Rosaceae
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata
The foremost heart tonic of Western herbalism — a gentle, food-like remedy that supports cardiac muscle, circulation and emotional ease.
- Also known as
- May tree, Whitethorn
- Parts used
- Leaf, Flower, Berry
- Taste
- Sour, Sweet
- Energetics
- Neutral · Neutral
- Sourcing
- Cultivated & wild
Actions
CardiotonicHypotensive (mild)AntioxidantCoronary vasodilatorNervine (heart)
Traditional use
Dioscorides recorded hawthorn in the first century. In European folklore the tree guarded thresholds and was tied to the heart and to love.
Irish physician Dr. Green made a fortune in the 1890s with a secret heart remedy later revealed to be hawthorn berry tincture.
Research
Improves symptoms in chronic heart failure
ClinicalA Cochrane review of 14 trials found hawthorn extract improved maximal workload, exercise tolerance and symptoms as an adjunct to standard therapy.
Pittler MH, Guo R, Ernst E. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(1):CD005312.
Key constituents
- Oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs)
- Concentrated in leaf and flower; improve coronary blood flow.
- Flavonoids (vitexin, hyperoside)
- Positive inotropic and antioxidant effects.
Sourcing notes
Abundant hedgerow tree — sustainable wild harvest is generally low-risk.
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