What Is Hawthorn? Other Names: Aubepine, Bianco Spino, Crataegus laevigata

What is Hawthorn?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Hawthorn, scientifically known as Crataegus laevigata, is a plant whose leaves, flowers, and berries have been traditionally used in herbal medicine. It is particularly noted for its potential benefits in treating cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension and heart failure. This article explores the various aspects of hawthorn, including its medicinal uses, effectiveness, and potential side effects. Other names include: Aubepine, Aubépine, Aubépine Blanche, Aubépine Épineuse, Bianco Spino, Bois de Mai, Cenellier, Chinese Hawthorn, Crataegi Flos, Crataegi Folium, Crataegi Folium Cum Flore, Crataegi Fructus, Crataegus cuneata, Crataegus kulingensis, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus mexicana, Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus oxyacantha, Crataegus pentagyna, Crataegus pinnatifida, Crataegus rhipidophylla, English Hawthorn, Epine Blanche, Epine de Mai, Espino Blanco, Fructus Crataegi, Haagdorn, Hagedorn, Harthorne, Haw, Hawthrone, Hedgethorn, LI 132, LI132, Manzanita, May, Maybush, Maythorn, Mehlbeebaum, Meidorn, Mespilus laevigata, Mexican Hawthorn, Nan Shanzha, Noble Épine, Oneseed Hawthorn, Poire d’Oiseaux, Raiz de Tejocote, Sable Épine, Shanzha, Shen Zha, Tejocote, Tejocotera, Weissdorn, Whitehorn, WS 1442, WS1442.

Medicinal Uses of Hawthorn

Hawthorn has been widely used by herbal practitioners to manage hypertension, especially in patients who are already on prescribed medications. A randomized controlled trial conducted in the UK demonstrated that hawthorn extract could significantly reduce diastolic blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes who were also taking hypotensive drugs1. This suggests that hawthorn may be a beneficial adjunct therapy for managing blood pressure.

Effectiveness in Hypertension

The hypotensive effects of hawthorn have been supported by clinical studies. For instance, a study involving 79 patients with type 2 diabetes showed that those who took 1200 mg of hawthorn extract daily for 16 weeks experienced a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure compared to the placebo group1. Another study evaluated a dietary supplement containing hawthorn among other ingredients and found that it significantly decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with high-normal blood pressure or stage I hypertension3.

Psychological and Stress-Relief Benefits

Beyond its cardiovascular benefits, hawthorn has also been studied for its potential effects on psychological well-being. A study on a multi-herb extract preparation containing hawthorn showed that it could reduce anxiety and improve stress responses in healthy individuals5. Participants who took the herbal preparation reported lower levels of tension and anxiety, as well as reduced physiological stress markers such as salivary alpha-amylase and galvanic skin response.

Safety and Side Effects

Hawthorn is generally considered safe when used appropriately. In the studies reviewed, no significant herb-drug interactions were found, and minor health complaints were reduced from baseline in both the hawthorn and placebo groups1. However, it is always advisable for patients to consult healthcare providers before starting any new supplement, especially if they are already on medication.

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Adverse Effects of Hawthorn

Cardiovascular Effects

Bleeding Risk: Hawthorn extract has been shown to increase the tendency of bleeding, particularly in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. This suggests that hawthorn has blood-thinning properties and should be used cautiously with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs or before major cardiac surgery3.

Electrocardiographic Parameters: A study on healthy volunteers found that a single dose of hawthorn did not significantly affect electrocardiographic parameters, indicating no immediate adverse cardiovascular effects in healthy individuals2.

Gastrointestinal Effects

Bloating and Nausea: In a study on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients, two individuals reported aggravated bloating and nausea in the early days of taking hawthorn syrup5 7.

Hepatorenal Effects

Liver and Kidney Function: Studies on GERD patients found no adverse effects of hawthorn on liver and kidney functions, as measured by ALT, AST, BUN, and creatinine levels5 7.

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How has Hawthorn Improved Patient Outcomes?

Hypertension and Cardiovascular Health

Blood Pressure Reduction: Hawthorn extract has been found to significantly reduce diastolic blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes who are also taking prescribed medications. In a randomized controlled trial, the hawthorn group showed greater reductions in diastolic blood pressure compared to the placebo group1. Another study on patients with stage I hypertension demonstrated that hawthorn extract significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure over a 12-week period3.

Lipid Profile Improvement: The same study on stage I hypertension patients also found that hawthorn extract significantly increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, although there were no significant changes in triglycerides3.

Antioxidant and Blood-Thinning Properties: Hawthorn extract has been shown to possess antioxidant effects and blood-thinning properties, which could be beneficial for cardiovascular health. However, caution is advised when using hawthorn with other anticoagulation or antiplatelet drugs2.

Gastrointestinal Function

Functional Dyspepsia: Both raw and charred hawthorn have been found to improve symptoms of functional dyspepsia in rat models. These improvements include increased body weight, enhanced gastric emptying rate, and improved intestinal propulsive rate. The treatments also promoted the secretion of motilin, gastrin, and serotonin, which are important for gastrointestinal motility. Charred hawthorn was found to be more effective than raw hawthorn in these aspects4.

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Hawthorn Mechanisms of Action

Digestive Health

Hawthorn, particularly in its charred form, has been shown to alleviate high-calorie-diet-induced dyspepsia (HC-DID) by modulating the “Brain-Gut” axis and gut flora. It regulates body weight, food intake, gastrointestinal motility, and the secretion of brain-gut peptides. Additionally, it helps correct intestinal dysbiosis caused by a high-calorie diet1 3. The SCF/c-Kit pathway is also involved in its digestive benefits, where hawthorn affects the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract to alleviate dyspepsia symptoms3.

Cardiovascular Health

Hawthorn leaves flavonoids (HLF) have cardiotonic, cardioprotective, and vascular protective effects. They help in reversing cardiac remodeling induced by simulated microgravity by enhancing the NPRA-cGMP-PKG pathway and suppressing the calcineurin-NFAT pathway2. Hawthorn fruit also exhibits hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities, reducing atherosclerotic lesions and improving lipid profiles and antioxidant enzyme activities in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice4.

Metabolic Health

Hawthorn extracts have demonstrated hypoglycemic effects in type II diabetic rat models by lowering triglyceride and total cholesterol serum levels, decreasing blood glucose levels, and increasing plasma insulin release5.

Immune Modulation

Hawthorn vinegar has shown potential in boosting immunity and general health. It affects various immunological markers, although the effects on specific cytokines like IL-1β and TNF-α were not statistically significant6. In a heart failure model, hawthorn extract did not significantly affect immunomodulatory markers, suggesting that its benefits in heart failure might be mediated through non-immunological mechanisms7.

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Common Complaints Associated with Hawthorn Use

Minor Health Complaints: The study noted that minor health complaints were reduced from baseline in both the hawthorn and placebo groups, indicating that hawthorn did not increase minor health issues during the trial period1.

No Significant Herb-Drug Interactions: Importantly, the study found no significant herb-drug interactions, suggesting that hawthorn can be safely used alongside prescribed medications for diabetes and hypertension without causing adverse interactions1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate attention from a healthcare provider.