Traditional medicine widely uses the flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant to treat irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. Its berries are used to treat insomnia, nervousness, indigestion, and gas. They can also alleviate abdominal distention, kidney problems, and sore throat.
Keeps Cholesterol in Check
Cholesterol occurs naturally in the body as a building block for cell membranes and hormones. However, too much cholesterol in the blood can cause it to stick to the walls of arteries, obstructing blood flow.
The liver regulates cholesterol levels in blood. Hawthorn can increase the rate at which the liver converts low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (bad, artery-clogging cholesterol) into high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (good, artery-clearing cholesterol).
Protects Against Atherosclerosis
Antioxidant in hawthorn include oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), the strong antioxidants found in grapes. Hawthorn’s antioxidant properties help to protect against cell damage and the formation of plaques due to cholesterol accumulated in blood vessels, otherwise known as atherosclerosis.
Phenolic compounds in hawthorn show an ability to prevent oxidation of LDL and alpha-tocopherol in LDL. These abilities contribute to atherosclerosis prevention.
Maintains Smooth Blood Flow
Hawthorn is rich in flavonoids that help strengthen the structure of collagen in blood vessels, preventing plaque building up in them and improving blood flow.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Hawthorn can help to decrease blood pressures by dilating blood vessels. It may also reduce production of angiotensin II, a hormone that raises blood pressure by constricting blood vessels.
One study found that hawthorn extract helped type 2 diabetes patients on medication. Participants took 1200 mg of hawthorn extract or placebo daily for 16 weeks. Those who took hawthorn had lower blood pressure than those taking the placebo.
Relieves Heart Conditions
In German clinical studies, patients with stable angina receiving 60 mg of hawthorn three times a day showed increased blood flow to the heart and more efficient use of oxygen by the myocardium
Fights Cancer
Studies show that rutin, a flavonoid in hawthorn, accelerates the death of leukemia and Burkitt lymphoma cells. hawthorn also contains compounds that deactivate plasmin, an enzyme that causes cancerous tumors to spread.
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