Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) normalizes blood pressure; is beneficial to dieters and those with congestive heart failure; prevents premature ventricular contractions and hypoxia; has diuretic and antioxidant potential; lowers cholesterol; acts as a vasodilator; is an ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker, and anti-inflammatory; increases exercise tolerance; and reduces the incidence of tachycardia and palpitations
Dr. James Duke, botanist, says that when hawthorn is evaluated chemically, it appears that the herb covers most of the cardiovascular bases. For example, it contains a calcium-antagonist (magnesium), ACE inhibitors (procyanidins), and beta-blockers (catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins), plus numerous diuretics, cholesterol-lowering compounds, anti-inflammatories, and antioxidants (Duke 2000b).

The hawthorn is considered a smart herb with adaptogenic qualities in regard to normalizing blood pressure. Hawthorn gains much of its hypotensive and weight management properties through its diuretic action. Also, its ACE inhibiting factors interrupt the renin-angiotensin sequence, resulting in lower blood pressure and improved cardiac output (Duke 2000b). Clinicians compare the effectiveness of hawthorn to Captopril, a drug prescribed for congestive heart failure (CHF) and hypertension that also works by inhibiting ACE. (Hawthorn, although helpful in blood pressure management, should not be regarded as the sole therapeutic for hypertension.)

The bioflavonoid content of hawthorn appears to be responsible for much of the herb's cardiac potential, that is, dilating blood vessels, enhancing vitamin C absorption, and protecting against vascular breaks or leaks. Bioflavonoids are powerful antioxidants that not only protect against free-radical damage, but also increase oxygen delivery and blood flow to the heart. This reduces the effort and stress imposed upon the heart to circulate blood, and as an additional bonus, a reduction in blood pressure usually occurs. The risk of stroke was, in fact, 73% lower among individuals who consumed greater amounts of flavonoid-rich foods compared to individuals who consumed less (Keli et al. 1996; Roanoke Times 1996).

During the Middle Ages, hawthorn was used to treat dropsy, a condition now recognized as CHF. Today, European physicians still use hawthorn to treat early signs of CHF, relying upon the herb to strengthen the heart and the power of cardiac contractions. Drugs that have the ability to power up the heart can cause cardiac irregularities; conversely, it appears hawthorn can energize the heart without prompting arrhythmias. Hawthorn, in fact, has a normalizing effect upon the heartbeat, lessening the incidence of tachycardia (a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute) and palpitations (Santillo 1990).

Studies confirm the multiplicity of hawthorn's actions:

Various clinicians report an excellent patient response, treating valvular insufficiency, heart fibrillations, and hypoxia with hawthorn (Santillo 1990; Ritchason 1995; Duke 1997).
Hawthorn appears to stabilize heart rhythm and increase exercise tolerance (Duke 1997). Problem-free exercise occurs as the heart becomes stronger and less taxed by exertion.
Hawthorn reduces cholesterol levels and the size of existing atherosclerotic plaque (Wegrowski 1984).
Hawthorn is best used long-term because the active constituents do not produce rapid results. It may take 4-8 weeks for improvement in subjective complaints and increased exercise tolerance. Although it is regarded as gentle and safe for chronic usage, a physician should evaluate the patient's drug list before adding hawthorn to the total package.

Strengthening Cerebral Vasculature
The skin of thick-skinned berries such as cherries and grapes, the seeds of grapes, and the skin, leaf, and flower of the hawthorn tree are all naturally rich sources of a potent antioxidant called oligomeric proanthocyanadins (OPC). These naturally occurring antioxidant flavonoids are tissue specific for strengthening the walls of arteries and thereby reducing the risk of recurring aneurysms and hemorrhagic strokes. In addition to antioxidant protection, OPCs also support collagen and help maintain elastin throughout the entire body. These two critical proteins are major components of all our connective tissues and organs. They are responsible for maintaining structural integrity as well as the elasticity of all the tissues throughout your body. This includes joints, blood vessels, skin, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and even the heart.

By maintaining healthy levels of structural collagen and elastin, our bodies are able to continue to function more efficiently and maintain their youthful strength and flexibility longer. OPCs attach to "reactive sites" on collagen molecules and protect them from free radical attack. This is one of the reasons they are so protective and so valuable for the circulatory system (Laperra et al. 1977; Thebaut et al. 1985; Blazso et al. 1997; Rohdewald 1998; Packer et al. 1999). As noted earlier, oligomeric proanthocyanadins are found in grape seeds, hawthorn tree skin, leaf, and flowers, thick-skinned berries, and the inner rind of citrus fruit.