Hawthorn: Properties and Uses of Crataegus monogyna

Discovering the Benefits of Hawthorn, Its Contraindications, and Uses in Herbal Medicine

Hawthorn, scientifically known as Crataegus monogyna, is a wild shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. This plant, which grows easily in various areas, is known for its beneficial properties, particularly its positive effect on the heart and circulatory system. The parts used for therapeutic purposes are mainly the leaves and flowers, harvested during flowering. In this article, we will explore in detail the characteristics of hawthorn, its active ingredients, healing properties, and various uses in phytotherapy, with attention to any contraindications and precautions for use.

Hawthorn: What Is It?

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), also known as white thorn or may thorn, is a shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. This plant, whose botanical name derives from the Greek "kràtaigos" (strength and robustness), grows spontaneously in the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere, including Italy, preferring moist soils and cool environments.

In herbal medicine, hawthorn is widely used for its numerous beneficial properties, known since ancient times. The parts of the plant used for therapeutic purposes are mainly leaves, flowers, and fruits, harvested at different times of the year. The white flowers, which bloom between April and May, were traditionally associated with hope and fertility, so much so that they were used to adorn the hairstyles and dresses of brides. The red berries, on the other hand, ripen towards the end of summer and remain available throughout the cold season.

In addition to its phytotherapeutic use, hawthorn is also used as an ornamental plant and, in the past, was cultivated to create defensive hedges thanks to its thorny branches. The fruits can also be used in the food industry for the preparation of syrups, jellies, and flours. Thanks to its phytocomplex, hawthorn offers multiple benefits for the body, particularly for the well-being of the heart and circulatory system, making it a valuable plant in natural medicine.

Plant

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a shrub or small tree belonging to the Rosaceae family, very branched and thorny. It can reach a height between 50 centimeters and 6 meters. Let's look at its botanical characteristics together:

Habit and Bark:

• Bushy and thorny shrub, rarely exceeding 5 meters in height
• Compact bark, gray-yellowish in color that darkens with age
• Young branches equipped with thorns at the base of short twigs (brooches)

Leaves:

• Petiolate and rhomboid in shape
• 2-6 centimeters long, with deeply incised and toothed lobes
• Deciduous

Flowers:

• Small and white-pinkish, grouped in corymbs of 5 to 25 flowers
• Petals 5-6 millimeters long
• Bloom in spring (April-May)
• Very fragrant

Fruits:

• False fruits, oval-shaped and red when ripe
• About 1 centimeter in size
• Contain the true fruit in the form of 1 or 2 seeds
• Ripen between September and October, remaining on the shrub even during winter

Habitat and Distribution:

• Found in Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, North Africa, and North America
• Grows at the edges of woods, in clearings, and undergrowth
• Prefers calcareous soils and is found from the plains up to 1,500 meters altitude

Cultivation and Propagation:

• Can be propagated by seed (with a dormancy period of about 18 months), cuttings, or root suckers
• In some regions of northern Italy, the commercialization and planting of new plants is prohibited as it is considered a vector for the spread of the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, responsible for "fire blight" in orchards.

Active Ingredients

Hawthorn contains a phytocomplex rich in active ingredients, including:

Flavonoids:

• Hyperoside
• Vitexin
• Luteolin
• Rutin
• Quercetin
• Apigenin

Pentacyclic triterpenic acids:

• Ursolic acid
• Crategolic acid
• Oleanolic acid
• Acantholic acid
• Neotegolic acid

Other chemical constituents:

• Leucoanthocyanidins
• Phenolcarboxylic acids
• Sterols
• Amines
• Aminopurines

These active ingredients give hawthorn cardiotonic, vasodilatory, and sedative properties, making it a valuable ally for cardiovascular health.

Hawthorn: Properties

Hawthorn is known for its multiple beneficial properties, making it a valuable ally for health. Here is a list of the main properties of this plant:

• Cardiotonic action: Hawthorn has a positive effect on cardiac function, improving myocardial contractility and increasing the heart's contraction strength. This property is mainly attributed to the proanthocyanidins contained in the plant.
• Antihypertensive activity: The flavonoids present in hawthorn help reduce blood pressure by acting as vasodilators and promoting better blood circulation. This property is particularly useful in cases of mild to moderate hypertension.
• Sedative effect: Hawthorn also has a calming effect on the central nervous system, thanks to the presence of tannins and flavonoids. This property can be used to reduce anxiety, stress, and improve sleep quality.
• Antioxidant action: The flavonoids contained in hawthorn, such as quercetin, are powerful antioxidants capable of counteracting the action of free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative stress. This property is important for the prevention of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
• Antiarrhythmic effect: Hawthorn can help regulate heart rhythm, reducing palpitations and arrhythmias. This property is linked to the action of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins on the heart's electrical conduction.
• Antiplatelet activity: Some studies suggest that the flavonoids present in hawthorn may inhibit platelet aggregation, reducing the risk of thrombus formation and improving blood fluidity.

These properties make hawthorn a valuable support for cardiovascular well-being, particularly in cases of mild heart disorders, hypertension, and anxiety. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or a qualified herbalist before starting treatment with this plant.

Benefits of Hawthorn

The benefits of hawthorn are numerous and mainly concern the health of the heart and cardiovascular system. Thanks to its phytocomplex rich in active ingredients, this plant offers valuable support for the well-being of the body. Here is a list of the main benefits associated with hawthorn:

• Support for cardiac function: Hawthorn acts as a cardio-tonic, improving myocardial contractility and increasing the heart's contraction strength. This effect is mainly attributed to the proanthocyanidins contained in the plant, which promote a positive inotropic action and reduce oxygen consumption by the heart muscle.
• Regulation of blood pressure: The flavonoids present in hawthorn, such as vitexin and hyperoside, help reduce blood pressure by acting as vasodilators of the abdominal and coronary blood vessels. This property makes hawthorn useful in treating mild to moderate hypertension.
• Reduction of anxiety and stress: Thanks to its sedative action on the central nervous system, hawthorn can be used to relieve states of agitation, distress, and anxiety. The tannins and flavonoids in the plant promote a calming effect, also helping to improve sleep quality in cases of insomnia.
• Antiarrhythmic action: Hawthorn can help regulate heart rhythm, reducing palpitations and arrhythmias. This property is linked to the action of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins on the heart's electrical conduction, modulating intracellular calcium concentration.
• Antioxidant protection: The powerful antioxidants present in hawthorn, such as quercetin and rutin, counteract the action of free radicals and protect cells from oxidative stress. This property is important for the prevention of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.

Hawthorn proves to be a valuable ally for the well-being of the heart and circulatory system, offering natural support in cases of mild heart disorders, hypertension, anxiety, and stress. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or a qualified herbalist before starting treatment with this plant, to assess its suitability based on your health conditions.

Uses of Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a versatile plant that finds application in various fields, thanks to its multiple beneficial properties. Here is a list of the main uses of this precious plant:

• Therapeutic use: Hawthorn is widely used in phytotherapy for the treatment of mild cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension, palpitations, and arrhythmias. Its cardiotonic, vasodilatory, and sedative properties make it a valuable support for the well-being of the heart and circulatory system. The therapeutic use of hawthorn will be explored in detail in the next paragraph.
• Cosmetic use: Hawthorn flowers can be used to prepare relaxing baths, thanks to their calming action on the nervous system. Adding a handful of dried flowers to bathwater promotes relaxation and helps combat stress and anxiety.
• Food use: The red berries of hawthorn, called "haws," can be used in cooking to make jams, compotes, and jellies. These fruits, with their sweet-tart flavor, pair well with other types of fruit to create tasty preserves.
• Beekeeping use: Hawthorn is a plant highly visited by bees, thanks to its fragrant flowers rich in nectar. However, the production of monofloral hawthorn honey is quite rare, as this plant is often in the minority compared to other melliferous species in the area.
• Ornamental use: Thanks to its bushy habit and abundant flowering, hawthorn is appreciated as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. In the past, it was also used to create defensive hedges, taking advantage of its thorny branches that formed an almost impenetrable barrier.
• Fuel use: Hawthorn wood, dense and heavy, is an excellent fuel for burning. This use, however, is less common compared to other applications of the plant.

Therapeutic Uses of Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a medicinal plant widely used in phytotherapy for its multiple beneficial properties, particularly for supporting cardiovascular well-being. The therapeutic uses of hawthorn are based on its phytocomplex rich in active ingredients, including flavonoids, pentacyclic triterpenic acids, and proanthocyanidins. Here is an in-depth look at the therapeutic applications of this precious plant:

Mild Cardiovascular Disorders:

Hawthorn is used in the treatment of mild heart problems, thanks to its cardiotonic action and its ability to regulate blood pressure. It can be used as support in cases of:

• Mild heart failure: improves myocardial contractility and the heart's contraction strength.
• Mild to moderate hypertension: acts as a vasodilator, promoting better blood circulation.
• Palpitations and arrhythmias: helps regulate the heart rhythm, reducing anomalies in the heart's electrical conduction.

Anxiety and Sleep Disorders:

Thanks to its sedative action on the central nervous system, hawthorn can be used to alleviate states of agitation, stress, and anxiety.

It also helps improve sleep quality in cases of insomnia or difficulty falling asleep.

Menopause

Taking hawthorn can be useful during menopause to counteract the disorders associated with this phase of life, such as hot flashes, palpitations, and mood swings.

How to Take Hawthorn?

Hawthorn can be taken in various forms, depending on individual preferences and the recommendations of a doctor or herbalist. The main ways of taking it are:

• Infusion or decoction: prepared with dried hawthorn leaves and flowers, to be taken two or three times a day.
• Mother tincture: hydroalcoholic extract to be diluted in water and taken according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Capsules or tablets: supplements based on standardized dry extract, with a standardized dosage of active ingredients.
• Drops: concentrated liquid extract, known as "hawthorn drops," to be diluted in water and taken according to instructions.

It is essential to always follow the recommendations of a qualified professional to determine the most suitable form and dosage for your needs.

In addition to hawthorn, there are other medicinal plants with sedative and relaxing properties that can be used synergistically to promote psychophysical well-being. These include chamomile, lemon balm, passionflower, valerian, and linden. These plants can be taken individually or in combination, in the form of infusions, tinctures, or supplements, always under the advice of an expert.

Hawthorn: Contraindications

Despite the numerous benefits of hawthorn, it is important to be aware of its possible contraindications and warnings.

The use of this plant for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders should always be done under the guidance and strict supervision of a doctor. It is necessary for the doctor to regularly monitor the heart rate and blood pressure of patients undergoing hawthorn treatment. If no improvements are noticed after six weeks or if edema in the lower limbs or chest pain occurs, it is essential to stop taking the product and immediately contact a doctor.

The use of hawthorn is contraindicated in cases of known hypersensitivity to one or more components, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children under 12 years of age. Additionally, it should be used with caution in the presence of bradycardia (heart rate below 60 beats per minute) and in disorders of the heart's electrical conduction.

It is important to remember that, although these are natural remedies, hawthorn and its preparations should not be used indiscriminately. The possibility of using them should always be discussed with your doctor or a specialist. Heart diseases are serious issues that require a careful and targeted approach, avoiding self-medication.

Any unexpected effects or discomfort that may arise after taking hawthorn, such as an increase in angina attacks, intensification of pain, or greater fatigue during physical activity, should be reported to your doctor. In general, the use of dietary supplements, even those based on common herbs or spices, should only be undertaken after consulting your family doctor, especially in the presence of pre-existing health problems or an actual deficiency of certain nutrients.

Side Effects and Drug Interactions

Hawthorn is generally well tolerated and side effects are rare. However, like all medicinal herbs and natural remedies, hawthorn can cause some unwanted effects in sensitive or predisposed individuals. The most common issues involve the gastrointestinal system, such as nausea, especially in patients with gastritis or peptic ulcer. These symptoms, however, tend to disappear with the discontinuation of hawthorn intake.

In some cases, the use of this plant can trigger headaches, migraines, dizziness, vertigo, and palpitations in predisposed individuals or those suffering from certain conditions. Other reported side effects include hot flashes, shortness of breath, and flatulence.

Regarding drug interactions, hawthorn can interfere with the activity of several medications. In particular, it can enhance the effect of antiplatelet agents, increasing the risk of bleeding, and cardioactive glycosides, such as digoxin, amplifying their action on the heart. Additionally, hawthorn can interact with antiarrhythmics, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, used to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Finally, it appears that hawthorn berry extracts may reduce the effectiveness of phenylephrine, an active ingredient commonly used in nasal decongestants. It is also not possible to rule out a potential interaction with medications for erectile dysfunction, such as 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors, increasing the risk of low blood pressure, or with nitrates, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness.

In conclusion, although hawthorn is considered a safe natural remedy, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before starting to take it, especially in the presence of pre-existing conditions or if you are already taking other medications. Following prescribed therapies and maintaining a healthy lifestyle remains the best way to take care of your health.

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