Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA
9/21/04
USER: Men and post-menopausal women; People with family history of heart disease; Athletes
KEY INGREDIENT(S): Hawthorn Leaf and Flower Extract,Hawthorn Berry Powder
POTENTIAL BENEFITS: Hawthorn (crataegus oxyacantha) is naturally rich in certain antioxidants: procyanidins, flavonoids and flavonols. These active compounds in hawthorn encourage normal blood flow throughout the cardiovascular system by lowering the resistance to blood flow in peripheral blood vessels, improving coronary artery blood flow and strengthening of the contractions of the heart muscle.
People with congestive heart failure* taking 160900 mg of hawthorn extract per day for eight weeks showed improved quality of life including greater ability to exercise without shortness of breath and exhaustion in clinical trials.
(NOTE: *congestive heart failure is a serious medical condition that requires medical supervision! This formula is not meant to treat any form of heart disease.)
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES: Herbalgram states that the herb is safe and effective for cardiovascular benefits: www.herbalgram.org
DOSE: 160 mg. a day to 900 mg. per day of the extract may be used
COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTS: Hawthorn is often combined with conventional cardiovascular medications (such as digitalis and oubain) to speed up cardiac compensation and prevent the indigestion and nausea associated with said treatments. It is additionally used as a sedative, antispasmodic, and as a general source of flavonoids (Upton et al., 1999b).
Other supplements used as cardiotonics include Vitamin E, CoQ10, Magnesium, antioxidants, garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, L-carnitine and fish oil.
CAUTIONS: Pregnant and lactating women and people using prescription drugs should consult their physician before taking any dietary supplement. But no cautions have been noted to date for pregnant or nursing women using hawthorn. There have been reports of a possible interaction with digitalis, but these have not been confirmed in good studies.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
REFERENCES
1. Weihmayr T, Ernst E. Therapeutic effectiveness of Crataegus.
Fortschr Med 1996;114:279
2. Schmidt U, Kuhn U, Ploch M, H+-+bner W-D. Efficacy of the Hawthorn (Crataegus) preparation LI 132 in 78 patients with chronic congestive heart failure defined as NYHA functional class II.
Phytomed 1994;1:1724.
3. Leuchtgens H. Crataegus special extract WS 1442 in heart failure, NYHA II. A placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study.
Fortschr Med 1993;111:3524.
4. Weikl A, Assmus KD, Neukum-Schmidt A, et al. Crataegus special extract WS 1442: Objective proof of efficacy in patients with cardiac insufficiency (NYHA II).
Fortschr Med 1996;114:2916.
5. Tauchert M, Ploch M, H+-+bner W-D. Effectiveness of hawthorn extract LI 132 compared with the ACE inhibitor Captopril: Multicenter double-blind study with 132 patients NYHA stage II.
M+-+nch Med Wochenschr 1994;132(suppl):S2733.
6. Weikl A, Noh HS. The influence of Crataegus on global cardiac insufficiency.
Herz Gefabe 1993;11:51624.
7. Loew D. Pharmacological and clinical results with Crataegus special extracts in cardiac insufficiency.
ESCOP Phytotelegram 1994;6:206.