Hawthorn

Common Names: Hawthorn, English Hawthorn, One-seed Hawthorn, May tree

Latin Names: Crataegus, Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus laevigata 

Description

Hawthorn is a plant of the Rosaceae family. It grows in temperate regions throughout the world and has uses during all four seasons. Hawthorn has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases since 659 AD. In addition, according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, it promotes digestion and circulation of blood to dissipate blood stasis. Hawthorn has continued to be used for both medicinal and edible purposes to this day. (2)  

Health Benefits

Hawthorn is praised for its richness in bioactive substances. Preparations derived from it are used to formulate dietary supplements, functional foods, and pharmaceutical products. Hawthorn is rich in amino acids, minerals, pectin, vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, and choline. Certain studies have shown that Hawthorn has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-cardiovascular disease, and digestive enhancing properties. (3) The use of Hawthorn has continued to grow, with more scientific studies backing it. 

Side Effects

While Hawthorn is generally considered safe, it has potential side effects. The most common side effect is dizziness, as well as potential nausea, and digestive symptoms. As with any supplement, it’s recommended to consult a healthcare professional before beginning Hawthorn supplementation, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications. 

Sources

(1)   “Hawthorn.” NCCIH, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/hawthorn.

(2)   Wu, Min et al. “Roles and Mechanisms of Hawthorn and Its Extracts on Atherosclerosis: A Review.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 11 118. 21 Feb. 2020, doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00118

(3) Zhang, Juan et al. “Food Applications and Potential Health Benefits of Hawthorn.” Foods (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 11,18 2861. 15 Sep. 2022, doi:10.3390/foods11182861