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4Hawthorn - 7 proven useful properties and application rules
Anna Shelestun, nutritionist, nutritionist
Eliseeva Tatyana, editor-in-chief of the EdaPlus.info project
E-mail: shelestun.n@edaplus.info, eliseeva.t@edaplus.info,
Abstract. The article discusses the main properties of berries hawthorn and their impact on the human body. A systematic review of modern specialized literature and relevant scientific data was carried out. The chemical composition and nutritional value of berries are indicated, the use of hawthorn is considered in various types of medicine and the effectiveness of its use in various diseases. Potentially adverse effects of hawthorn were analyzed separately. on the human body under certain medical conditions and diseases.
Keywords: hawthorn, benefit, harm, beneficial properties, contraindications
Hawthorn ( glod ) is a plant that has been used in folk medicine since the 1st century to treat the cardiovascular system. In the 1800s, American doctors discovered that the fruit also helped with circulatory disorders and respiratory diseases. Today, not only berries are used for medicinal purposes, but also leaves and flowers. Some studies confirm their effectiveness in the fight against atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, mild to moderate heart failure.
The calorie content of hawthorn is 50 kcal per 100 g. Laboratory studies show that it contains saponins, flavonoids , glycosides, carotene, choline, tannins and organic acids - citric, malic, etc. The fruits contain many polyphenols, which are among the strongest plant antioxidants. They protect cells from free radicals and cancer.
Top 7 Health Benefits of Hawthorn 1. Has anti-inflammatory properties
Chronic inflammation contributes to asthma, diabetes, cancer and many other diseases. Berries prevent these processes that are dangerous to health and life, which turned out by chance when studying their effect on the liver. In other experiments, a natural remedy reduced asthma symptoms. [12]
Journal.edaplus.info - Журнал здорового питания и диетологии 2. Reduces blood pressure
In Chinese medicine, hawthorn is one of the main remedies for treating high blood pressure. Its effectiveness is related to its vasodilating effect - when blood vessels relax, blood pressure drops. In four clinical trials involving nearly 300 people, the plant extract (500-1200 mg/day) was effective in lowering blood pressure. [3, 4]
3. Reduces blood cholesterol levels
Fats are essential for the production of hormones and transport of nutrients throughout the body. But the high level of "bad" cholesterol, triglycerides provokes the formation of plaques in the vessels. They can completely block their lumen and lead to a heart attack, stroke. A study in mice showed that hawthorn lowered total cholesterol and triglycerides as well as pharmaceutical preparations. [5, 6]
4. Improves the work of the digestive tract
Berries have been used for centuries to treat the stomach - the fiber they contain reduces constipation and acts as a prebiotic (nourishes healthy intestinal bacteria). In animal studies, the substances in the fruit had the same protective effect on stomach ulcers as an anti -ulcer drug. [7, 8]
5. Prevents hair loss
Taking the extract internally can stimulate hair growth. Studies have also shown that the ingredients can increase the number of hair follicles. Scientists believe that polyphenols, powerful antioxidants, bring benefits to hair. [9]
6. Reduces Anxiety Symptoms
The sedative effect of hawthorn was discovered by accident - during studies related to lowering blood pressure. All participants in the experiment additionally decreased anxiety and symptoms of depression. Scientists suggest that the herbal extract can positively act on various disorders of the central nervous system without side effects. [10, 11]
7. Improves heart function
Berries are often used along with traditional medicines in the treatment of heart failure. Studies of less than 1,000 and more than 2,600 people with the condition have shown that those who take the herbal extract in addition to medication have better heart function and less shortness of breath. They are more tolerant of exercise and are less likely to suffer from heart palpitations. [12, 13, 14]
Contraindications for admission: harm and side effects
Hawthorn should not be taken by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. It should also be borne in mind that it does not stop an angina attack. If the duration of its intake is not of great importance (long-term administration even improves the general condition), then the dosage must be chosen meticulously - an overdose causes mild poisoning.
Side effects are extremely rare, but sometimes people complain of the following symptoms:
• headache, migraine;
• nausea;
• cardiopalmus;
• dizziness, weakness.
The herbal extract should be handled with care and only taken under medical supervision. Self-medication is especially dangerous while taking medication - hawthorn interacts with many of them:
• enhances the effect of beta-blockers - atenolol , metoprolol , propranolol , etc.;
• increases the effect of calcium channel blockers - norvasca, cardizem , nifedipine , etc.;
• lowers blood pressure too much when combined with drugs for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction;
• reduces the effectiveness of phenylephrine ;
• provokes dizziness, increases the likelihood of delirium in combination with nitrates. How much hawthorn to take: instructions for use
Hawthorn berry supplements are commonly made from the fruit, leaves, and flowers. Some contain only leaves and flowers because they have more antioxidants. Therefore, dosage recommendations depend on the form, brand. Often, patients are prescribed 250-500 mg three times a day. The average minimum effective dose of hawthorn extract for heart failure is 300 mg/day. But, no matter what recommendations the manufacturer gives, the doctor must select the correct dose.
How and when hawthorn is harvested, harvested and taken
The plant -based superfood has a tart-sweet taste, and its fruits range in color from light yellow to black. Jams, compotes, sweets, marshmallows, mashed potatoes, juice, pie fillings, as well as medicines and dietary supplements are made from berries . They are produced in the form of extracts, tinctures, non-standard and standardized capsules. Tea is made from dried berries, leaves, flowers.
Fruits can be independently collected from wild bushes and cultivars in August-September and harvested for the winter. They are dried, frozen or prepared from them in tincture, puree, marshmallow. Buying a supplement is much easier, but the production of dietary supplements is not regulated by law, so you should choose the manufacturer meticulously. The safest products are those that have been approved by independent organizations.
Expert comment
Tatyana Eliseeva, nutritionist, nutritionist
It should be borne in mind that people react differently to dietary supplements , and you should not count on a quick effect - the first positive results may appear only after 4-6 weeks of daily intake. But patience and attentive attitude to health will be more than rewarded - you will be able to protect your heart and blood vessels from damage.
Literature
1. Polyphenols from hawthorn peels and fleshes differently mitigate dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in association with modulation of liver injury in high fructose diet-fed mice, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27531227/
2. An extract of Crataegus pinnatifida fruit attenuates airway inflammation by modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in ovalbumin induced asthma, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23029210/
3. Antihypertensive effect of Iranian Crataegus curvisepala Lind.: a randomized, double-blind study, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15700749/
4. Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomized controlled trial, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1839018/
5. A study of the comparative effects of hawthorn fruit compound and simvastatin on lowering blood lipid levels, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19885950/
6. Hawthorn Fruit Extract Elevates Expression of Nrf2/HO-1 and Improves Lipid Profiles in Ovariectomized Rats, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27187458/
7. Anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective , free-radical-scavenging, and antimicrobial activities of hawthorn berries ethanol extract, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18698794/
8. Chemical constituents, antioxidant and gastrointestinal transit accelerating activities of dried fruit of Crataegus dahurica, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29291866/
9. Hair growth activity of Crataegus pinnatifida on C57BL/6 mouse model, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23148028/
10. A combination of plant extracts in the treatment of outpatients with adjustment disorder with anxious mood: controlled study versus placebo, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9107558/
11. Double-blind, randomised , placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts ( Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica ) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14741074/
12. Prospective, comparative cohort studies and their contribution to the benefit assessments of therapeutic options: heart failure treatment with and without Hawthorn special extract WS 1442, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15353901/
13. The efficacy and safety of Crataegus extract WS 1442 in patients with heart failure: the SPICE trial, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19019730/
14. Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18254076/
An extended HTML version of this article is available on the edaplus.info website. Hawthorn - 7 proven benefits and how to use it
Shelestun Anna, nutritionist
Eliseeva Tatyana, editor-in-chief of the project EdaPlus.info E-mail: shelestun.a@edaplus.info, eliseeva.t@edaplus.info
Received 23.11.2021
Abstract. The article discusses the main properties of berries hawthorn and their impact on the human body. A systematic review of modern specialized literature and relevant scientific data was carried out. The chemical composition and nutritional value of berries are indicated, the use of hawthorn is considered in various types of medicine and the effectiveness of its use in various diseases. Potentially adverse effects of hawthorn were analyzed separately. on the human body under certain medical conditions and diseases.
