6 Health Benefits of Hawthorn

 6 Health Benefits of Hawthorn

Hawthorn helps reduce blood pressure and inflammation, has a good effect on the kidneys and the 

cardiovascular system. Find out what other benefits it can bring to the body

Hawthorn

Leaves, flowers and berries of hawthorn are used in herbal medicine: tinctures, additives, fruit drinks are made from them. And from the fruits of the shrub, delicious jams, pie fillings and sauces are obtained.

What you need to know

Hawthorn is a long-lived shrub that can grow up to 400 years. Its fruits and leaves have been widely used in Chinese medicine as a primary remedy for high blood pressure [1] , and the first study on the effect on heart disease was published in 1896 [2] .

Hawthorn usually blooms from June to August, the fruits ripen in autumn. Shrub flowers are harvested in dry weather and left to dry naturally under sheds or with the help of special devices. To pick the berries, you need to wait for them to fully ripen, because after picking they do not "reach" the required stage. They are dried in special warm rooms or dryers.

The benefits of hawthorn

Hawthorn helps to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and also normalizes digestion.

Rich in Antioxidants

Hawthorn berries are an excellent source of polyphenols, powerful antioxidant compounds [3] that neutralize free radicals that can lead to oxidative stress. Polyphenols also reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, asthma and premature aging [4] .

May help reduce inflammation

Studies have shown that chronic inflammation leads to the development of type 2 diabetes, asthma and some types of cancer [5] .

As part of the experiment, mice with liver disease were given an extract of hawthorn berries. It turned out that this significantly reduced the level of inflammatory compounds and, as a result, organ damage [6] .

In another study, mice with respiratory problems were given vitexin, a compound found in hawthorn leaves. Thanks to this, it was possible to reduce the production of molecules that cause inflammation, and reduce the reaction of white blood cells to it [7] . More data is needed for final conclusions.

May lower blood pressure

Animal studies show that hawthorn may act as a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes constricted blood vessels, ultimately lowering blood pressure [8] .

For 10 weeks, 36 people with moderately high blood pressure took 500 mg of hawthorn extract daily. As a result, their diastolic blood pressure decreased [9] .

In another study, 79 participants with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure took 1200 mg of hawthorn extract every day for 16 weeks. Their performance improved compared to the placebo group [10] . But in order to use hawthorn extract as a medicine for high blood pressure, more experiments and data are needed.

May lower blood cholesterol levels

Some studies show that hawthorn extract lowers blood cholesterol levels due to its content of flavonoids and pectins [11] .

High triglyceride levels and low HDL (“good” cholesterol) levels can cause atherosclerosis or plaque formation in blood vessels [12] . Plaque completely clogs a blood vessel, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Mice treated with two doses of hawthorn extract had reduced levels of total cholesterol and LDL - "bad" cholesterol [13] .

Rats given hawthorn berry supplements for six weeks had lower levels of triglycerides and "bad" cholesterol [14] .

Another 6-month study in 64 people with atherosclerosis showed that taking hawthorn extract significantly reduced the thickness of plaques in the carotid artery [15] .

But in order to include hawthorn in the official list of drugs for the treatment of vascular diseases, more thorough research is needed.

Helps normalize digestion

Hawthorn berries contain fiber , which improves metabolism, reduces the risk of constipation, and also acts as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are foods that feed and promote healthy gut bacteria vital for normal digestion [16] .

In rats given hawthorn extract, the time of passage of food through the intestines was significantly reduced [17] .

Also, the compounds in hawthorn berries are able to enhance the production and activity of digestive enzymes necessary for the digestion of fatty and protein-rich foods [8] .

Has rejuvenating properties

Hawthorn berries can prevent premature skin aging caused by collagen depletion due to overexposure to the sun or ultraviolet radiation.

One study showed that a mixture of hawthorn and ginseng extracts prevented the formation of wrinkles due to the fact that it moisturizes the skin [18] .

This is also likely due to the content of antioxidants in hawthorn berries.