Evidence supporting the use of: Hawthorn
For the health condition: Cardiovascular Disease

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) has a long history of use in traditional European medicine for the management of cardiovascular conditions, particularly heart failure and hypertension. In modern times, its use is supported by a moderate body of scientific evidence, primarily from clinical trials and meta-analyses. Hawthorn extracts contain various bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins, which are believed to confer cardioprotective effects through antioxidant activity, vasodilation, and positive inotropic (heart muscle strengthening) actions.

Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that standardized hawthorn extracts can modestly improve symptoms and exercise tolerance in patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure (NYHA class II-III). Meta-analyses, such as a 2008 Cochrane Review, reported improvements in symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath, and in objective measures such as maximal workload and left ventricular ejection fraction. However, the effect sizes tend to be small, and the quality of the studies is variable.

Data on hawthorn for other cardiovascular indications, such as hypertension, are less robust and more preliminary. While generally considered safe, hawthorn can interact with conventional cardiovascular medications.

In summary, hawthorn’s use for cardiovascular disease is supported by both tradition and a moderate level of scientific evidence. It may provide symptomatic benefit in heart failure, but should not replace standard medical care. Further high-quality research is needed to clarify its efficacy and safety.

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