Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha L.)
Table of contents
- Brand Names
- Drug Combinations
- Pharmacologic Category
- Mechanism of Action
- Therapeutic Use
- Pregnancy and Lactation Implications
- Contraindications
- Warnings and Precautions
- Toxicological Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Nutrition/Nutraceutical Interactions
Brand Names
Europe
Bulgaria: Tinctura Crataegi; Germany: Weißdorn, Bomacorin, Cardivitral, Chronocard N, Cordapur Novo, Coregan, Craegium, Cratae-loges, Crataegus, Crataegutt, Crataegysat N, Crataenova, Doppelstern Herzstärkungs, Esbericard Novo, Fucardival N, Koro-Nyhadin, Koronyha, Ky-Cor f, Ky-Cor Novo, Lomacard, Natucor, Orthangin novo, Oxacant Mono, Presselin, Protecor, Sankt Michael, SE Weißdorn, Senicor N Tropfen, Speldorfer Herztropfen TR, Stenocrat Mono, Valverde Herz, Weissdorn; Greece: Kwai; Latvia: Cardiplant, Chronocard N, Doppelherz Aktiv Cardiovital, Crataegi, Hawthorn; Lithuania: Chronocard N; Netherlands: Crataegus oxyacantha.
North America
Canada: Crataegus; USA: Hawthorn.
Drug combinations
Hawthorn: Aesculus hippocastanum; Alpinia officinarum; Arnica montana; Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C); Aurum chlorate; Barium iodide; Barley; Bishop’s Weed; Boldo; Calcium fluoride; Celandine; Centaurium umbellatum; Chamomile; Charcoal (Activated); Cinchona succirubra; Conium maculatum; Convallaria majalis; Couch Grass; Crocus sativus; Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B~12~); Cytisus scoparius; D-Camphor; Dry yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Equisetum arvense; Figwort; Folic Acid (Vitamin B~9~); Garlic Onion; Gentiana lutea; Ginkgo biloba; Ginseng Root; Goose Grass; Great Burnet Herb; Hamamelis virginiana; Hops; Horsetail; Hyaluronidase; Hydrastis canadensis; Iron (III)-sodium citrate; Ivy; Kelp; Lemon Balm; Leaves and Grass; Lobelia inflata; Lophophytum leandri; Magnesium carbonate; Magnesium hydrogen phosphate; Magnesium sulfate; Magnesiumbis (Hydrogen D,L-Aspartate); Marsdenia cundurango; Mate folium; Melissa officinalis; Mistletoe Herb; Motherwort Herb; New Jersey Tea; Niacinamide; Nitroglycerin; Oleander; Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B~5~); Passiflora incarnata; Potassium carbonate; Potassium Hydrogen, D,L-Aspartate; Pyridoxine (Vitamin B~6~); Ramsons-Whole Plant; Riboflavin (Vitamin B~2~); Rose Hips and Petals; Rosmarinus officinalis; Royal Jelly; Salix alba; Senecio aureus; Sodium Tetrachloroaurate (III); Sparteine; Spigelia anthelmia; Soybean Oil; Spinach; St. John’s Wort; String Tree Bud; Sweet Orange Peel; Thiamine (Vitamin B~1~); Tobacco; Tocopherol (Vitamin E); Urtica dioica; Uva ursi; Valerian Root; Viburnum opulus; Viscum album; Wheat Germ Oil; Wormwood
Chemistry
Pharmacologic Category
Natural Products; Herbs. Homeopathic Products.
Mechanism of action
The effect of hawthorn as an antihypertensive may be mediated by several mechanisms. Hawthorn bioflavonoids reportedly cause dilation of both peripheral and coronary vessels. Hawthorn is also believed to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme and demonstrates modest diuretic effect. In addition, hawthorn-derived glycosides increase vagal tone.
Therapeutic use
Angina, hypotension, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, tachycardia. Congestive heart failure. Heart failure.
Pregnancy and lactiation implications
Contraindicated in pregnancy (based on animal studies and human case reports).
Unlabeled use
Contraindications
Pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Warnings and precautions
Due to pharmacologic activity, use with caution in individuals receiving antihypertensive medications, including vasodilators and ACEIs, or cardiac glycosides. May cause dizziness, headache, or hypotension. Use caution in risk of hypotension including patients taking antihypertensive medication or agents that predispose to orthostasis, the elderly, or those who would not tolerate transient hypotensive episodes (i.e. cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease). Use with extreme caution in children under 2 years of age and in pregnancy or lactation. Use with caution in individuals on medication and with pre-existing medical conditions. Large and prolonged doses may increase potential for adverse effects. Herbs may cause transient adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress due to a variety of chemical constituents. Use caution in known allergies to plants.