Hawthorn

Hawthorn has cardio-protective properties and is commonly known as the ‘heart plant’.

Hawthorn berries contain flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that stimulate immunity and reduce inflammation. A diet rich in flavonoids also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Hawthorn should not be taken during pregnancy, while breastfeeding or by children.

Although beneficial for the heart, hawthorn should not be taken concomitantly with other medications prescribed for cardiovascular diseases such as digoxin, beta-blockers, nitrates, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and phenylephrine. People suffering from heart failure should not consume products containing hawthorn.

Side effects that may occur after consuming hawthorn include nausea, fatigue, headaches, sweating, dizziness, stomach problems, nosebleeds, insomnia, palpitations, agitation, etc.

Hawthorn can be found in various forms in pharmacies and health food stores, such as:

• Hawthorn and Magnesium, 30 capsules, FarmaClass is an adjuvant in arterial hypertension, heart rhythm disorders, extrasystoles and cardiac disorders of nervous origin.

This product should not be administered to pregnant women, breastfeeding women or children. Treatment with hawthorn should only be administered to adults for short periods.

• Hawthorn, 40 capsules, Hofigal is a product with cardiotonic and vasodilatory properties in the coronary and peripheral vessels, is a good antioxidant and blood pressure normaliser, has an anticoagulant, mild diuretic and mild sedative effect on the central nervous system.
• Hawthorn tincture, 50 ml, Plant Extrakt supports the proper functioning of the heart and circulatory system, is a good blood pressure normaliser, and is effective in states of anxiety and palpitations, in neurovegetative dystonia and in cardiac insomnia.

Hawthorn tincture should not be administered during the first trimester of pregnancy or to children under 12 years of age.

• Hawthorn tincture, 50 ml, Hofigal supports proper heart function and normalises blood pressure, is a good adjuvant in neurovegetative dystonia and states of anxiety with palpitations.
• Hawthorn tincture, 50 ml, Dacia Plant – contains 1:3.75 hawthorn extract hydroalcoholic solution (ethyl alcohol/water 35/65 by mass ratio of hawthorn leaves and flowers. This product is used to maintain good heart function, improve coronary flow and heart tone, maintain normal blood pressure and heart rate, and support the cardiovascular system during periods of stress.
• Hawthorn, 40 capsules, Favisan has a sympatholytic, vasodilatory, sedative effect on the central nervous system and is hypotensive.
• Hawthorn tea, 50 g, Fares is a powerful diuretic, reduces fluid accumulation in tissues, thus alleviating the symptoms of congestive heart failure, reduces varicose veins and haemorrhoids, lowers blood cholesterol, reduces anxiety and alleviates the symptoms of menopause.

Do not consume hawthorn tea while taking medication to lower blood pressure. Do not consume hawthorn tea if you are pregnant or have allergies.

Both hawthorn and cranberry are beneficial to the body when consumed in moderation. Like hawthorn, cranberry is a powerful antioxidant and inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Cranberry, also known as ‘green insulin’, is rich in proanthocyanidin and is considered a natural antibiotic. Cranberry fruits normalise cholesterol, reduce the risk of blood vessel inflammation and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.