Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) is an herb that is believed to help in lowering blood pressure. It has been used in traditional herbal medicine as a “heart herbal tonic” for many years. For centuries hawthorn has been used as a folk remedy for heart problems in both Europe and China.

Hawthorn is thought to not only reduce blood pressure but also to increase the heart muscle’s ability to contract; to reduce the rate of the heart and to increase the flow of blood to the heart. More and more evidence through various studies is supporting the claim that hawthorn is beneficial to take for congestive heart failure. However it is theorized that for blood pressure alone, hawthorn may have only a small, as opposed to a significant, difference. A typical dosage of hawthorn that can potentially be of benefit is 100 to 300 mg three times per day with the dose being standardized to contain either 18 to 20 percent of procyanidins or two to three percent of flavonoids. It generally will take anywhere from a few weeks to a number of months for the herb to begin to take effect.

Hawthorn as an extract can serve to widen (or dilate) the arteries, and in particular the coronary arteries. In many cultures hawthorn has been used as a heart tonic (or it is sometimes called a tonic herb). Hawthorn is very often mixed up and drank as a tea. Many herbalists swear by its effectiveness in bringing about positive results for the heart and circulatory system.

Hawthorn however is one of the stronger herbal medicines and should therefore always be something a patient discusses with his or her doctor first. While many doctors are still very wary of alternative medicinal methods aimed at healing, others are embracing the idea as one that can compliment conventional western medicine very well. Hawthorn can be purchased at a health food store and at select pharmacies and grocery stores. Hawthorn is best prepared as a tea a tea when one teaspoon of the dried herb is added to boiling water. An individual should be able to drink at least two cups of hawthorn tea from this mixture.

Besides the herb hawthorn, there are other types of herb that can help to lower blood pressure such as garlic and coenzyme Q10. Doctors often recommend lifestyle changes such as incorporating more exercise into your daily routine, cutting back on fried and fatty foods as well as finding ways to manage stress (such as yoga, mediation or breathing exercises) for those with high blood pressure.