Hawthorn Berry
Also known as: Hawthorn, Crataegus
A well-documented cardiovascular botanical with clinical evidence for heart muscle function, blood pressure regulation, and arterial elasticity.
What It Is
Hawthorn berry extract is a well-documented cardiovascular botanical with clinical evidence for supporting heart muscle function, blood pressure regulation, and arterial elasticity. Its primary active compounds are oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) and vitexin glycosides.
What the Evidence Shows
- Heart muscle function: Systematic reviews of hawthorn extract in heart failure support improved cardiac output and exercise tolerance.
- Blood pressure: Controlled trials show modest support for healthy blood pressure in adults with mild hypertension.
- Circulation: OPCs support endothelial function and arterial elasticity, relevant to coronary and peripheral circulation.
Dosing
Standard range: 160–900 mg daily of standardized extract (18.75% OPCs or 2.2% vitexin). Effects on cardiac parameters typically take 8 or more weeks of consistent use to show up ... this is not a fast-acting supplement.
Safety Profile
May potentiate cardiac glycoside medications like digoxin ... do not combine without medical supervision. May enhance the effect of blood pressure medications, so monitor if you're on antihypertensives. Generally very well tolerated in healthy adults otherwise.
Practical Notes
- Because hawthorn interacts with common heart medications, it's one of the supplements on this list where a physician conversation matters most before starting.
- Hawthorn has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shān Zhā, 山楂), traditionally used to move blood and support digestion. See our Natural Herb Library link below for that traditional-use context.