Hawthorn berry’s high antioxidant content may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and aid digestion. However, it might not mix well with certain heart medications.
Hawthorn berries are tiny fruits that grow on trees and shrubs belonging to the Crataegus genus.
The genus includes hundreds of species commonly found in Europe, North America, and Asia.
These nutrient-rich berries have a tart, tangy taste and mild sweetness. They range in color from yellow to dark red.
For hundreds of years, people have used hawthorn berry as an herbal remedy for digestive problems, heart issues, and high blood pressure. In fact, the berry has been a key part of traditional Chinese medicine since at least 659 A.D.
Here are several potential health benefits of hawthorn berry.
Hawthorn berry is a rich source of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidant compounds found in plants.
Antioxidants help neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals that can harm your body when they are present at high levels.
Free radicals can come from certain foods and can also increase as a result of exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution and cigarette smoke.
Polyphenols are associated with numerous health benefits due to their antioxidant activity, including a lower risk of:
- some cancers
- type 2 diabetes
- asthma
- some infections
- heart disease
Though initial research in animals and cells is promising, more human studies are needed to assess the effects of hawthorn berries on the risk of disease.
In traditional Chinese medicine, hawthorn berry is one of the most commonly recommended foods to help treat high blood pressure.
A 2020 review found that taking hawthorn in the form of tablets or liquid drops reduced blood pressure in people with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension. The review authors also found no reports of serious side effects.
Still, more studies are needed to back up these findings. It’s also important to note that using an extract found in tablets or liquid form is not the same as eating the berries.
Some studies indicate that hawthorn extract may improve blood cholesterol levels thanks to its flavonoid and pectin content. Pectin is a type of fiber involved in cholesterol metabolism.
Imbalanced blood cholesterol levels — particularly high triglycerides and low HDL (good) cholesterol — play a role in atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in your blood vessels..
If plaque continues to build up, it could completely block a blood vessel, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Research shows that hawthorn extract may help lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Though this research is promising, more human studies are needed to assess the effect of hawthorn extract on blood cholesterol.
People have used hawthorn berries and extract for centuries to treat digestive issues, particularly indigestion and stomach pain.
The berries contain fiber, which can help aid digestion by reducing constipation and acting as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are foods that nourish and promote healthy gut bacteria, which are vital to maintaining healthy digestion.
Hawthorn berry may be difficult to find at your local grocery store. However, you may be able to find it at farmers markets and specialty health food stores.
You can add hawthorn to your diet in many ways:
- Raw berries. Raw hawthorn berries have a tart, slightly sweet taste and make a great on-the-go snack. But try not to eat the seeds. Like apple seeds, they contain the toxin cyanide.
- Tea. You can buy premade hawthorn tea or make your own using the plant’s dried berries, flowers, and leaves.
- Jams and desserts. In the Southeastern United States, people commonly make hawthorn berries into jam, pie filling, and syrup.
- Supplements. You can take hawthorn berry supplements in a convenient powder, pill, or liquid form.
Hawthorn berry supplements usually contain the berry along with the leaves and flowers, though some include only the leaves and flowers.
Different brands and forms of hawthorn supplements have varying dosing recommendations.
Keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements like hawthorn under a less strict set of regulations than over-the-counter or prescription medications. Therefore, always make sure to buy them from reputable sources.
Look for products that have received a seal of approval from independent organizations that assess supplement effectiveness and quality, such as United States Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International, or ConsumerLab.
Not many side effects have been reported from taking hawthorn berries. Those that exist seem to range from mild to moderate.
The most frequent ones people have reported are:
- sweating
- headaches
- sleepiness
- palpitations
- mild rash
- agitation
While these are not life threatening events, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms.
Using medicinal herbs as alternative treatments for several diseases has become increasingly popular due to advantages such as potentially fewer or milder side effects and reduced costs compared with standard modern therapies.
However, use of these herbs increases the risk of herb-drug interactions, which may alter the effects of standard drugs and lead to negative health effects by increasing, decreasing, or changing the effects of your existing medication.
Research on
If you’re taking medication for your heart, speak with a healthcare professional before using hawthorn berry supplements.
Primarily as a result of its antioxidant content, hawthorn berry may have numerous health effects, especially for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and reducing inflammation
Studies indicate that it may lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels and may even help treat heart failure.
However, it may negatively interact with heart medications. Be sure to speak with a healthcare professional before taking it as a supplement.