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Heart

Hawthorn

Herbal extract used as an adjunct in mild chronic heart failure and may offer modest blood pressure support in adults.

Hawthorn
55
score
B
evidence
Caution
risk

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Quick Take

Worth considering only as an adjunct for mild heart failure under medical supervision; otherwise the return is limited.

Hawthorn refers to the berries, leaves, and flowers of Crataegus shrubs, traditionally used in European herbal medicine and sometimes taken as tea, syrup, or standardized extract. The best-studied extracts affect vascular tone and cardiac workload through mild vasodilation and modest ACE/phosphodiesterase effects. Evidence is strongest for symptom relief and better exercise tolerance in mild chronic heart failure; blood pressure, angina, lipid, and endothelial effects are smaller and less consistent. Adults with stable cardiovascular disease who want adjunctive support are the main candidates.

Potential benefits

01
Improves heart failure symptoms
02
Improves exercise tolerance
03
May lower blood pressure
04
May reduce angina frequency
05
May improve endothelial function
06
May improve lipid profile
07
May reduce oxidative stress

Protocol

Amount
300-900 mg
Frequency
Once or twice daily
When
With meals to minimize gastrointestinal upset.

Onset Time

4-8 weeks for heart failure symptoms; 8-12 weeks for blood pressure effects

Who Should Consider

Adults with mild chronic heart failure (NYHA I-II)
People with BP 130-139/80-89 mmHg
Adults on standard therapy seeking adjunctive support
Older adults with stable coronary disease

How It Works

Hawthorn flavonoids and procyanidins relax vascular smooth muscle, mildly inhibit ACE and phosphodiesterase, and may improve coronary blood flow. These actions can lower peripheral resistance and reduce cardiac workload.

Updated 5/19/2026

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