Hawthorn: A Plant for the Heart

Hawthorn leaves and flowers promote blood flow to the heart and coronary arteries and increase the power of the heart without harmful side effects. The ingredients of hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) also protect the heart from the effects of stress. Today, hawthorn tea is considered the best remedy for declining performance of the heart, especially in elderly people. According to ancient folklore, hawthorn, like other thorn-bearing plants, was a magical plant that could ward off evil spells.

Ingredients of hawthorn

Flowers, leaves and fruits contain so-called flavonoids and procyanidins, which are good for the heart and circulation. But only the interaction of all ingredients, which still reinforce each other, makes the positive effect of the hawthorn. In recent years, it has also been found that it also acts as a free radical scavenger, protecting cells.

High performance engine heart

The heart is the engine of the circulatory system. It has a capacity of 260 – 360 cm.

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and beats with a frequency of 60 – 80 excitations per minute (pulse number) with the adult, with the newborn it is about 140 beats/minute. During this process, the blood carries 5 – 6 liters of blood per minute through the veins without a break, i.e. 360 liters per hour or 8,640 liters per day. The total amount of blood in an adult is about 6 liters, which is about 8 percent of the body weight. The heart muscle is supplied with oxygen through the system of coronary vessels, the coronary arteries.

Heart failure

Healthy hearts beat vigorously and pump sufficient amounts of the blood needed to supply the body into the bloodstream. However, when the heart’s performance declines, the pumping function weakens and the heart no longer musters the necessary strength to adequately supply oxygen to all major organs. As a result, the heart tries to compensate for this weakness by, for example, increasing the pulse rate or contracting more. This, in turn, causes certain amounts of blood to back up in the lungs or body, resulting in reduced blood flow. Heart failure, then, is the inability of the heart, either under stress or already at rest, to eject the blood necessary for oxygen exchange or to accommodate venous return.

Therapy with hawthorn

The classic application of hawthorn is in the therapy of the so-called “old-age heart” as well as in mild cardiac insufficiency. This is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Absence of symptoms at rest
  • Everyday physical stress causes exhaustion and fatigue
  • Shortness of breath or palpitations during normal physical activity.

Chronic stress, insomnia and exhaustion can also have a negative effect on the heart, because the constant excitation of the nervous system also puts more strain on the heart muscle. Hawthorn is a remedy for prevention and treatment. It has a slow but lasting effect. Side effects or interactions are not known, so you can take Crataegus without hesitation, even for a long time. For several years, it has even been scientifically proven that a standardized special extract of the medicinal plant gives the heart new impetus again.

Effect of hawthorn

Hawthorn is the only heart-active plant that can be used as a tea and has the following beneficial properties for the heart:

  • Increasing the strength of the heart muscle
  • Improving blood circulation
  • Regulation of the heart rhythm and thus protection for the heart.

By improving blood flow to the coronary arteries and the heart muscle, the heart is better supplied with oxygen and thus strengthened overall. However, the ingredients of the hawthorn also have a direct effect on the heart muscle cells. Due to the better nutrition of the heart muscle, its power reserve increases, the heart is protected and can beat in its normal rhythm again. Those who take hawthorn preparations should pay attention to the following: If the symptoms of the disease persist unchanged for more than six weeks, or if water accumulates in the legs, consultation with a physician is recommended. If there is pain in the heart area that may radiate to the arms, upper abdomen, or neck area, or if there is shortness of breath, immediate medical evaluation is imperative.

Note for cardiac patients

Any heart failure must be treated, even if it does not cause any symptoms or does not yet cause any symptoms.Therefore, to clarify the exact diagnosis, always consult the doctor first.