Origin
Crateagus Oxyacantha or “Hawthorn” comes from the Greek and means “sharp flower”.
It is a perennial plant belonging to the Rosaceae family and characterized by small white flowers, very fragrant.
They are shrubs or small thorny trees. The fruit is a small drupe that turns red when ripe.
Bioactive principles
The flowers, leaves and fruits, used in preparations, contain flavonoids, triterpene compounds, essential oil and procyanidins.
Therapeutic properties
A cardiotonic, antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic effect is attributed to hawthorn. In addition, it should be noted that hawthorn has antioxidant activity.
Mechanism of action
The positive inotropic action of hawthorn is attributed to inhibition of phosphodiesterases with increased intracellular cyclic AMP. An ACE inhibiting action and an antagonistic action on tachycardia induced through the activation of β1-adrenergic adrenaline receptors, an effect related to the procyanidine content, have also been reported.
Tolerability
Hawthorn is safe with a lower therapeutic risk than digitalis. Side effects are mild and reversible. Those most frequently reported are nausea, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, flushing and palpitations.