Hawthorn: Benefits and Nutrition

Learn about the benefits of this antioxidant-rich plant

Hawthorn capsules, extract, dried herb, dried fruit, and tincture

 Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak

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What Is Hawthorn?

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a fruit-bearing, deciduous tree.

Its native habitat includes the temperate regions (mild temperature zones) of Europe, North America, and northern Asia. The genus Crataegus contains around 250 to 280 species.

The Swiss physician Paracelsus (1493–1541) is believed to have first mentioned hawthorn's heart effects in European medical literature.

The first study of hawthorn, published in 1896, reported hawthorn's promise in treating heart disease.

Hawthorn has also been used traditionally for digestive and kidney issues.

Hawthorn's red berries are made into candy, jam, jelly, and fortified wine. However, all parts of the plant have been used to make tinctures and more.

Learn more about hawthorn's nutrition, benefits, safety, and more.

Hawthorn Supplement Facts

  • Active ingredient: Oligomeric procyanidins, flavonoids (hyperoside, vitexin)
  • Alternate name: Crataegus monogynaCrataegus laevigata (synonym Crataegus oxyacantha), English hawthorn, harthorne, haw, hawthorne, mayhaw, oneseed hawthorn, thornapple.
  • Legal status: Over-the-counter supplement (United States).
  • Suggested dose: Use of 160 to 1,800 milligrams (mg) from three to 24 weeks in studies
  • Safety considerations: May interact with some medications

Nutrition

Hawthorn contains different levels of nutrients and other components depending on factors like the species (type) and where it grows.

Studies have found the following in hawthorn:

What Are Hawthorn's Benefits?

Given the serious nature of heart disease, it's essential not to self-treat a heart condition with hawthorn or any other remedy. Please consult your healthcare provider, registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), or pharmacist if you're considering using hawthorn.

Researchers have suggested hawthorn may have heart benefits.

This could partly be due to its vasodilation effects (increased blood flow), although conflicting evidence exists. 

Hawthorn has been studied for the following conditions:

  • Heart failure: The German Commission E, an expert panel, approved hawthorn for congestive heart failure. A systematic review suggested hawthorn managed heart failure symptoms and outcomes. However, a study did not observe these effects. Further study is needed.
  • High blood pressure: While some studies have suggested hawthorn lowered blood pressure, conflicting evidence exists. More, higher-quality studies are needed.
  • High cholesterol: Hawthorn lowered cholesterol in animal studies. However, animal studies don't always translate into benefits for humans. Human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.
Hawthorn dried fruit
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak​

Safety

Avoid hawthorn if you're allergic to it, its components (parts), or other plants in the Rosaceae (rose) family.

Seek medical attention if you have a severe allergic reaction (itching, hives, shortness of breath).

Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects of hawthorn include the following:

Interactions

Just because it's a natural medicine doesn't mean hawthorn can't interact with medications or other herbs and supplements. Natural medicines can be quite potent.

Research suggests hawthorn may inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AchE), which plays a role in Alzheimer's medications.

Hawthorn may increase or change the effects of the following medications:

Talk to a pharmacist, registered dietitian, or healthcare provider before taking hawthorn if you also take medications, other herbs, or supplements.

Precautions

Please keep in mind the following precautions when considering hawthorn:

  • Surgery: According to a review, the use of hawthorn was strongly associated with surgical bleeding. Consult with your healthcare provider regarding when you should discontinue its use before surgery.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, speak with your healthcare provider before using hawthorn.
  • Children: Hawthorn has not been well-researched for use in children. Discuss its use with your child's pediatrician beforehand.

Dietary supplements are not regulated in the same way that drugs are in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement tested by a trusted third party, such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or NSF.

However, even if supplements are third-party tested, they are not necessarily safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and ask about potential interactions with other supplements or medications.

Summary

Hawthorn has been used for millennia, primarily for heart conditions. Research suggests it may benefit heart failure, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. However, conflicting evidence also exists.

Hawthorn may interact with some medications and is not suggested for use during pregnancy or in children. As with all plant medicines and supplements, check with your healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist, or pharmacist if you're considering using hawthorn. This can help optimize your health goals and minimize interactions or side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much hawthorn berry do I need to take to lower blood pressure?

    In a study of people with diabetes, 1,200 mg of hawthorn extract for 16 weeks reduced blood pressure by 3.6 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Further study is needed.

  • What is hawthorn?

    Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a plant that has mostly been studied for its value with heart conditions. The plant has been used for it health benefits and also as a food.

  • What is hawthorn berry good for?

    While hawthorn has been demonstrated to have some benefits in heart failure, high blood pressure, and cholesterol, conflicting evidence does exist. More research is needed. Do not self-treat or delay treatment of serious conditions like heart failure. Consider and alter, if necessary, your lifestyle, eating habits, and activity level to reach your health goals. Reach out to your healthcare provider for further guidance.

15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  9. Walker AF, Marakis G, Simpson E, et al. Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trialBr J Gen Pract. 2006;56(527):437-443.

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  12. Martinelli F, Perrone A, Yousefi S, et al. Botanical, phytochemical, anti-microbial and pharmaceutical characteristics of hawthorn (Crataegusmonogyna jacq.), RosaceaeMolecules. 2021;26(23):7266. doi:10.3390/molecules26237266

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  15. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Hawthorn.

Additional Reading
Regina C. Windsor, MPH, RDN

By Regina C. Windsor, MPH, RDN
Regina Windsor, MPH, RDN, is an editor for Verywell Health. Her expertise includes population health, data analysis and synthesis, nutrition and dietetics, publishing, and education. She is a systems-oriented thinker with a passion for exploration and authentic connection.

Originally written by Cathy Wong