Hawthorn Berry for a Healthy Blood Pressure

by Ward W. Bond, PhD

​One of the gentlest of herbs for healthy functioning of the heart is Hawthorn berry. With billions of dollars being spent on high blood pressure medications, this herb has fallen in almost the forgotten category of helpful cardiovascular herbs. In today’s society, herbs are treated with a fad-mentality and it’s a shame because herbs have been around for centuries and they were the go-to medicines.

Hawthorn berry should be the first herbal helpmate when one thinks of healthy cardiovascular function and healthy blood pressure.  Hawthorn has a strengthening action of the force of the heart muscle and can help maintain a normal heart rhythm and blood pressure. There is much research on this herb and that research shows that hawthorn improves blood flow through the heart itself helping the muscle cells are well oxygenated.

Hawthorn contains flavonoids in the fruit, leaves and flowers and provides potent antioxidant properties to protect the heart cells from damage.

There have been numerous clinical studies and one of the largest is the SPICE trial that was conducted in 13 European countries.With over 2,500 patients, they were either placed on the hawthorn extract or a placebo for 8 years. The study showed moderately reduced function in the left ventricles of the heart muscle, which is considered one of the hardest working muscles in the heart. The left ventricle has to pump blood out of the heart into the aorta and them throughout the body. The hawthorn extract showed to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death from month 12 to 24 in the study.

When someone is dealing with mild to moderate high blood pressure, Hawthorn berry should be consider as a safe natural remedy. This herb does not interfere with cardiovascular medications, but it always wise to consult with your healthcare professional.