Hawthorne Berry Extract: Benefits and Side Effects
Hawthorne Berry is a tiny red berry that grows on the Hawthorne shrub. The berry has strong antioxidant properties and has been used as an herbal remedy since ancient times.
Hawthorne Berry is loaded with bioflavonoids, potent antioxidants found in many fruits that are said to be many times more powerful than the antioxidant vitamins, A, C and E.
Hawthorne Berry is widely used as a heart tonic, particularly in Europe. It can be used to help regulate blood pressure and break down cholesterol and fat that may contribute to heart disease.
Hawthorne Berry protects arterial walls from damage caused by the build up of plaque. It can also help the body use oxygen more effectively by helping coronary blood vessels to dilate (expand). When blood vessels dilate, they carry oxygen, blood and nutrients throughout the body to all of the vital organs.
By doing this, Hawthorne Berry also helps the heart use minerals like calcium, which plays a very important part in the chemical processes that allow the cardiovascular system to function properly.
In addition, the herb can be used to reduce angina (chest pain caused by constriction in the chest) by helping blood flow to and from the heart more easily.
The bioflavonoids in Hawthorne Berry also help the heart muscle pump more efficiently. Though the herb appears to be most effective when taken as a preventive measure, it can be used to treat active symptoms of heart disease as well.
Hawthorne Berry has a few other uses in addition to treating the cardiovascular system. For example, people on weight loss diets often use Hawthorne Berry to rid the body of excess salt as well as to reduce water retention. As a strong antioxidant, Hawthorne Berry may also protect the immune system in a number of ways.
Supplements of Hawthorne Berry are available in capsules and tinctures.
Teas can also be made from dried Hawthorne berry leaves, flowers and berries. Standardized extracts are the most reliable form of any herbal supplement, and in the case of Hawthorne Berry, extracts should be standardized to contain 10% proanthocyanidins (the type of bioflavonoids that are active in Hawthorne Berry).
The most studied condition for treatment with Hawthorne Berry is congestive heart failure. To treat this ailment, adults should take 160 to 900 mg of liquid extract each day or 120 to 240 mg of standardized capsules or tablets three times per day. The recommended dosage is similar for other conditions. It should be noted that it might take up to six weeks for the effects of Hawthorne Berry to be noticed.
And what about Hawthorne Berry side effects?
Hawthorne Berry is considered to be among the safest herbal supplements. Some rare side effects may include nausea, rapid heartbeat or headache. There are some drug interactions possible with Hawthorne Berry, so people using the herb should consult a physician if they are taking any prescription medications.
For example, Hawthorne Berry may enhance the activity of the heart medication Digoxin. It can also counteract the effects of products, such as nasal decongestants, that contain phenylephrine. Phenylephrine constricts blood vessels, so the ability of Hawthrone berry to dilate blood vessels will decrease the effectiveness of medications that contain it.
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