Hypertension hawthorn

Native Americans used hawthorn as a diuretic for kidney and bladder disorders and to treat stomachaches, stimulate appetite, and improve circulation. The flowers and berries have astringent properties and can be used to treat sore throats in the form of haw jelly or haw marmalade. Today, hawthorn is promoted for the treatment of heart failure, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, Buerger s disease, paroxysmal tachycardia, heart valve murmurs, sore throat, skin sores, diarrhea, and abdominal distention. 

Hawthorn is stated to possess cardiotonic, coronary vasodilator, and hypotensive properties. Traditionally, it is used for cardiac failure, myocardial weakness, paroxysmal tachycardia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and Buerger s disease. 

Hawthorn is promoted for use in heart failure, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, Buerger s disease, paroxysmal tachycardia (6), heart valve murmurs, sore throat, skin sores, diarrhea, and abdominal distention (7). 

Walker AF, Marakis G, Morris AP, Robinson PA. Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract a randomized double-blind pilot study of mild, essential hypertension. Phytother Res 2002 15 48-54. 

Various h bs and supplements such as hawthorn extracts garlic, onion, ginkgo biloba, vitamin and aspirin, maybe used by herbalists for hypertension. Although these sub ances may lo w blood pressure in some individuals their use is not recommended because the fect is ight and usually too gentle to affect mod ate to sev e hypertension. Howev, several studies have demonstrated that hypertensive patients may benefit from daily doses of calcium (800 mg) or magnesium (300 mg). Patients should consult the primary health care provid before taking any h bal remedy. 

Hawthorn has been purported to lower blood pressure after 4 weeks or longer of therapy therefore, the nurse would not question the client with hypertension taking this medication. 

Documented effects Extracts from fruits or tinctures from flowers are used to treat cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, to tone cardiac muscles, and as a sedative. This hawthorn extract of is part of Cardiovalen, which is used to treat rheumatic heart disease, cardiosclerosis, stenocardia, and vegetative neurosis (Khodzhimatov 1989). 

Documented effects Clinical tests of tincture of this hawthorn have yielded positive results when used against the active form of rheumatism (Kuchin 1955). An extract from the fruits and tinctures from the flowers are also used to treat cardiovascular diseases by strengthening the heart muscle, as a sedative, and to treat hypertension (Khodzhimatov 1989). 

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