Heart Health and Beyond: How Hawthorn Berries Can Benefit You

Discover How This Tiny Red Fruit Packs a Powerful Punch for Heart Health and Holistic Wellness.

Benefits of Hawthorn Berries:

Hawthorn berries (Crataegus species) have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, primarily for their potential cardiovascular and health benefits. While scientific research on the topic is ongoing, some of the reported benefits of hawthorn berries include:

1. Heart Health: Hawthorn berries are often associated with heart health. They may help improve blood flow to the heart, reduce the risk of heart disease, and lower blood pressure. These effects are attributed to the presence of compounds like flavonoids, oligomeric proanthocyanins (OPCs), and quercetin (Pittler et al., 2003).

2. Antioxidant Properties: Hawthorn berries contain antioxidants that can help combat oxidative stress in the body. These antioxidants, including vitamin C and various phytonutrients, may protect cells from damage caused by free radicals (Dong et al., 2013).

3. Cholesterol Management: Some studies suggest that hawthorn extracts may help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, which is beneficial for heart health (Mahmoudian-Sani et al., 2019).

4. Improved Circulation: Hawthorn may improve blood circulation, which can be particularly helpful for individuals with conditions like angina or intermittent claudication.

5. Mild Anxiety Reduction: In some traditional medicine systems, hawthorn has been used to alleviate symptoms of mild anxiety and improve overall well-being.

6. Blood Pressure: Some studies indicate that hawthorn extracts may have a mild hypotensive (blood pressure-lowering) effect. They may help lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension (Walker et al., 2011).

7. Digestive Health: Hawthorn berries have traditionally been used as a digestive aid. They may help alleviate symptoms of indigestion and promote healthy digestion.

References:

Pittler MH, et al. (2003). Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Walker AF, et al. (2011). Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract: A randomized double-blind pilot study of mild, essential hypertension. Phytotherapy Research.

Dong F, et al. (2013). Antioxidative effect of hawthorn seed polyphenol extract in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Food Science.

Mahmoudian-Sani MR, et al. (2019). A review on the effects of Crataegus pinnatifida in traditional medicine and modern pharmacology. BioMed Research International.

Featured Tea Recipe

Hawthorn-Hibiscus-Cherry Iced Tea

Ingredients

• 1 hawthorn tea bag or 1 teaspoon of dried hawthorn berries

• 1 hibiscus tea bag or 1 teaspoon of dried hibiscus flowers

• 1/4 cup of cherry juice

• Honey or agave syrup (optional, for sweetening)

• Ice cubes

• Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Boil water and steep the hawthorn & hibiscus tea bags or dried herbs in a cup of hot water for 5-7 minutes.

2. Remove the tea bags or strain the herbs and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.

3. Stir in the cherry juice and sweetener if desired.

4. Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the tea mixture over the ice.

5. Garnish with lemon slices if desired.

6. Serve and enjoy your refreshing hawthorn-hibiscus-cherry iced tea.

"Nature itself is the best physician." - Hippocrates