Crataegus oxyacantha: Benefits, cultivation and uses of hawthorn

Introduction to Crataegus oxyacantha or hawthorn

The Crataegus oxyacanthaHawthorn, popularly known as hawthorn, common hawthorn, or common hawthorn, is a species of shrub or small tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. It has earned its place in traditional and modern herbal medicine due to its valuable health properties, particularly in the cardiovascular system. Its hardiness, easy adaptation, and beauty also make it a frequent choice for gardens, hedges, and as an ornamental plant.

Botanical description and distribution

Hawthorn is a small shrub or tree with thorny branches, glossy green, deeply lobed, deciduous leaves. It can reach heights of 2 to 6 meters, although it rarely exceeds 5 meters in nature. The bark is compact, yellowish-gray, which darkens with age. Its young branches have short, sharp spines at the base of the shoots.

The flowersSmall, white or pinkish-white, they appear clustered in corymbs between spring and early summer. Their fruits, called pomes, are oval berries that are deep red when ripe, highly prized by wildlife and also used in herbal and culinary preparations.

• Ports: thorny, dense, branched shrub.
• Sheets: petiolate, rhomboidal in shape, with toothed lobes and 2-6 cm long.
• Flowers: five petals, fragrant, 5-6 mm long, grouped in corymbs.
• Fruits: oval, red when ripe, approximately 1 cm, containing one to two seeds.

Hawthorn grows wild in Europe, Western Asia, the Caucasus, North Africa, and North America, growing in forest edges, clearings, undergrowth, riverbanks, hedgerows between fields, and even in degraded areas, thanks to its hardiness and adaptability to different climates and soils.

Propagation and cultivation of hawthorn

Hawthorn is recognized for its ease of cultivation and adaptability, allowing it to thrive in both gardens and natural spaces. It requires minimal maintenance and is extremely resistant to adverse weather conditions, including drought and moderate frost.

Soil and location requirements

• Substratum: It prefers dry, well-drained soils with a neutral or alkaline pH. It tolerates stony and sandy soils, but not poorly drained or acidic soils.
• Exhibition: Full sun or partial shade; tolerates cold and strong winds.
• Irrigation: sparse to moderate. Once established, it tolerates infrequent watering well.

Multiplication

• By seed: The fruits must be collected in autumn, the seeds extracted and stratified for several months to break the dormancy, as it can take up to 18 months.
• Per cutting: use semi-woody branches in summer or radical shoots.

Pruning and maintenance

• It requires light pruning to control its shape and remove dry or damaged branches; for hedges, pruning in summer is recommended.
• If used as a defensive hedge, pruning will stimulate branching and density in the natural barrier.

Special cares

• Colaborating organic material when planting improves initial growth.
• Avoid waterlogging to prevent root diseases.
• Hawthorn can be affected by pests such as aphids or fungal diseases if the environment is too humid, although it is usually very resistant.

Environmental considerations

• It is not an invasive species, but in certain regions its planting may be regulated as a preventive measure against the spread of the bacteria. Erwinia amylovora (fire blight), which affects pome fruit trees.

Active ingredients of Crataegus oxyacantha

Hawthorn is a true phytochemical treasure. Its main active principles They are found in flowers, leaves and fruits, and are responsible for their therapeutic characteristics:

• Flavonoids: such as hyperoside, vitexin, luteolin, rutin, quercetin and apigenin, with potent antioxidant, vasodilatory and antiplatelet activity.
• Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (pycnogenols): They provide cardiotonic, antioxidant and vascular protective effects.
• Pentacyclic triterpenic acids: ursolic, crategolic, oleanolic, acantholic and neotegolic acids.
• Anthocyanins: responsible for the reddish pigments of the fruits, with additional antioxidant action.
• Amines (phenylethylamines, tyramine): present mainly in fresh flowers, some with cardiotonic action.
• Phenolic acids: such as caffeic and chlorogenic.
• Essential oils: with anisic aldehyde, which provides a pleasant aroma.
• Sterols, sesquiterpenes and aminopurines.
• Vitamins C and B, minerals, pectin and fiber in the fruits.

Benefits and therapeutic properties of hawthorn

This shrub has been valued for centuries as natural remedy for cardiovascular health, although it is also used in other areas of traditional and modern medicine. Its efficacy and safety have been supported by various scientific studies.

Heart and circulatory system health

• Cardiotonic: It improves myocardial contractility and increases the force of heart contraction, contributing to efficient cardiac function without increasing oxygen requirements.
• Mild hypotensive: It promotes vasodilation and helps regulate blood pressure, making it of interest in the prevention and treatment of mild or moderate hypertension.
• Antiarrhythmic: It helps regulate heart rhythm, especially in mild arrhythmias and palpitations, and even in extrasystoles or tachycardias of nervous origin.
• Coronary vasodilator: increases blood flow to the heart, preventing ischemic phenomena.
• Antiplatelet agent: Prevents thrombus formation by reducing platelet aggregation, decreasing the risk of stroke.
• Lipid-lowering: can help reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Antioxidant: neutralizes free radicals, protects cells from oxidative stress and prevents vascular damage.

Support in situations of nervousness and stress

• Sedative and anxiolytic: It helps calm the nervous system, is used for anxiety, insomnia, and palpitations associated with stress, and can be combined with other plants such as valerian, passionflower, California poppy, or lemon balm.
• Muscle relaxant and antispasmodic: Indicated to relieve muscle tension, spasms and digestive discomfort, especially when linked to stress.

Other medicinal applications

• Mild diuretic: It helps reduce fluid retention and is useful in herbal teas for overweight associated with water retention.
• Gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory: It has shown positive effects in animal models, promoting the protection of the gastric mucosa.
• Immunomodulator: may support the immune response, particularly by reducing damage following cardiac ischemia.
• Antimicrobial: The extracts may have bactericidal action against some gram-positive species.

Menopause support

During menopause, hawthorn can be useful in relieving some symptoms such as hot flashes, palpitations, nervousness and mood disorders thanks to its regulatory action on the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system.

Traditional and gastronomic uses

• Phytotherapy: Prepared in infusions, liquid extracts, capsules, syrups and tinctures, based on leaves, flowers and fruits.
• Cuisine: The fruits are used in jams, compotes, flours, and liqueurs. They have a bland, floury flavor, but add color and texture. The young leaves can be added to salads.
• Other uses: The dense, tough wood is used for tool handles, firewood, and charcoal.
• Bees: The flowers are appreciated for their nectar, although monofloral honey is rare given the coexistence with many other pollinated species.
• Ornamental and defensive: Due to its showy flowering and thorns, it is suitable for hedges, borders and divisions in the garden, acting as a natural barrier.

How to take hawthorn

Hawthorn can be found in herbalists and pharmacies in various dosage forms, tailored to the user's needs and preferences. The dosage and specific form should be tailored to the therapeutic objective and always under professional supervision.

Presentations and forms of consumption

• Infusions: Made from dried flowers and leaves, alone or mixed with other plants. Up to three cups a day is recommended.
• Liquid extract: Generally, it is indicated to take 30-50 drops diluted in water, two or three times a day.
• Syrup: one tablespoon daily.
• Mother tincture: dilute in water according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Capsules or tablets: Standardized supplements; the usual dosage is one to two capsules (350 mg each) before bedtime or at the beginning of treatment for high blood pressure.
• Drops: concentrated liquid extract.

Example of an infusion to regulate blood pressure

1. Mix equal parts hawthorn, olive leaves, nettle, corn stigmas, orthosiphon, goldenrod and star anise.
2. Separate one tablespoon of the mixture per glass of water.
3. Boil for 1-2 minutes and let stand for another 10 minutes off the heat.
4. Strain and have a cup with breakfast and another mid-afternoon.

The flavor can be improved by adding a few drops of lemon juice.

Example of a muscle relaxant infusion

1. Mix hawthorn, passionflower, yarrow, linden, ginger, valerian and fennel.
2. Separate one tablespoon per cup of water.
3. Boil for 2-3 minutes and leave covered for 10 more minutes.
4. Strain and drink two cups a day with main meals.

Contraindications, side effects and interactions

Hawthorn is considered Safety when administered in the recommended doses. However, like any medicinal plant with potent active ingredients, it requires precautions:

Contraindications

• Children under 12 years: lack of sufficient studies and potential toxicity.
• Pregnancy and lactation: Its use is not recommended, since there is some evidence of possible risk to the fetus and its safety in infants is unknown.
• People with hypersensitivity to its components.
• Bradycardia: (low heart rate) or major heart rhythm disturbances.

Precautions

• Hawthorn consumption should be done under medical supervision if you are taking cardiovascular medications, as it can enhance the effect of digitalis (such as digoxin), antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, and calcium channel blockers.
• Avoid association with hypotensive medications, H1 antihistamines, drugs that affect potassium (thiazide diuretics and stimulant laxatives), cisapride and barbiturates.
• If you experience edema in the extremities, chest pain, increased fatigue, or no improvement after six weeks, discontinue treatment and consult a healthcare professional.

efectos secundarios

• Digestives: In rare cases, it may cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, flatulence, or diarrhea.
• Neurological: Possible sedation, dizziness, headaches, vertigo or migraines in predisposed individuals.
• Cardiac: In overdose or in sensitive individuals, it may cause arrhythmias, hypotension or heart block.
• Skin: dermatological reactions such as itching or erythema, although they are very rare.

The risk of poisoning from infusions is very low. However, in the event of an overdose, sedation, tremors, and cardiorespiratory depression may occur.

Studies and scientific evidence

Numerous clinical trials and scientific reviews have documented the positive effects of hawthorn in cardiac function, blood pressure control, and improving quality of life in patients with mild heart failure and circulatory disorders.

Its mechanisms of action include:

• Blocking of the Na+/K+ ATPase in the myocardial membrane, increasing the intracellular concentration of sodium and facilitating the entry of calcium into the cardiac cell.
• Inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, prolonging the duration of the cardiac action potential and the refractory period, which confers an antiarrhythmic effect.
• Vasodilation dependent and independent of vascular endothelium, inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme and increased coronary flow.
• Reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as immunomodulatory and bactericidal action against some gram-positive bacteria.

Standardized hawthorn extracts are widely used in Europe and are endorsed by regulatory agencies such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the EMA for use as an adjuvant in the treatment of mild cardiac and circulatory disorders.

Frequently asked questions about hawthorn

• Can it be combined with other plants? Yes, especially with other sedatives like valerian, passionflower, linden, or California poppy. Always consult a specialist first.
• How long does it take to take effect? Its cardiovascular effects become apparent from the second week of regular use; for anxiety, its relaxing effects can be felt from the first few days.
• Is it safe to use it continuously? If the dosage is followed, it is well tolerated even with long-term treatment. Medical supervision is necessary in cases of underlying cardiac conditions or if concomitant medications are used.
• Which parts have the highest concentration of active ingredients? The leaves and flowers contain more flavonoids and proanthocyanidins; the fruits are notable for their vitamin C and fiber content.
• Can it be grown in a pot? Yes, as long as the pot is large, the drainage is adequate, and the substrate is slightly alkaline.

Crataegus oxyacantha, in addition to its beauty and functionality in gardens, stands out as a highly valuable medicinal plant. Its action on the heart and nervous system is supported by science, although it should be used responsibly, with awareness of its limitations and precautions. It facilitates the balance between health and nature both in traditional medicine and in the art of cultivation and gardening.