Hawthorn (Crataegus)
Herb ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Hawthorn is a traditional cardiotonic herb studied mainly as adjunctive support in mild heart failure and for blood pressure. Evidence suggests possible symptom improvement in some heart failure populations, but it must not replace medical heart failure therapy. Because it can affect blood pressure, heart rhythm symptoms, and cardiac drugs, clinician oversight is important for anyone with cardiovascular disease.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a herb most often used for may improve exercise tolerance or symptoms in mild heart failure as adjunctive care, may modestly lower blood pressure, supports endothelial and coronary circulation markers. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 300-1,800 mg/day standardized leaf and flower extract, often standardized to oligomeric procyanidins or flavonoids, commonly taken as standardized crataegus leaf and flower extract such as ws 1442 or equivalent. This profile indexes 3 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: may improve exercise tolerance or symptoms in mild heart failure as adjunctive care, may modestly lower blood pressure, supports endothelial and coronary circulation markers. 3 sources indexed (2006–2008), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Hawthorn leaf, flower, and berry contain oligomeric procyanidins, flavonoids, and triterpenes that may improve endothelial nitric oxide signaling, coronary blood flow, mild vasodilation, and myocardial contractility. Some data suggest antioxidant effects and inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. These same cardiovascular actions create interaction concerns with antihypertensives, nitrates, beta blockers, digoxin, and heart failure regimens.1,3
Dosing & protocol.
Take with meals to improve tolerability. Cardiovascular effects may develop gradually over weeks.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized hawthorn extract capsule.
Clinically studied standardized extracts are more expensive than berry powders. Updated 2026-06-04.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Dizziness or low blood pressure
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Headache
- Palpitations in susceptible users
- Sedation in some users
Contraindications
- Heart failure, arrhythmia, angina, or significant cardiovascular disease without clinician supervision1,2
- Use with digoxin, nitrates, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or antihypertensive drugs without clinician guidance
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data1,2
- Scheduled surgery or unstable blood pressure3
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failurePittler MH et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2008
Adjunctive hawthorn improved some symptoms and physiologic measures in chronic heart failure trials, but evidence quality and safety context require caution.
Randomized controlled trials
2- 2The efficacy and safety of Crataegus extract WS 1442 in patients with heart failure: The SPICE trialHolubarsch CJF et al. · European Journal of Heart Failure · 2008
WS 1442 was evaluated as add-on therapy and had mixed outcomes, with signals in some subgroups.
- 3Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trialWalker AF et al. · British Journal of General Practice · 2006
Hawthorn extract reduced diastolic blood pressure in a small diabetes population taking prescribed drugs.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Hawthorn (Crataegus), drawn from the data on this page.
What is Hawthorn (Crataegus)?
Hawthorn is a traditional cardiotonic herb studied mainly as adjunctive support in mild heart failure and for blood pressure. Evidence suggests possible symptom improvement in some heart failure populations, but it must not replace medical heart failure therapy. Because it can affect blood pressure, heart rhythm symptoms, and cardiac drugs, clinician oversight is important for anyone with cardiovascular disease.
What is Hawthorn (Crataegus) used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Hawthorn (Crataegus) include: May improve exercise tolerance or symptoms in mild heart failure as adjunctive care; May modestly lower blood pressure; Supports endothelial and coronary circulation markers; Provides flavonoid antioxidant activity. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Hawthorn (Crataegus)?
A typical adult dose of Hawthorn (Crataegus) is 300-1,800 mg/day standardized leaf and flower extract, often standardized to oligomeric procyanidins or flavonoids. The commonly recommended form is Standardized Crataegus leaf and flower extract such as WS 1442 or equivalent. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Hawthorn (Crataegus)?
Reported side effects include dizziness or low blood pressure, nausea or stomach upset, headache, palpitations in susceptible users, sedation in some users. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Hawthorn (Crataegus)?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Hawthorn (Crataegus) in NutriStack.
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