Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus)
Commonly used for
Heart Health
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The cheapest product is usually low quality, but more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
What is it? / Overview
Hawthorn flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins have a mild positive inotropic effect and cause endothelium-mediated vasodilation, which improved quality-of-life and functional measures in earlier heart-failure trials. However, a large modern RCT (SPICE/WS 1442, over 5,000 patients) missed its primary endpoint, and the American Heart Association's own scientific statement notes a possible harm signal in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction specifically -- most of the positive historical data predate today's standard heart-failure drug therapy.
How is it used? / Administration
Form: Crataegus leaf-and-flower extract, standardized (e.g. WS 1442) -- an adjunct only, never a substitute for guideline-directed heart failure therapy
Typical dose studied: Standardized extract commonly ~900 mg/day (up to ~1,800 mg) in studied heart-failure regimens
Timing: Daily, divided; benefit assessed over weeks to months
Contraindicated against a reported heart-failure diagnosis specifically because the AHA has flagged a possible harm signal in reduced-ejection-fraction heart failure -- this is a case where the population most associated with the supplement's traditional use is also the population it's suppressed for on this platform, which is the intentionally conservative, safety-first choice given the app can't distinguish NYHA class or ejection fraction from a self-reported condition checkbox.
How well does it work? / Evidence
~ Moderate evidence
Who should avoid it?
Avoid with: Heart failure / Congestive heart failure; Breastfeeding
Interacts with: Digoxin -- conflicting interaction data, caution/monitor if combined; Vasodilators, antihypertensives -- additive hypotension risk
Already taking it? This is an adjunct-only supplement, never a substitute for guideline-directed heart failure therapy -- anyone with a heart failure diagnosis should have this discussed directly with their cardiologist, not self-directed, which is why it's contraindicated here rather than actively recommended even though heart failure symptom relief is its main studied use.
Research & references
Chow SL et al. (2023). Complementary and Alternative Medicines in the Management of Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. Liperoti R et al. (2017). Herbal Medications in Cardiovascular Medicine. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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