Hawthorn berry Extract(Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.)

Hawthorn berry Extract(Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.)

Flavnones 2% by UV

General Description: Spiny tree, may grow 15-18 ft. tall, producing white flowers from April to June with red fruit.

Part Used: leaves and fruit.

Uses:
increase coronary circulation by dilating coronary vessels
hypotension
reduces inflammation and pain in arthritis
mild diuretic
astringent

Action: Contain active pigments called flavonoids that inhibit vasoconstriction and dilate blood vessels. They also cause sedative effects, depressing the CNS.
Dosage: Berries - 3-5 gms, as infusion
Tincture - (1:5) 4-5 ml
Fluid extract (1:1) - 1-2 ml.
Powder - 200-500 mg 3/times/day

Precautions/Adverse Effects: Use cautiously in hypertensive patients. Rare, however can produce sleeplessness, dizziness, headache, palpitation, and nausea.
Interactions with Drugs: Do not use with: coronary vasodilators, cardiovascular drugs, CNS depressants and digoxin.

Contraindications : with use of other concomitant use of herbs containing cardiac glycosides, like hemp roots, hedge mustard, motherwort, etc. Also those herbs containing cardioactive products like ginger, ginseng, devil's claw, etc. Contraindicated in pregnancy due to potential uterine activity.

Nursing Considerations:
Warn patients that it could take up to 2 weeks to acquired an observable effect.
Because hawthorn potentates the action of cardiac glycosides, patients should not use concurrently unless under medical supervision.
Do not self-medicate until further studies have been done to prove effective in treating and preventing atherosclerosis.
Heart disease should be diagnosed and monitored by a health care provider.
Hawthorn offers some advantages over digoxin in mild heart failure because it has a wider therapeutic range, lower risk of dosage errors, less arrhythmogenic potential, and less renal impairment. However, more research is warranted.