Hawthorn

By the early 1800s, american doctors recognized the herb's medicinal properties and began using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses. considered a "cardiotonic' herb or heart tonic, the flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant weree used in traditional medicine to treat irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure, Hawthorn is commonly used to strengthen the heart.

Hawthorn contains active compund with antioxidant properties. Antioxidant are substances that destroy free radicals damaging compunds in the body that alter cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but enviornmental toxins (including ultroviolet light, radiation, smoking, some non prescription and prescription medicine, and air pollution) can also increase the number of these damaging particles free radicals are believed to contribute to the aging process. (such as wrinkling) as well as the development of a number of health problems including cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants found in hawthorn may help stop some of the damage fro free radicals

Hawthorn contains many substances that may benefit the heart. However, it appears that two stbstances in particular flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins are most likely to contribute to hawthorn's beneficial effects on the heart. Flavonoids may help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, and protect the blood vessels from damage, Both flavonoids and OPCs have antioxidant effects

The berries, leaves, and flowers of the hawthorn plant are used for medicinal puposes. They leaves and flowers are believed to contain more of the active compunds than the berries. Today many health care professionals use hathorn to help protect against heart disease and help control high blood pressure and high cholesterol.