This Neglected Herb with Healing Properties Could Benefit Your Heart

Overview

Hawthorn, an herb with a long history in religious and traditional medicine, shows promise in modern healthcare. Explore the potential benefits of this botanical for your well-being.

Ancient cultures like the Celts, Greeks, and Romans held hawthorn in high esteem for its mystical properties and ceremonial uses. Traditional healers used hawthorn for heart, digestion, and kidney health, and current scientific research supports these traditional applications.

Heart failure is a common health issue affecting numerous individuals each year. Studies by medical professionals have shown that hawthorn may significantly improve symptoms associated with heart failure.

Understanding Heart Failure

Heart failure often arises from narrowed arteries that strain the heart muscle, impeding efficient blood circulation. While conventional treatments include medication and surgery, hawthorn has emerged as a potential complementary solution.

Research suggests that hawthorn extract can boost cardiac function, reduce heart oxygen consumption, and enhance exercise tolerance in heart failure patients.

Promoting Overall Health

Research on hawthorn highlights a range of health benefits:

Decreasing artery inflammation: Combination of hawthorn with resveratrol can safeguard artery walls after heart surgery.
Supporting liver well-being: Hawthorn's polyphenols aid in combating liver stress caused by modern diets.
Managing blood pressure: Hawthorn extract, in conjunction with vitamin C, exhibits potential in controlling hypertension.
Protecting against brain damage from pesticides: Hawthorn extracts offer protective effects against pesticide-induced brain dysfunction.

Insights and Recommendations

The medicinal properties of hawthorn have endured over time. Traditional practices, like consuming charred hawthorn post-meal for digestive support, are gaining recognition alongside its health benefits.

Consider incorporating hawthorn into your wellness regimen to harness its natural healing properties.

References

Fadó R, Molins A, Rojas R, Casals N. Feeding the Brain: Effect of Nutrients on Cognition, Synaptic Function, and AMPA Receptors. Nutrients. 2022 Oct 5;14(19):4137. doi: 10.3390/nu14194137. PMID: 36235789; PMCID: PMC9572450.

Zhang R, Zhang M, Wang P. The intricate interplay between dietary habits and cognitive function: insights from the gut-brain axis. Front Nutr. 2025 Jan 29;12:1539355. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1539355. PMID: 39944956; PMCID: PMC11813792.

"Food for the Brain" initiative by the Food for the Brain Foundation, a UK-based charity dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of nutrition and lifestyle on mental well-being and cognitive health.

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Susan Parker

Susan Parker is a 49-year-old Senior Manager at a marketing firm. With two older children becoming more independent, she is now focusing on her own health and wellbeing. She’s passionate about natural and holistic health approaches, and values high-quality, trustworthy products. Susan enjoys yoga, gardening, reading, and cooking, and seeks to stay energetic and sharp while balancing a busy career and personal life.