Support for a Healthy Heart
The traditional botanical hawthorn, in use since the 1600's, has been the most popular herb in America and Europe for supporting the heart for more than 300 years. Rich in flavonoids and procyanidins, hawthorn's primary activity is its unique ability to both increase coronary blood flow and increase the contractile strength of the heart, making for a stronger, more efficient heartbeat.
Botanical Support for the Heart
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is a small thorny tree with white flowers and red berries. It originated on the hillsides and sunny slopes of England, Europe, and North America. Hawthorn has been the subject of botanical writings since as early as the first century A.D.
Herbalists traditionally used all parts of the hawthorn plant, which has been regarded as the most important cardiac tonic in both Chinese and Western herbalism. Syrup of hawthorn berries was reportedly used as a heart tonic by the private physician of King Henry IV of France.
Research Validates Traditional Beliefs
Today modern research is confirming traditional beliefs about hawthorn. Hawthorn has been shown in animal studies to positively influence the contraction of heart muscle. More significantly, 14 clinical studies on humans have shown positive results for cardiovascular health.
Hawthorn's bioflavonoids have documented antioxidant activity, which is vital for protecting the heart from the ravages of free radicals. Source: Planetary Formulas
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Scientific References
- Schmidt, U., Kuhn, U., Ploch, M., Hubner, W.D. 1994. Efficacy of the hawthorn (Crataegus) preparation Ll 132 in 78 patients... hytomedicine 1: 17-24.
- Weikl, A., Abmus, K.D., Neukum-Schmidt, A., Schmitz, J., Zapfe, G., Noh, H.S., and Seigrist, J. 1996. Crataegul-spezialextrakt WS 1442: Objektivierter Wirksamkeitsnachweis bei Patienten mit Herzinsuffizienz (NYHA II). Fortschr Med 114: 291-6.
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