Herbs Hands Healing Ltd - Contraindications and Drug interactions of Hawthorn

Hawthorn

Herbal Constituents and Uses | Contraindications | Further Information

Common Name:	Hawthorn	Photo gallery
Genus / Species:	Crataegus oxyacantha
Part Used:	Berries, leaves, flowers
Energetics:	Sour, sweet, slightly warm
Meridians:	Heart, spleen, stomach, liver
Active Constituents	Bioflavonoids, rutin, quercitin Triterpenoids Cyanogenic glycosides Amines (trimethylamine- in flowers only) Polyphenols Coumarins Tannins Cratecoliceonolic acid Saponins
Medical Use:	Cardiotonic/protector Dilates blood vessels Relaxant Anti-oxidant
Dose:	Tincture, glycerate, decoction F. Tincture 5mls, 2 or 3 times daily. Decoction 3 cups daily. Glycerate 1 teaspoon, 2 or 3 times daily. ESCOP Tincture 20 drops 2 to 3 x daily Glycerate 50 drops 3 x daily.

Contraindications

1) Do not use with low blood pressure.
2) Do not use this herb in combination with cardiotonics such as digitalis, convallaria majalis, Adonis veralis, as it has been shown to enhance the activity of these medications.
3) Do not combine this herb with cardiac glycosides such as digitoxin and digoxin, as this herb is known to enhance their activity due to hawthorn?s polymeric procyanidins. However, it is also reported that the use of hawthorn reduces the toxicity of these cardia glycosides, by its coronary vasodilating and anti-arrhythmic effects.
4) Do not use this herb with beta blockers as it has the potential of increasing blood pressure.

The information contained in these pages is an indication of possible contraindications, but if you are at all concerned about any herb and its suitability for personal use please contact a herbal practitioner in your area or contact us.