This is Starwest's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack.

Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture.

Hawthorn is safe for long-term use.

The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Hawthorn leaf and flower for 'Decreasing cardiac output as described in functional Stage II of NYHA [New York Heart Assoc. clinical definition].

'Special Caution for Use: A physician must be consulted in cases where symptoms continue unchanged for longer than six weeks or in case of swelling of the legs. Medical diagnosis is absolutely necessary when pains occur in the region of the heart, spreading out to the arms, upper abdomen or the area around the neck, or in cases of respiratory distress (dyspnea).'

'Dosage and Administration: 160 - 900 mg native, water-ethanol extract (ethanol 45 percent v/v or methanol 70 percent v/v, drug-extract ratio = 4 - 7:1, with defined flavonoid or procyanidin content), corresponding to 30 - 168.7 mg procyanidins, calculated as epicatechin, or 3.5 - 19.8 mg flavonoids, calculated as hyperoside in accordance with DAB 10, in two or three individual doses. Hawthorn fluidextract DAB 10: Equivalent individual or daily dosage must be confirmed by clinical-pharmacological experiment or clinical study. Mode of Administration: Liquid or dry pharmaceutical forms, for oral intake.
Duration of Administration: 6 weeks minimum.'

Hawthorn has a long history in both folk medicine and clinical medicine as a heart tonic. The herb is typically used to improve cardiovascular function, as it increases the supply of blood to the heart muscle, resulting in enhanced circulation throughout the body. It has been shown to help stabilize angina pectoris, as well as aiding recovery from heart attacks.

The leaves, flowers, and berries of hawthorn contain a variety of bioflavonoid-like complexes that appear to be primarily responsible for the cardiac actions of the plant. Hawthorn seems to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and reduce production of the potent blood vessel-constricting substance angiotensin II. Hawthorn thus reduces resistance in arteries and improves extremity circulation. The bioflavonoids in hawthorn are potent antioxidants.

Numerous double-blind clinical trials have confirmed hawthorn is beneficial for persons with serious heart conditions.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Cardiac, diuretic, astringent, tonic. Mainly used as a cardiac tonic in organic and functional heart troubles. Both flowers and berries are astringent and useful in decoction to cure sore throats. A useful diuretic in dropsy and kidney troubles.'

'Preparation and dosage: Fluid Extract of Berries, 10 to 15 drops.'

'The leaves have been used as an adulterant for tea. An excellent liqueur is made from Hawthorn berries with brandy.'

American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'Dr. Jennings, of Chicago, in October, 1896, published in the New York Medical Journal a letter containing the following statement:

'To this date I have successfully treated with crataegus one hundred and eighteen patients who were suffering with various forms of heart disease.... Of one hundred and fifty-seven reports from other physicians using the drug in their practice.... From these results my deductions are that Crataegus Oxyacantha is superior to any other of the well known and tried remedies at present in use in the treatment of heart disease, because it seems to cure while the other remedies are only palliative at best.'

'Crataegus may be regarded as specific, or the nearest approach to a specific, in the following cardiac diseases: Angina pectoris, valvular deficiency, with or without enlargement, endo-myo and pericarditis, tachycardia, rheumatism (co-called) of the heart, cardiac neuralgias, from whatever cause, palpitation, vertigo, apoplexy, dropsy, and functional derangements.'

'The dose of ten to fifteen drops, heretofore announced, is too much, and a dose of from four to eight drops, four times a day, is to be substituted.'

'Jennings advises the use of tonics and auxiliary agents to meet the indications in extreme cases of heart disease, where a long train of symptoms has developed from the imperfect circulation and deficiency of oxygenation of the blood. He says in treating heart disease, he was strikingly impressed with the rapidity with which cardiac dropsy disappeared under the influence of crataegus.'

http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb97.htm:

Clinical Trials

Euphytose (mixture of Crataegus, Ballota, Passiflora, Valeriana, Cola and Paullinia) reduced anxiety more than placebo in a double blind study with 182 patients Bourin 1997

Folk usage and modern clinical trials indicate benefit for congestive heart failure. No adverse drug reactions have been reported [Article in German] Weihmayr 1996

Extract WS 1442 benefited patients with NYHA stage II cardiac insufficiency in a double blind study with 136 patients treated with extract WS 1442 or placebo for 8 weeks. There was improvement in heart rate, blood pressure, shortness of breath and edema Weikl 1996

Exercise blood pressure and pulse were improved by 8 weeks of extract WS 1442 compared with placebo in a trial with 30 patients with stage NYHA II cardiac insufficiency Leuchtgens 1993

Crataegus can be used for cardiological indications for which digitalis is not (yet) indicated. The effects, mainly from the flavonoids, indicate a simultaneous cardiotropic and vasodilatory action, as confirmed clinically in controlled studies Blesken 1992

Treatment of decreasing cardiac performance. Therapy using standardized crataegus extract in advanced age [Article in German] O'Conolly 1986

Therapeutic effect of Crataegus pinnatifida on 46 cases of angina pectoris--a double blind study. Weng 1984