Hawthorn Berries against Hypertension

Note: Hawthorn Extract capsule is being marketed by Health Builders Sdn. Bhd. of Malaysia

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is called “a silent killer” in everyday life, since this disease in many cases remains unnoticed or invisible for many years before it finally reveals its devastating influence on the heart functioning.

On the other hand, high blood pressure can be effectively treated if it is uncovered on its early stages. In this case, people have a chance to eliminate the damage and harm this disease can do to the vital organ of the human body.

One of the most powerful herbs, used by people for ages to treat hypertension, is hawthorn. Europeans were the ones to discover, get to know and value its ability to improve circulation, heart functioning, reduce tachycardia, fight atherosclerosis, and, of course, regulate blood pressure.

Hawthorn berries are claimed to be the most valuable plant’s parts in reducing high blood pressure. It is due to the main constituents of the berries that hypertension has to step back when a person gets the treatment with hawthorn. The elements that pay the core role here are flavonoids (condensed tannin phlobaphene) and cyanogenic glycosides.

Working in a partnership, the above mentioned ingredients relax and dilate blood vessels (especially coronary arteries) by blocking the action of the blood constricting enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), as well as producing a sedative effect on the heart. Such action results in the increased heart’s energy supply and its improved pumping ability.

Consequently, this activity is explained to reduce high blood pressure. In addition, hawthorn is known as a diuretic, capable of reducing blood volume, and an anti-oxidant, preventing plaque forming in the arteries. These are also said to be of great help in fighting hypertension.

Though the mechanism of hawthorn action, described above, has not got the support of all the scientists, and many doctors tend to doubt and underline that a lot of questions about hawthorn properties and work in the human organism still remain, several studies conducted on the plant report about its effectiveness in treating mild hypertension and high blood pressure in the early stages.

To support the above said with naked facts, it is reasonable to mention data of some trials. For example, in one of them patients noticed the drop in blood pressure of 10 to 15 points over eight weeks, being treated with 300 mg of hawthorn three times a day. Another study reports of the blood pressure reduction in people with type 2 diabetes over 16 weeks of treatment with 1200 mg of hawthorn per day.  

To make a conclusion it is reasonable to state that hawthorn therapy proves to be effective, producing little or no side effects, and allowing a long-term usage. Moreover, once the results are noticed, a patient can either lower the dose of herbal remedy, or stop using it at all, enjoying at the same time obvious improvements of cardiovascular system functioning.

Source:- http://www.chinese-herbs.org/hawthorn/