Hawthorn 

This fact sheet provides basic information about hawthorn—common names, uses, 

potential side effects, and resources for more information. Hawthorn is a spiny, 

flowering shrub or small tree of the rose family. The species of hawthorn discussed 

here are native to northern European regions and grow throughout the world. 

Common Names—hawthorn, English hawthorn, harthorne, haw, hawthorne 

Latin Names—Crataegus laevigata (also known as Crataegus oxyacantha), 

Crataegus monogyna 

What It Is Used For 

•	 Hawthorn fruit has been used for heart disease since the first century. It has 

also been used for digestive and kidney problems. 

•	 More recently, hawthorn leaf and flower have been used for heart failure, 

a weakness of the heart muscle that prevents the heart from pumping 

enough blood to the rest of the body, which can lead to fatigue and 

limit physical activities. 

•	 Hawthorn is also used for other heart conditions, including symptoms of 

coronary artery disease (such as angina). 

How It Is Used 

The hawthorn leaf and flower are used to make liquid extracts, usually with 

water and alcohol. Dry extracts can be put into capsules and tablets. 

What the Science Says 

•	 There is scientific evidence that hawthorn leaf and flower are safe and 

effective for milder forms of heart failure. 

•	 There is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether hawthorn 

works for other heart problems. 

•	 NCCAM-supported research to date includes a study of the mechanism by 

which hawthorn may affect heart failure. 

Side Effects and Cautions 

•	 Hawthorn is considered safe for most adults when used for short periods of 

time. Side effects are usually mild and can include upset stomach, 

headache, and dizziness. 

•	 Drug interactions with hawthorn have not been thoroughly studied. It was 

once thought that hawthorn interacted with the heart medicine digoxin. 

However, a very small study in people without heart conditions found no 

interaction, but evidence is limited. 
 

♦♦♦

•	 Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you 

use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. 

Sources 

Busse WR, Juretzek W, Koch E. Hawthorn (Crataegus). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of
 

Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:337-347. 


De Smet PA. Herbal Remedies. New England Journal of Medicine. 2002;347(25):2046-2056. 


Hawthorn. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on July 5, 2007. 


Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata, C. oxyacantha, C. monogyna, C. penagyna). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed 


at http://www.naturalstandard.com on July 3, 2007. 


Hawthorn. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs.
 

Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:182-191. 


For More Information 

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view: 

•	 What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/ 

•	 Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/ 

NCCAM Clearinghouse 

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov 

CAM on PubMed 

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ 

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov 

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. 

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for 

the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to 

discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of 

any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. 

National Institutes of Health 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

D344 

Created December 2006 

Updated May 2008 

*D344*