What it is
These are the leaves and flowers of Crataegus, hawthorn. The European monograph grants it a narrow traditional use: relieving temporary heart complaints of nervous origin, such as palpitations or the feeling of extra beats from mild anxiety, after a doctor has ruled out disease.
That last condition changes everything at the counter. Palpitations are a heart symptom until a doctor says otherwise; hawthorn is not a treatment for heart failure, high blood pressure or arrhythmias.
How it works
What is known:
- Its flavonoids and procyanidins have effects on heart muscle and vessels in experimental studies
- The monograph recognises only a traditional use, for mild nervous complaints
- Its effect is slow and gentle: it is judged after several weeks
At the counter
When to recommend it
- Mild palpitations of nervous origin already assessed by a doctor
- A feeling of extra beats at stressful times, once a heart cause is ruled out
- Adults looking for a gentle option for these complaints
- With follow-up by their doctor
When not to
- Unassessed palpitations, chest pain, breathlessness or leg swelling: refer
- Treatment with digoxin or other heart medicines, without checking
- As a replacement for a prescribed cardiovascular treatment
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding, for lack of data
Warnings
- Important Any undiagnosed heart symptom (palpitations, chest pain, breathlessness, ankle swelling) is referred to the doctor.
- Important With digoxin and other heart medicines it can add effects: do not combine without checking.
- Caution It does not replace any prescribed cardiovascular treatment.
- Caution Not recommended under 12, or in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Worth knowing It can cause stomach upset, dizziness or headache.
How it is used
- First of all: the heart symptom must have been assessed by a doctor.
- Taken spread through the day, at the product's dose.
- The effect is judged after a few weeks of continuous use.
- Not recommended under 12.
When it fits and when to refer
| Aspect | Hawthorn can be considered | Refer to the doctor |
|---|---|---|
| Palpitations | Nervous, already diagnosed | New or unassessed |
| Chest pain | Never | Always, and if severe, emergency care |
| Breathlessness | Never | Always |
| Heart treatment | Only if the doctor knows | If they want to change or stop it |
| Age | Adults | Children with heart symptoms |
Hawthorn has a small place, and always after the doctor. The counter decides to refer, not to treat the heart.
Self-assessment
Three questions. When you check your answers you will see the explanation for each one.
-
Hawthorn's traditional use is for nervous complaints ALREADY assessed. A new heart symptom is referred.
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It can add effects with heart medicines such as digoxin: do not combine without checking.
-
It is not a treatment for heart failure, high blood pressure or arrhythmias.
Training content. It does not replace the summary of product characteristics or clinical judgement.