The Heart-Healthy Berry

Vegetarian Times, May, 1999

Who'd have thought those little red berries of the hawthorn plant would turn out to be such powerful defenders of the heart? It's true: The plant's extract contains potent compounds called oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) that improve blood and oxygen flow to the heart by dilating the coronary arteries. The flavonoids found in the plant also help in the process. These functions have led Germany's herbal authority, Commission E, to approve the plant for treatment in a variety of mild cardiac conditions. The most common ailment for which hawthorn is prescribed is angina, a condition that's characterized by recurrent episodes of chest pain and puts sufferers at increased rise of cardiac arrest. Hawthorn doesn't relieve pain during the onset of an attack, but cumulative use (240 to 480 milligrams daily of standardized extract for as long as your health care provider recommends) may allow people on heart medication to lower their dosages.

Hawthorn is also a strong diuretic, meaning it flushes the body of excess water and salt, which can lower blood pressure--another benefit for your ticker. But because this powerful supplement can increase heart rate and irritate the muscle, it should only be used under a specialist's care.