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Botanical

Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus) is a thorny shrub of the rose family whose berries, leaves and flowers are used in herbal medicine, mainly in relation to the heart.

Also listed as Hawthorne, Organic Hawthorn, Hawthorn Berry, Hawthorn Berrries

LongevityCardiovascularStress & MoodImmune Support

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Oxidative stressLongevityModerateBNo linked study
Blood pressureCardiovascularSmallBNo linked study
Cholesterol balanceCardiovascularSmallCNo linked study
Mood SupportStress & MoodSmallCNo linked study
AnxietyStress & MoodSmallCNo linked study
InflammationSmallCNo linked study
All 7 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

Which part of hawthorn?

Hawthorn is a flowering shrub or tree in the rose family. European herbal-medicine guidance concerns leaves and flowers; it does not cover every berry, root or combination product sold under the name. 1 2

Why people take it

Essential Health17.2%
Cardiovascular15.6%
Immune Support11.6%
Energy11.2%
Longevity11.2%
Stress & Mood6.3%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Can trial findings justify replacing heart-failure medicines?

No. The Cochrane trials generally tested hawthorn as an addition to conventional treatment. 3

Did SPICE prevent cardiac events overall?

It did not significantly improve the primary endpoint, time to the first cardiac event. 4

Does traditional registration prove an anxiety treatment?

No. EMA’s conclusion rests on longstanding use with insufficient clinical-trial evidence. 2

Are berries, leaves and roots interchangeable?

The EMA assessment specifically covers leaf-and-flower preparations, not every hawthorn product. 2

Sources

  1. Hawthorn NIH NCCIH
  2. Crataegi folium cum flore European Medicines Agency