Discussion: Hawthorne berry has been used as a traditional herbal remedy for nutritional support of the heart. It expands the coronary blood vessels, lowers cholesterol levels, and restores heart muscle. It has been shown to increase the intracellular vitamin C levels. It is useful for anemia, cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, high cholesterol and lowered immunity.

Hawthorn has been shown to increase blood flow and improve the heart's metabolism, which allows it to function with less oxygen. It will dilate blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely and this is how it is effective at lowering blood pressure. Studies have shown that hawthorn berries are excellent for both prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease when used on a regular basis.

Hawthorn has the ability to increase oxygen utilization by the heart, it increases enzyme metabolism in the heart muscle, it acts as a very mild dilator of the heart muscles, and it serves as a peripheral vasodilator (dilating the blood vessels out in the arms, head and legs) thereby lowering the blood pressure and reducing the burden placed on the heart. It can actually be used for both high and low blood pressure, because of its strengthening action on the heart.

Hawthorn berries are primarily used as a heart tonic and considered very valuable in improving weak hearts, handling heart pain, valve defects, murmurs, and enlarged hearts. There is evidence that it is effective at facilitating mitral valve regurgitation, easing cardiac pain, regulating both rapid and feeble heart beats, increasing oxygen levels when there is a lack of oxygen in the blood, reducing heart strain due to overexertion, and helping a person who is experiencing difficulty with breathing when the difficulty stems from ineffective heart action. It is useful in cholesterol reduction.

It is effective in relieving restlessness, insomnia and tension.