Crataegus – Hawthorn

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh, ripe fruits of the plant, Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq. emend. Lindm. (and their hy- brids), which grow in hedgerows and on the edge of woodlands in Europe and the temperate parts of Asia. N.O. Rosaceae.

Hawthorn is an effective heart and circulatory remedy which, even in overdoses and long-term use, produces no toxic side-effects. Crataegus does not only act as a heart tonic generally, but also in weakness of the heart following infections, and thus may be applied in retoxic impregnation phases, and particularly in heart condi- tions of the elderly, as a long-term treatment. Numerous studies of Crataegus have appeared in the last few years, concerned with the pharmacodynamics of Hawthorn.

R. F. Weiss (“Hippokrates” 602, 15 [1963]) describes Crataegus as one of the most- used remedies, especially in minor heart-therapy.

Thus, in respect of its action, Crataegus is somewhat opposed to Digitalis, discov- ered by Withering 180 years ago, which is used in so-called major heart-therapy. The basic effects of Crataegus tincture usually become apparent only after it has been in use for a longer period of time, whilst the patient feels easier and more ca- pable after only a few doses. Such conditions as angina pectoris with pressure in the praecordium, sensation of constriction, easily-occurring air-hunger etc., usually show an immediate improvement and then with long-term use this becomes a lasting one, especially if additional single remedies are combined with Crataegus (e.g. Spigelia).

Whilst Digitalis may be described as the sovereign remedy for obvious cardiac in- sufficiency (Weiss), Crataegus is indicated more for degenerative conditions of the heart, especially in heart conditions of the elderly, when hypertrophy accompanies hypertension, for the consequences of myocardial infarction and myocardial fibrosis, in myocardial ischaemia and angina pectoris. Thus Crataegus is excellent as a pro- phylactic for angina pectoris, and is indicated as soon as the slightest symptoms ap-

pear, since the effects will usually be seen immediately and are deep-acting. Howev- er, in manifest cardiac insufficiency, Digitalis preparations are also indicated in the first instance.

The action of Crataegus preparations stems from flavinoids (Flavine and Flavan, also Aminopurine), and from other substances not yet clearly defined in terms of their action, which have a completely differing effect from that of the glycosides. In experiments it was not possible to raise the level of heart-activity as such with Crataegus preparations. Of course, this action of Crataegus only appears after it has been taken for some time. Weiss mentions three points of attack in Crataegus’ ac- tion. These are:

1. An improvement in the coronary flow of blood;
2. An effect on the heart muscle itself, i.e. on the interstitial cell groups of the my- ocardium, these being credited with providing the energy for fibrillations;
3. An effect on the impulse system, this effect only being observed when large doses have been injected intravenously.

Crataegus probably also acts as a general cell stimulant, as it appears from feeding experiments carried out over a nine year period by Klatt, the Director of the Zoolog- ical Institute at Hamburg University. In 1956 he reported on the breeding of the but- terfly Ocneria dispar. This breed, near to extinction, clearly as a result of wrong feeding for nine years on alder leaves, had its diet changed radically to hawthorn leaves. The whole breed was regenerated and ceased to be depleted by regular infec- tious diseases, large, powerful butterflies developing which would lay several hun- dred eggs each at a time. After six years’ observation of these positive results, which continued, Klatt reported the feeding on Crataegus leaves as being the cause of the improvement in the breed. He ascribes to Crataegus the action of a general cell stim- ulant.

E. Holtzem of the Pharmacological Institute of Bonn University checked these feeding experiments with Crataegus on the fruit-fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Com- pared with a control group which received normal food, he found in a group of five generations, which received Crataegus leaves in addition, a distinct increase in off- spring. Feeding with pure oleander acid, which is one of the triterpene acids of the hawthorn, also produced the same result.

Weiss sees the centre of gravity of Digitalis therapy as being more clinically orien- tated, whereas that of Crataegus is more practice-orientated. Weiss considers ongoing treatment with Crataegus to be necessary, and places less importance on the size of single doses.

A further conclusion to be drawn from the experiments with Ocneria dispar is that the action of Crataegus is not confined to the circulation, but extends to other systems too. So we find in human beings not only an action on the heart, but also a general toning action on the circulation, Crataegus having a regulating effect on the blood pressure and thereby also on the tension in the peripheral circulation. The regulation of blood pressure appears to take place partly centrally and partly peripherally.

When the information is concisely arranged, we find the following main indica- tions for Crataegus:

1. 1.   Weakness of the heart muscle, including that of a toxic nature e.g. in retoxic im- pregnation phases. (Infectious toxic weakness of the heart-muscle).
2. Myocarditis, cardiomyopathy.
3. Heart conditions of old age. Athlete’s heart. Fatty degeneration of the heart.
4. Hypertension. General arteriosclerosis.
5. Myocardial ischaemia. Disturbances of coronary circulation with angina pectoris.
6. Support of the circulation in infectious diseases and fever. (Influenza, pneumonia etc.).

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Crataegus, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for crataegus: cardiocirculatory disorders such as cardiac insufficiency, geriatric heart, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, and dysarteriotony.