The hawthorn berry and flowering-top extract is widely used by physicians in Europe for their effect on the cardiovascular system. Studies have shown hawthorn extracts to be helpful in reducing angina attacks by dilating the coronary vessels, as well as improvement of the metabolic processes in the heart. They also lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels.
As the amount of active ingredients can vary from product to product, standardized extracts are the preferred form. The dosage for hawthorn extracts standardized to contain 1.8 percent vitexin-4′-rhamnoside or 10% procyanidins is 100 to 250mg tid.