BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
Also known as: No synonyms listed.
This entry concerns Crataegus monogyna; do not extrapolate to the fruits or all Crataegus species.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
01 · UNDERSTAND
Properties & uses.
Palpitations associated with mild nervousness
Traditional use only after medical exclusion of heart disease; no treatment for heart failure is proposed.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
02 · UNDERSTAND THE ACTION
How does the plant act?
Hawthorn leaf and flower have traditional uses for mild stress, sleep and heart-related sensations linked to nervousness, after disease has been medically excluded. Extracts have also been studied in large cardiology trials. This second context is very different: monitored patients, continued conventional treatment and a specific extract. The results do not validate self-treatment of heart failure with herbal tea.
Constituents to know.
Their presence and quantity depend on the plant part and preparation.
- Oligomeric procyanidins
- Some studied extracts are adjusted to specified levels of these constituents. This characterisation identifies the extract, without proving equivalence to infused leaves and flowers.Read the reference
Relaxation and sleep
The monograph recognizes traditional use. Palpitations cannot be attributed to nervousness without prior assessment.
Read the referenceCardiac events: negative primary result
In SPICE, adding the extract to optimal treatment did not significantly change the primary outcome of occurrence of a first cardiac event.
Read the referenceWhat this means for preparation.
A study of a standardized extract in monitored patients does not provide evidence for any arbitrary relaxation product. Chest pain, feeling faint or breathlessness require medical care.
03 · EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
SPICE trial
- Type of research
- Multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial; 2,681 patients, 24 months.
- Preparation concerned
- Crataegus WS 1442 extract alongside heart failure care.
- Observed results
- No significant effect on the primary outcome.
- Limitations to consider
- Subgroup results do not replace this overall result. The shared botanical dossier does not provide an isolated effect for C. monogyna.
What can we take from this?
These data demonstrate neither general heart protection nor certain prevention of a cardiac event. Hawthorn fruits are not covered by the leaf-and-flower profile.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
04 · CHOOSE A PREPARATION
One plant, several preparations.
Only forms documented in this profile’s sources are presented.
InfusionLeaves and flowers · Route: oral
Comminuted leaves and flowers.
Please note: Check the preparation and its leaflet; concentrations are not interchangeable.
Read the sourcePowder or extractLeaves and flowers · Route: oral
Preparations defined in the monograph.
Please note: Check the preparation and its leaflet; concentrations are not interchangeable.
Read the source05 · BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications
- Do not use in cases of known allergy to this plant.
Medicine interactions
- Clinical interactions are not established in the report; when taking cardiac medication, obtain the prescriber's approval.
Adverse effects
- This entry does not provide an exhaustive list of adverse effects.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: not recommended due to lack of data.
Children & adolescents
No pediatric use is proposed here; check with a professional.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
06 · PUTTING KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE
Preparations & recipes.
No home recipe is provided in this profile. For an appropriate preparation, refer to the product leaflet and ask your pharmacist for advice.
07 · CHECK THE SOURCES
Sources for this profile.
- EMA — Crataegi folium cum flore: official dossierAccessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — monograph or public statement on Crataegus monogynaAccessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — assessment report on Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (leaves and flowers)Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Holubarsch et al. — Crataegus WS 1442, SPICE trial, 2008Accessed on 09/10/2026
Illustration: Elstro · CC BY 3.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.
A TOUCH OF SOLÉA
Myriam’s tip
Myriam is reviewing the tip for this profile.
Myriam
