Consumption of Hawthorn dilates both the coronary and peripheral arteries resulting in significantly improved blood circulation to the heart. At the same time, the procyanidins contained in Hawthorn leaves slow down the heartbeat. Clinical research shows that patients in the second stage of heart failure (NYHA stage II) who were given an infusion of hawthorn leaves and flowers, observed a significant reduction in palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath.
Hawthorn is generally considered valuable in reducing high blood pressure, treating angina and heart arrhythmia, arterial spasms (Reynaud's disease) and treating heart valve disease.