Hawthorn Extract with California Poppy and Magnesium Helped Anxiety: In a 284-patient DB PC French study of mild to moderate generalized anxiety, a preparation (Sympathyl) combining magnesium, hawthorne extract (Crataegus oxyacantha), and California poppy did better than placebo. Side-effects were 1.5% more common with the preparation than with placebo. Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts (Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders. Hanus M, Lafon J, Mathieu M. Curr Med Res Opin. 2004 Jan;20(1):63-71. Ed: Hawthorne extract is readily available at a low cost. California poppy is used for insomnia and also available, although I was unable to find a single study on human beings. The preparation is a French one and apparently not available in the U.S. at present.

Hawthorn Berry Extract Helped Heart Failure: In a DB PC 8-week multicenter study of 143 Swiss patients with heart failure done by a group called Bioforce, those given 30 drops of an extract three times a day had significantly better exercise tolerance than those on placebo. A randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of a standardised extract of fresh Crataegus berries (Crataegisan) in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure NYHA II. Degenring FH, Suter A, Weber M, Saller R. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(5):363-9

Hawthorn Extract Helpful for Heart Failure According to Meta-Analysis: In a meta-analysis of eight trials including 632 patients with chronic heart failure (New York Heart Association classes I to III) in which hawthorn extract or placebo was added to standard treatment, hawthorn extract was more beneficial than placebo (weighted mean difference, 7 Watt; P < 0.01; n = 310 patients). The pressure-heart rate product also showed a beneficial decrease (weighted mean difference, -20; n = 264 patients) with hawthorn treatment. Symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue improved significantly with hawthorn treatment as compared with placebo. Reported adverse events were infrequent, mild, and transient; they included nausea, dizziness, and cardiac and gastrointestinal complaints. Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure: meta-analysis of randomized trials. Pittler MH, et al. Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, United Kingdom. Am J Med. 2003 Jun 1;114(8):665-74. Ed: A large, controlled, multicenter trial in which mortality serves as the primary endpoint is needed.

Hawthorn Extract Compatible with Digoxin: A University of Michigan randomized, crossover trial with 8 healthy volunteers was performed evaluating digoxin 0.25 mg alone (D) for 10 days and digoxin 0.25 mg with Crataegus special extract WS 1442 (hawthorn leaves with flowers; Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals) 450 mg twice daily (D + H) for 21 days. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed for 72 hours. Digoxin levels were not affected. Interaction study between digoxin and a preparation of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha). Tankanow R, Tamer HR, Streetman DS, Smith SG, Welton JL, Annesley T, Aaronson KD, Bleske BE. J Clin Pharmacol. 2003 Jun;43(6):637-42

Hawthorn Extract Lowered Blood Pressure: In a 4-month DB PC study of 92 adults with mild hypertension, those taking extracts of the flavonoid-rich Iranian flower, Crataegus curvisepala Lind., three times daily showed a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic BP after 3 months (p < 0.05). Antihypertensive effect of Iranian Crataegus curvisepala Lind.: a randomized, double-blind study. Asgary S, et al. Isfahan, Iran.

Hawthorn: Possible Benefit for Hypertension and Anxiety: In a 10-week DB PC study of 36 mildly hypertensive adults studying (a) 600 mg Mg, (b) 500 mg hawthorn extract, (c) a combination of (a) and (b), or (d) placebo showed only reduction (p = 0.081) in the resting diastolic blood pressure at week 10 in the 19 subjects who were assigned to the hawthorn extract, compared with the other groups. Furthermore, a trend towards a reduction in anxiety (p = 0.094) was also observed in those taking hawthorn compared with the other groups. Promising hypotensive effect of hawthorn extract: a randomized double-blind pilot study of mild, essential hypertension. Walker AF, et al. University of Reading, UK. Phytother Res. 2002 Feb;16(1):48-54

Hawthorn Extract and D-Camphor Combination Used for Postural Hypotension: A number of studies show very-short, acute benefit, but I have not seen longer-term benefit studies. Phytomedicine. 2002 Oct;9(7):581-8.