Benefit of Hawthorn in Chronic Heart Failure Confirmed.

A new meta-analysis of fourteen studies found Hawthorn Extract, a German Commission E phytopharmaceutical, to be of significant benefit in providing symptom control and physiologic relief in chronic heart failure. This meta-analysis was published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2008, Issue 1). Two researchers independently conducted the assessment of studies for potential inclusion in this analysis. To be included, studies were required to be randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, and to use hawthorn leaf and flower extract in an individual remedy form. In most studies hawthorn was an adjunct to conventional therapy.Hawthorn extract significantly increased exercise tolerance, compared to placebo. Symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue improved significantly while an index of cardiac oxygen consumption showed beneficial decrease. Adverse effects were infrequent, mild, and transient, including nausea, dizziness, and cardiac and gastrointestinal complaints.

Researchers stated that the results of their meta-analysis suggest a significant benefit in symptom control and physiologic relief for chronic heart failure from the use of hawthorn extract supplementation as an adjunctive treatment.