Hawthorn
(Crataegus Oxyacantha)
What is it?
Native to Europe, hawthorn has a reputation as a heart tonic. Hawthorn acts to strengthen blood capillaries and connective tissue. Hawthorn improves the blood supply to the heart, improves the strength of heart muscle contraction, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reduces angina attacks.
What it does in the body
Hawthorn is used to treat atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias.