Crataegus oxycantha (Hawthorne) - Natural Medical Protocols

Crataegus oxycantha
(Hawthorne)

Adaptogen specific for the circulatory system
Cardiotonic
Collagen stabilizing action
Cross links collagen fibers
Improves cardiac metabolism
Improves coronary circulation by dilating coronary vessels
Increases and sustains action of arterioles with principle influence on the myocardium
Increases enzyme metabolism in heart muscle
Increases intracellular vitamin C levels and stabilizes it
Increases oxygen utilization by the heart
Inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme
Inhibits cAMP phosphodiesterase thus increasing the levels of cAMP
Inhibits enzymatic cleavage by enzymes secreted by leukocytes during inflammation
Prevents free radical damage
Prevents the release and synthesis of compounds that promote inflammation (histamine, prostaglandins, serine proteases, leukotrienes)
Regulates distribution of heart rhythm
Restores myocardial reserve
Sedative
Trophorestorative

Enhances the effects of digitalis, g-strophanthin, the cardiac herbs, Convallaria majalis and Adonis vernalis, and the cardiac glycosides, digitoxin and digoxin, due to the polymeric procyanidins