Plant Profile

Midland Hawthorn

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 14, 2026

Crataegus laevigata

Family: Rosaceae · Parts used: Flower, Fruit, Leaf · Also known as: woodland hawthorn, may tree

The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 4 pharmacological actions, 7 traditional / indicated uses, with 23 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Small deciduous tree or large shrub with thorny branches and glossy, shallowly lobed leaves (less deeply cut than common hawthorn). Clusters of small, five-petalled white (occasionally pink) flowers with a strong scent appear in spring, followed by small red berries (haws), each usually containing two seeds (nutlets).^[1]

Height: 4-8 m

Habit: Small deciduous, thorny tree or large shrub

Leaves: Glossy, shallowly lobed (less deeply cut than C. monogyna)

Flowers: Clusters of small, five-petalled white to pink, strongly scented flowers

Stem: Thorny branches; grey, fissured bark on older wood

Root: Deep, spreading root system

Fruit: Small red berry (haw), usually with two seeds

Flowering Period: April-May

Habitat & Distribution

Grows in woodland, woodland edges, hedgerows and scrub, typically on richer, damper soils than common hawthorn; native to western and central Europe.^[1]

Harvesting

Flowers are picked as they open in spring, leaves are picked with the young flowering shoots, and the ripe red berries (haws) are gathered in autumn; all three parts are used, often combined, in hawthorn preparations.^[1]

Parts: Flower, Fruit, Leaf

Season: Flower and leaf in spring; fruit in autumn

Key Constituents

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins and flavonoids^[5]

The principal cardioactive and antioxidant constituents, the basis for extract standardisation.

ProanthocyanidinsFlavonoidsQuercetin

Phenolic acids

Additional antioxidant constituents of the flower, leaf and fruit.

Phenolic acidsChlorogenic acid

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[9, 16, 17]}

Antioxidant^{[2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17]}

Antispasmodic^{[2, 10, 11, 16, 17]}

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Sedative / sleep support^{[12, 16, 17]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[16, 17]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Cardiovascular / heart health^{[16, 17]}Preliminary · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Cardiovascular / heart health

more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[16, 17]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Insomnia / sleeplessness^{[16, 17]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from sedative action

Evidence: 1

Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^{[16, 17]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Menstrual cramps

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Muscle spasm^{[16, 17]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Muscle spasm

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[16, 17]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Hawthorn flower, leaf and berry have a long European tradition, and substantial modern clinical study, as a cardiovascular tonic - supporting heart function, mild circulatory complaints and calming nervous tension - reflected in its traditional use for 'heart strengthening' and its modern standing as a well-studied botanical for mild heart failure symptoms.^[1]

Preparations

Standardised extract^[1]

Leaf-and-flower extract standardised to flavonoid or oligomeric proanthocyanidin content, taken as tablets or capsules; the best-studied clinical form.

Dosage

Standardised extract^[15]

The EU herbal monograph on Crataegus spp., folium cum flore gives dry extracts in divided daily doses of 240-900 mg (single dose 80-450 mg) or, for one quantified extract, 570-1750 mg daily (single dose 190-350 mg), in adults and elderly. If symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks a doctor should be consulted, and hawthorn is never used as a substitute for prescribed heart medication without medical supervision. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Herbal tea^[15]

The EU herbal monograph gives 1-2 g of the comminuted leaf and flower in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion, up to 4 times daily (maximum 6 g daily), in adults and elderly. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[16, 17]}Caution

Generally safe and well tolerated. High doses may cause low blood pressure and sedation. May interact with cardiac glycosides (digoxin) and antihypertensive drugs. Consult a physician before using with existing heart medications.

Safety note^{[16, 17, 18]}Info

Duke (2002) rates hawthorn (Crataegus spp., including C. laevigata) as a triple-plus herb (+++) with Commission E approval (score 2-3) for decreasing cardiac output in functional Stage II heart insufficiency (NYHA). Clinical evidence supports hawthorn standardized extracts (80-500 mg, standardized to flavonoids or procyanidins) for angina, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Hawthorn may potentiate digitalis and other cardiac medications and is not considered suitable for self-medication without professional guidance (Duke, 2002).

Herb-Drug Interactions

Cardiac Glycosides^{[19, 20, 21]}Caution

Mechanism: Hawthorn has its own positive effect on the heart (a Cochrane review found it improves heart-failure symptoms and exercise tolerance) and shares P-glycoprotein handling with digoxin, so combining it with digoxin or other cardiac-glycoside heart drugs should be supervised even though a controlled study found no major change in digoxin levels.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Antihypertensives^{[20, 21]}Caution

Mechanism: Hawthorn can mildly lower blood pressure and reduce cardiac oxygen demand (a Cochrane meta-analysis found a lower pressure-heart-rate product), which may add to the effect of blood-pressure and heart-failure medicines.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Sedatives Cns Depressants^{[22, 23]}Caution

Mechanism: Hawthorn is traditionally used as a calming, sedative herb; taken with sedatives, sleeping tablets or other central-nervous-system depressants (including alcohol) it may add to drowsiness and slowed reactions.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Harvest Readiness

^[14]

Part: flower

Signals: Gather the flowering tops (the creamy-white flower clusters with the young leaves) in spring, as the clusters open.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Creamy-white, and sometimes pink or red flowers, which appear in clusters from mid-April.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Woodland Trust (REF-3234) for Crataegus laevigata; the flowers appear in spring (from mid-April) and are gathered with the young leaf (folium cum flore). Single source -> provisional.

^[14]

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the young leaves with the flowers in spring, as the flower clusters open.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Creamy-white, and sometimes pink or red flowers, which appear in clusters from mid-April.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Woodland Trust (REF-3234); the leaf is gathered with the spring flowers (folium cum flore). Single source -> provisional.

^[14]

Part: fruit

Signals: Gather the haws in autumn when they ripen to red; the red oval berries follow the flowers.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Flower clusters are followed in autumn by red, oval berries called haws.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Woodland Trust (REF-3234); the haws ripen red in autumn. Single source -> provisional.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Fong, H.H.S. and Bauman, J.L (2002) 'Hawthorn', Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 16(4), pp. 1-8. doi:10.1097/00005082-200207000-00002 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1097/00005082-200207000-00002
Orhan, I.E (2018) 'Phytochemical and Pharmacological Activity Profile of Crataegus oxyacantha L. (Hawthorn) - A Cardiotonic Herb', Current Medicinal Chemistry, 25(37), pp. 4854-4865. doi:10.2174/0929867323666160919095519 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867323666160919095519
Ahmadipour, B., Kalantar, M., Abaszadeh, S. and Hassanpour, H (2024) 'Antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effects of hawthorn extract (Crataegus oxyacantha) in broiler chickens', Veterinary Medicine and Science, 10(3), pp. e1414. doi:10.1002/vms3.1414 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1414
Rigelsky, J.M. and Sweet, B.V (2002) 'Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses', American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 59(5), pp. 417-422. doi:10.1093/ajhp/59.5.417 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/59.5.417
Saeedi, G., Jeivad, F., Goharbari, M., Gheshlaghi, G.H. and Sabzevari, O (2018) 'Ethanol Extract of Crataegus Oxyacantha L. Ameliorate Dietary Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rat', Drug Research, 68(10), pp. 553-559. doi:10.1055/a-0579-7532 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0579-7532
Mecheri, A., Benabderrahmane, W., Amrani, A., Boubekri, N., Benayache, F., Benayache, S. and Zama, D (2019) 'Hepatoprotective Effects of Algerian Crataegus oxyacantha Leaves', Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition & Agriculture, 10(1), pp. 70-75. doi:10.2174/2212798410666180730095456 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/2212798410666180730095456
Benabderrahmane, W., Lores, M., Benaissa, O., Lamas, J.P., de Miguel, T., Amrani, A., Benayache, F. and Benayache, S (2019) 'Polyphenolic content and bioactivities of Crataegus oxyacantha L. (Rosaceae)', Natural Product Research, 35(4), pp. 627-632. doi:10.1080/14786419.2019.1582044 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2019.1582044
Ali, M., Muhammad, S., Shah, M.R., Khan, A., Rashid, U., Farooq, U., Ullah, F., Sadiq, A., Ayaz, M., Ali, M., Ahmad, M. and Latif, A (2017) 'Neurologically Potent Molecules from Crataegus oxyacantha; Isolation, Anticholinesterase Inhibition, and Molecular Docking', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 8, pp. 327. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00327 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00327
Cuevas-Duran, R.E., Medrano-Rodriguez, J.C., Sanchez-Aguilar, M., Soria-Castro, E., Rubio-Ruiz, M.E., Del Valle-Mondragon, L., Sanchez-Mendoza, A., Torres-Narvaez, J.C., Pastelin-Hernandez, G. and Ibarra-Lara, L (2017) 'Extracts of Crataegus oxyacantha and Rosmarinus officinalis Attenuate Ischemic Myocardial Damage by Decreasing Oxidative Stress and Regulating the Production of Cardiac Vasoactive Agents', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(11), pp. 2412. doi:10.3390/ijms18112412 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18112412
Alp, H., Soner, B.C., Baysal, T. and Sahin, A.S (2014) 'Protective effects of Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) extract against digoxin-induced arrhythmias in rats', Anatolian Journal of Cardiology, 15(12), pp. 970-975. doi:10.5152/akd.2014.5869 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.5152/akd.2014.5869
Rothfuss, M.A., Pascht, U. and Kissling, G (2001) 'Effect of long-term application of Crataegus oxyacantha on ischemia and reperfusion induced arrhythmias in rats', Arzneimittel-Forschung, 51(1), pp. 24-28. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1299998 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1299998
Khan, A., Akram, M., Thiruvengadam, M., Daniyal, M., Zakki, S.A., Munir, N., Zainab, R., Heydari, M., Mosavat, S.H., Rebezov, M. and Shariati, M.A (2022) 'Anti-anxiety Properties of Selected Medicinal Plants', Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 23(8), pp. 1041-1060. doi:10.2174/1389201022666210122125131 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201022666210122125131
Rastogi, S., Pandey, M.M. and Rawat, A.K.S (2015) 'Traditional herbs: a remedy for cardiovascular disorders', Phytomedicine, 23(11), pp. 1082-1089. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.012 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2015.10.012
Woodland Trust 'Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata)'. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/midland-hawthorn/ Traditional / reference
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/midland-hawthorn/
European Medicines Agency (2016) 'European Union herbal monograph on Crataegus spp., folium cum flore'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=European%20Union%20herbal%20monograph%20on%20Crataegus%20spp.%2C%20folium%20cum%20flore
Hendel, N. and Hendel, M (2014) 'Hedgerow Medicine'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Hedgerow%20Medicine
Pittler, M.H., Guo, R. and Ernst, E (2008) 'Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Hawthorn%20extract%20for%20treating%20chronic%20heart%20failure
Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Tankanow, R., Tamer, H.R., Streetman, D.S., Smith, S.G., Welton, J.L., Annesley, T., Aaronson, K.D. and Bleske, B.E (2003) 'Interaction study between digoxin and a preparation of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha)', Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 43(6), pp. 637-642. doi:10.1177/0091270003253417 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1177/0091270003253417
Pittler, M.H., Guo, R. and Ernst, E (2008) 'Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008(1), pp. CD005312. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005312.pub2 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005312.pub2
Pittler, M.H., Guo, R. and Ernst, E (2008) 'Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008(1), pp. CD005312. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005312.pub2 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005312.pub2
Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201
Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003

Selected studies & references

ReviewTherapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review source↗ (2024)

ReviewAnti-anxiety Properties of Selected Medicinal Plants source↗ (2022)

ReviewTraditional herbs: a remedy for cardiovascular disorders source↗ (2015)

ReviewHawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure source↗ (2008)

ReviewSafety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care source↗ (2004)

ReviewHawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses source↗ (2002)

RctInteraction study between digoxin and a preparation of hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) source↗ (2003)

All 21 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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