Plant Comparison
Midland Hawthorn vs Wood Betony
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Midland Hawthorn and Wood Betony: they share 5 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), menstrual cramps, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Midland Hawthorn | Wood Betony | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Menstrual cramps | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Muscle spasm | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The principal cardioactive and antioxidant constituents, the basis for extract standardisation.
Additional antioxidant constituents of the flower, leaf and fruit.
Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents.
Antioxidant, astringent and aromatic constituents; methanolic extract of the herb showed strong free-radical-scavenging and lipid-peroxidation-inhibiting activity in vitro.
Pharmacological Actions
Antioxidant - among the strongest free-radical scavengers in a comparative study of Lamiaceae herbs
Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic
Gentle calmative for anxiety; Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
Gentle calmative for anxiety; Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating
Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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.
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).
External Ids
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]
Perennial herb (Lamiaceae), 30-60 cm tall, with square, mostly unbranched, hairy stems. Leaves are mostly basal, oblong to heart-shaped, toothed and wrinkled. Small, reddish-purple, two-lipped flowers are borne in a dense, interrupted terminal spike.[11]
Habitat
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]
Aerial flowering parts are cut during flowering (summer) and dried.[11]
Traditional Uses
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]
Wood betony has an ancient European reputation - praised in Anglo-Saxon and medieval herbals as a cure-all, giving rise to the saying 'sell your coat and buy betony' - as a gentle nervine for headache, anxiety and nervous tension, and as a digestive bitter. Modern phytochemical studies confirm it is among the strongest antioxidants of the Lamiaceae family, alongside anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents.[11, 13]
Preparations
Dosage
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.
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.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
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 - 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
- Slapsyte, G., Dedonyte, V., Adomeniene, A., Lazutka, J.R. and others (2019) 'Genotoxic properties of Betonica officinalis, Gratiola officinalis, Vincetoxicum luteum and Vincetoxicum hirundinaria extracts', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 134, pp. 110815. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2019.110815 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2019.110815 - Apostolescu, G.F., Popescu, D.I., Botoran, O., Sandru, D. and others (2023) 'Chemical and Antioxidant Profile of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Stachys officinalis L., Stachys palustris L., Stachys sylvatica L. from Romania', Acta Chimica Slovenica, 70(2), pp. 231-239. doi:10.17344/acsi.2023.8046 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.17344/acsi.2023.8046 - Hajdari, A., Mustafa, B., Franz, C. and Novak, J (2011) 'Variability of essential oils of Betonica officinalis (Lamiaceae) from different wild populations in Kosovo', Natural Product Communications, 6(9), pp. 1343-1346. doi:10.1177/1934578x1100600931 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x1100600931 - Giuliani, C., Pellegrino, R.M., Selvaggi, R., Tani, C. and others (2017) 'Secretory structures and essential oil composition in Stachys officinalis (L.) Trevisan subsp. officinalis (Lamiaceae) from Italy', Natural Product Research, 31(9), pp. 1006-1013. doi:10.1080/14786419.2016.1261347 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2016.1261347 - Benedec, D., Oniga, I., Hanganu, D., Tiperciuc, B. and others (2023) 'Stachys Species: Comparative Evaluation of Phenolic Profile and Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential', Antibiotics, 12(11), pp. 1644. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12111644 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12111644 - Ohiienko, T., Kutsyk, R., Kurovets, L., Ohiienko, S. and others (2023) 'Screening of medicinal and aromatic plants extracts for the synergism with fluconazole against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis fungi associated with denture stomatitis', Wiadomosci Lekarskie, 76(7), pp. 1615-1620. doi:10.36740/WLek202307115 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.36740/WLek202307115 - Lazarevic, J.S., Dordevic, A.S., Kitic, D.V., Zlatkovic, B.K. and others (2013) 'Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Stachys officinalis (L.) Trevis. (Lamiaceae)', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 10(7), pp. 1335-1349. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201200332 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201200332 - Stegarus, D.I., Lengyel, E., Apostolescu, G.F., Botoran, O.R. and others (2021) 'Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activity of Three Stachys Species (Lamiaceae) from Romania', Plants, 10(12), pp. 2710. doi:10.3390/plants10122710 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122710 - Háznagy-Radnai, E., Balogh, Á., Czigle, S., Máthé, I. and others (2012) 'Antiinflammatory activities of Hungarian Stachys species and their iridoids', Phytotherapy Research, 26(4), pp. 505-509. doi:10.1002/ptr.3582 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3582 - Bilušić Vundać, V (2019) 'Taxonomical and Phytochemical Characterisation of 10 Stachys Taxa Recorded in the Balkan Peninsula Flora: A Review', Plants, 8(2), pp. 32. doi:10.3390/plants8020032 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8020032 - The Naturopathic Herbalist (n.d.) 'Stachys officinalis (Wood Betony)'. Available at: https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/herbs/r-s/stachys-officinalis/ Traditional / reference
https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/herbs/r-s/stachys-officinalis/ - Matkowski, A. and Piotrowska, M (2006) 'Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of some medicinal plants from the Lamiaceae', Fitoterapia, 77(5), pp. 346--353. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2006.04.004 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2006.04.004 - PeaceHealth (n.d.) 'Wood Betony (Health Information Library)'. Available at: https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-3662000 Traditional / reference
https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-3662000
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.