What is it used for?
Fruit
Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain and/or support cardiovascular health in adults [Source note 3].
Fruit; Flower and leaf
Used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain and/or support cardiovascular health in adults [Source note 4].
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g. Hawthorn is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain and support cardiovascular health in adults).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral [Source note 2]
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Fruit
Traditional and Non-traditional Herbal Medicine claims
Methods of preparation: Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
0.6 - 3.5 grams of dried fruit, per day [Source note 5].
Methods of preparation: Dry*, Non-Standardized Aqueous Extracts (Dry extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
1.5 - 6 grams of dried fruit, per day [Source note 6].
*Note: Dried fruit should be prepared as an infusion or decoction by consumers prior to use (see direction for use).
Non-traditional Herbal Medicine claim
Methods of preparation: Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Liquid extract)
Liquid extract equivalent to 700 milligrams of fresh fruit per day, providing a minimum of 6.4 mg Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC), per day [Source note 7].
Flower and leaf
Non-traditional Herbal Medicine claim
Methods of preparation: Dry*, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
1.5 - 5 grams of dried flower and leaf, per day [Source note 8].
*Note: Dried flower and leaf should be prepared as an infusion or decoction by consumers prior to use (see direction for use).
Methods of preparation: Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract)
160 - 900 milligrams of extract, per day, standardized to 18.75% of Oligomeric procyanidins, as epi-catechin, and/or to 2.2% of flavonoids, as hyperoside [Source note 9].
How is it used?
Loose dosage form (for infusion/decoction)*
Place [insert volume to be measured by consumer, e.g., X teaspoons] of dried fruits/flowers and leaves in [insert the volume of water, e.g., ½ cup (125 mL)] of boiling/cold water. Infuse for [e.g., 5-15 minutes]/Bring to a boil and let simmer for [e.g., 10-20 minutes]. Strain and drink.
*Note: This direction of use statement can be modified on the label provided that it gives clear instructions to consumers.
How long is it used?
Use for at least 8 weeks to see beneficial effects [Source note 10].
Warnings and precautions
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking cardiac glycosides (e.g., digoxin) or blood pressure or heart medications [Source note 11].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or shortness of breath.
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Conditions for combined preparations
The active ingredients in Table 1 may be combined, provided that the total quantity of ingredients from the same source material part (fruits or flowers and leaves) remains within the range specified in the reference. Combinations of ingredients from different source material parts are not permitted.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crataegus laevigata |
| Crataegus laevigata | Fruit |
|
| Crataegus laevigata |
| Crataegus laevigata | Flower and leaf | Dry |
| Crataegus monogyna |
| Crataegus monogyna | Fruit |
|
| Crataegus monogyna |
| Crataegus monogyna | Flower and leaf | Dry |
References: Proper names: USDA 2025; Common names: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Wichtl 2004; Source information: ESCOP 2009; Barnes 2007; Bradley 2006; Belz and Loew 2003; Degenring et al. 2003; ESCOP 2003; WHO 2002; Mills and Bone 2000; Grieve 1971.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specification must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- July 31, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.