Hawthorn - A Health Food

摘要

The genus of Crataegus (hawthorn) is cultivated in many parts of the world. And regarded as medicinal plant in many countries. Hawthorn fruit is commonly used to cure scurvy, constipation and digestive disorders, Hawthorn flowers and leaves are often used against mild cardiac disorders. Modern studies found extracts of Hawthorn fruits, flowers and leaves possess a wide range of pharmacological properties, the pharmacological properties of Hawthorn are mostly related to the involved phenolic compounds including flavonoids. In this article, the active chemical properties and medicinal value of Hawthorn are reviewed.