Hawthorn, botanical name Crataegus oxyacantha, grows as a thorny shrub with white and pink flowers and berries in Europe, Western Asia, North America and Northern Africa. Modern medicinal parts used are the leaves and flowers whereas traditional preparations use the fruit. The main active constituents of Hawthorn are flavonoids including oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs), vitexin, vitexin 4'-O-rhamnoside, quercetin, and hyperoside. These flavonoids act as potent antioxidant.

Functions:
1. Improves blood supply to the heart by dilating the coronary blood vessels
2. Inhibits the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), reducing the amount of stress placed on the heart.
3. Improves metabolic processes in the heart
4. Prevents atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
5. Lowers blood pressure

Applications:
1. Applied in food field, mainly as a functional food additive, added into a various of food;
2. Applied in health food field, it can be used in health product as a wide range of raw materials;
3. Applied in pharmaceutical field, it is used to treat coronary heart disease, angina cordis, bradycardia and high heart rate
arrhythmia.