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Are Hawthorn Berries Poisonous?

Hawthorn berries are not generally considered to be poisonous, but they may be to the rare few who are allergic to them. These berries have been used for heart ailments like angina and may even be used to treat mild heart problems connected with anxiety, as stated by herbalist and lecturer Christoper Hobbs. As with any type of herbal medicine, care should be taken in using them.

  1. Location

    • Hawthorn berries are small red berries that grow on trees that can grow to about 25 feet tall. These trees are native to Asia, North America and Europe. The use of the berry has been part of medical care in some areas for centuries.

    History

    • Hawthorn berries have been used since the Middle Ages in Europe for various types of heart trouble.

    Warning

    • If you take an extract of the berry that has not been purified in some way, you may get sick. It is also possible to have any allergy to this berry. Rashes, trouble breathing, itching or dizziness may be symptoms experienced. A doctor should be consulted if these develop after eating hawthorn berries.

    Additional Warnings

    • There are other side effects that a person may experience with hawthorn berry consumption, including drowsiness, trouble sleeping, nausea, headache, upset stomach, dizziness and sweating.

    Considerations

    • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently has not accepted hawthorn berry as a treatment for heart conditions, although there are some European countries like France, Germany and Russia which do.

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