Is Hawthorne Safe To Take With Aspirin?

Answer

There is some evidence suggesting that hawthorn may have mild blood-thinning effects, which could be a concern when combined with drugs that also have blood-thinning effects, like aspirin.

However, the findings from studies focusing on hawthorn's effects are inconsistent, and the clinical significance of any potential interaction between hawthorn and medications with blood-thinning properties remains uncertain.

For instance, an observational study reported that individuals who consumed hawthorn shortly before undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or valve replacement exhibited a 10% incidence of postoperative bleeding, compared to a 1% incidence among those who didn't take hawthorn extract. This indicates that hawthorn may increase the risk of bleeding.

However, another study focused on a specific preparation of dried hawthorn leaves and flowers (Crataesor, Soria Natural Lab). This study showed that a dosage of 800 mg taken three times daily for 15 days did not significantly affect platelet aggregation or levels of thromboxane B2 (a metabolite of thromboxane A2) in healthy humans. In other words, there were no blood-thinning effects noted.

Approaching the Interaction

Although concerns about the blood-thinning effects of hawthorn have been noted in animal and laboratory research (mentioned in the section above), the available information remains limited. Specific hawthorn-drug interaction studies are extremely limited.

Overall, individuals in good health with no history of cardiac or bleeding issues are likely to experience minimal to no ill effects from combining 81mg of aspirin and typical doses of hawthorn (whether in tea or supplement form). However, it's important to exercise caution and always be vigilant for signs and symptoms of bleeding.

If you are taking other blood-thinning drugs, like Plavix, there may be more to be concerned about.

Considering Individual Factors

As a precautionary measure, it's advisable to consult with your doctor before making any modifications to your medication regimen, especially if you have had serious health in issues in the past.

As mentioned, it is unlikely that combining hawthorn and a 'baby' aspirin (81mg) will cause an unwanted effect, but individual health factors and medical history are important to consider.

Final Thoughts

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