Hawthorn Berry for Anxiety Relief

Research suggests that hawthorn berry may have anxiolytic properties, with evidence spanning animal studies, narrative reviews, and at least one human clinical trial. Two animal model studies using different Crataegus species found anxiety-reducing effects measured by standard behavioral tests, with one pointing to 5-HT1A receptor activation and elevated BDNF as potential mechanisms, and a 2025 randomized controlled trial reported significant reductions in trait anxiety and improved mood in stressed adults taking a Crataegus laevigata supplement. Multiple reviews also note anxiety reduction as one of several reported benefits associated with hawthorn's polyphenolic compounds, including oligomeric procyanidins and flavonoids, though these reviews treat anxiety as a secondary finding alongside the plant's more extensively studied cardiovascular applications. The body of evidence is generally supportive in direction but remains limited in size and methodological depth, with the human clinical research still early-stage, meaning broader conclusions should be drawn cautiously until more rigorous and replicated trials are available.