The Effect of Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) Syrup on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms

Common Hawthorn has been known as a traditional remedy to relieve gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and to improve stomach function. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of common hawthorn fruit in patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease.Eighty male and female patients with clinically diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned into experimental (treatment) and control groups. Experimental group members took common hawthorn syrup and those in the control group received placebo syrup for 4 weeks (5 ml after each meal). Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms were assessed based on an available validated questionnaire, before and after the treatment in both groups. The side effects were monitored according to old and new medical resources. In order to assess the probable effect on hepatic or renal function, the levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were measured before and after the treatment.After four weeks of taking the hawthorn and placebo syrups, a significant improvement was observed in two main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the experimental group compared with the control one. Heartburn and regurgitation were alleviated by 93.5% and 94.2% respectively. The impact of the common hawthorn syrup on atypical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease such as dyspnea, chest pain, cough and dysphagia was also evaluated and differences were not statically significant. Any adverse effects of the medicine on the functions of liver and kidney were not observed. Our findings suggest common hawthorn fruit as a natural source to control the main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.