Summary. Hawthorn leaf and flower and its extracts have a long record of medicinal use as a cardiac tonic, hypotensive, peripheral vasodilator and antiarrhythmic remedies. Although hawthorn phytochemistry is exceptionally well documented the actual contribution of the individual components to the overall pharmacological effects of the plant is still not fully ascertained. Hereby the pharmacological properties of hawthorn leaf and flower are briefly summarized in the light of the existing nonclinical data. Even though generally beyond the scope of the present review, some clinical trial information is also outlined as it represents the ultimate manifestation of the pharmacological properties of the medicinal plant.