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Our study aimed to compare the phenolic and flavonoid composition of two medicinal plants from the wild flora of Romania, traditionally known to be efficient in preventing cardiotoxicity: <i>Cornus mas</i> and <i>Crataegus monogyna</i>. As most previous studies have focused on fruits, our investigations aimed to fingerprint and quantify the two classes of compounds in aqueous leaf extracts, based on HPLC-DAD-ESI(+)MS analysis. The specific HPLC-DAD fingerprint was coupled with UV spectra at 280 and 340 nm to discriminate between three subclasses of compounds: two hydroxycinnamic acids and a flavonoid glycoside. While the <i>C. monogyna</i> extract contained more than 98% vitexin isomers (2’- and 4’-O-rhamnoside), the <i>C. mas</i> extract was very complex, containing a mixture of phenolic derivatives and flavonoid glycosides. The spectral patterns of <i>C. mas</i>, combined with the molecular mass and specific fragmentations allowed the identification of epi-catechin, coumaric and caffeic acids and quercetin derivatives. Based on LC-MS peak area and parallel calibrations with gallic acid and rutin, the mean concentration for flavonoids in <i>C. mas</i> was 13 mg/100 ml, while aprox. 65 mg/100 ml in <i>C. monogyna</i> extracts. Using the Folin method, the total phenol content was 105 mg/100 ml in <i>C. mas</i> and around three times less in the <i>C. monogyna</i> extract, while the antioxidant activity was increased only 1.5-1.7 times in <i>C. mas</i> extract compared to<i> C. monogyna</i>. These findings suggest a higher stability and potential of flavonoids to act as antioxidants in hydrophilic environment.