Hawthorn fruit (Shanzha)

Pharmaceutical Name : Fructus Crataegi

Botanical Name : 1. Crataegus cuneata Sieb, et Zucc; 2. Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var Major N. E. Br.; 3. Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.

Common Name : Hawthorn fruit, Crataegus fruit

Source of Earliest Record : Xinxiu Bencao

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The fruit is gathered in late autumn or in the beginning of winter, dried in the sun and fried, or raw, fruit may be used.

Properties & Taste : Sour, sweet and slightly warm

Meridians : Spleen, stomach and liver

Functions :
• Strengthens the stomach to improve digestive functions.
• Promotes blood circulation to maintain a normal metabolism.
• Relieves diarrhea.
• Lowers blood pressure.
• Dissolves cholesterol deposits in lining of blood vessels.
• Eliminates food retention

Indications & Combinations:
1. Food retention (especially of fatty food) accompanied by abdominal and epigastric distension, pain and diarrhea. Hawthorn fruit (Shanzha) is used with Medicated leaven (Shenqu), Germinated barley (Maiya), Costus root (Muxiang) and Bitter orange (Zhiqiao).

2. Postpartum abdominal pain and lochia due to blood stagnation. Hawthorn fruit (Shanzha) is used with Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong) and Motherwort (Yimucao).

Dosage: 10-15 g