Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit)

Herb 5 of 6 in Herbs that Relieve Food Stagnation

Channels:

LIV, SP, ST

Properties:

Sour, Sweet, Slightly Warm

Latin:

Fructus Crataegi

Chinese:

山楂

Tone Marks:

shān zhā

Chinese Herb Actions

• Reduces Food Stagnation, Transforms Accumulation
  Especially effective for improved digestion of red meat and oily, greasy and fatty foods. Treats indigestion with abdominal distention, pain and or diarrhea
• Disperses Blood Stagnation, Dissipates Clumps
  Treats post-partum or amenorrhea abdominal pain and spotting. Used for hernia and bulging disorders.
• Treats Cardiovascular Disease
  Treats hypertension, coronary artery disorder, angina, high cholesterol
• Stops Diarrhea
  Treats chronic dysentery disorders

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Do not use during pregnancy
• Use with caution in cases with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency
• Use with caution in cases with gastritis or peptic ulcers
• Do not take long term, it can harm the flow of Spleen and Stomach Qi

Herb-Drug Interactions

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Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• None Noted
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Chinese Herb Dosage

• 10-15 grams in decoction. Maximum dose of 30 grams (Chen)
• 9-12 grams in decoction (Bensky)

Chinese Herb Notes

• Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit) has been shown to lower cholesterol via three separate mechanisms and is commonly recommended as a daily tea for those with hypercholesterolemia.

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

• Bao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Reduce Food Stagnation
• Jian Pi Wan (Strengthen the Spleen Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Reduce Food Stagnation