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Crataegus, Hawthorn, Shan Zha 山楂
Oxyacantha, White Thorn
Shan Zha (TCM)
Shan Zha (TCM)
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563
C. oxyacantha
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886
C. monogyna
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886
Chinese Hawthorn fruit slices (Adam, 2017)
Botanical name:
Crataegus laevigata (formerly C. oxyacantha) and C. monogyna are the principle sources used in Europe.
In TCM, C. cuneata and C. oxycantha var. pinnatifida are used.
Parts used:
Fruit; also the leaf, seed and flower
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, Dry. Sour and Sweet
Crataegus laevigata (formerly C. oxyacantha) and C. monogyna are the principle sources used in Europe.
In TCM, C. cuneata and C. oxycantha var. pinnatifida are used.
Parts used:
Fruit; also the leaf, seed and flower
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, Dry. Sour and Sweet
Uses:
1. Moves the Blood, Clears Blood Stasis, Regulates the Circulation, Eases Pain (West, TCM):
-Heart disease, Heart pain including Angina Pectoris, Hypertension and Hypotension, Atherosclerosis, Arteriosclerosis, paroxysmal Tachycardia and various disturbances of Heart rhythm as well as disorders such as Pericarditis.
-absent or prolonged first sound or murmur, with a fast, intermittent and irregular pulse;
-Irregular Pulse with Chest Pain or Restlessness are good indications for the flower and berry.
-degenerative Heart conditions, and in the aftermath of Heart attack.
-It is clinically useful where there is intolerance of Digitalis.
-seeds are decocted in wine and taken for internal pain associated with blood stagnation.
-some have recommended it for Asthma (esp. of Cardiac origin). (Ellingwood)
2. Nourishes the Heart, Settles the Spirit (West):
-calms the mind and Spirit when the Heart is unsettled.
-insomnia, palpitations with anxiety and nervousness.
-Menopausal symptoms associated with Heart disease or blood stagnation, and is good for despondency, and fear of death related to Heart deficiency.
-‘general curative effect upon the functional action of the Central Nervous System’ (Ellingwood).
-It gives a sense of Well-being to those anxious due to Heart weakness.
-It has also been used for Vertigo and Dizziness etc. (Flowers, or Flowers and Fruit are often combined)
3. Moves the Blood, Benefits the Womb (West, TCM):
-prevents Miscarriage (fruit)
-In TCM, it is used for postpartum abdominal pain and amenorrhea from blood stasis associated with heat or cold, as well as to return the uterus to its normal position after birth.
4. Promotes Digestion, Clears Food Stagnation:
-food accumulation, particularly due to excess meat and fat consumption with abdominal pain, distention and diarrhea.
-indigestion in infants due to improper nursing.
-Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Gall Bladder deficiency (Berries are stir-fried until yellow to enhance this function) (TCM).
-‘The appetite increases, assimilation and nutrition improve’ (Ellingwood’s Therapeutist, March, 1909).
5. Promotes Urine, Clears Stones:
-retained fluid, as well as edema, especially cardiac edema
-‘the seeds in the berries beaten to powder being drunk in wine are good against the Stone and Dropsy’ (Culpeper)
-traditionally also used for Gout; also occasionally used for Leukorrhea.
-inguinal Hernias, as well as swollen, painful testicles or scrotum. (TCM)
-Gall Stones. (TCM)
6. Others Uses:.
-Exopthalmic Goiter(Ellingwood)
-some older writers commended it for Epilepsy
7. Stops Leakage:
-The charred fruit is used for diarrhea, chronic dysentery and bleeding from food stagnation, or damp heat (TCM)
-in Europe the leaves were also given for various Leakages.
-Dioscorides used the Berries for diarrhea, excessive Menstruation, and other Bloody Fluxes.
-‘The distilled Water of the flowers stays the Lax’. (Culpeper)
-It has been used as an aid in Diabetes Insipidus (especially in children with poor circulation and cold extremities)
DOSE:
Fruit, Flower or Leaf in Infusion: 1–2 teaspoonful (3–6 grams)
Of the Decoction of the Fruit: 6–15 grams daily (up to 20 or 30 grams)
Decoction of the Carbonised Fruit: 5–15 or 20 grams.
Of the Fruit in Powder: 1–4 grams
Of the Seed in Powder: 1–3 grams
Of the Tincture of the Fruit, Fruit and Flower, or Leaf and Flower (1:5): 2–5 mls., 2–3 times daily.
Fluid Extract of the Fruit (1:1): 10–25 drops; 30–50 drops, or up to 1 teaspoonful hourly in Angina Pectoria.
PREPARATION:
1. To prepare the fruit for drying, they are dipped into boiling water for 1 minute, then sliced and dried (TCM)
2. Stir-Fried Fruit is used for Food Stagnation in TCM.
3. Unripe fruit is stronger for Diarrhea.
4. Charred Fruit is hemostatic and astringent, used for Diarrhea, Dysentery and Bleeding.
NOTE:
1. Hawthorn in the East and West can be considered largely synonymous. While traditional indications are different, Modern TCM uses Hawthorn for Heart and circulatory conditions based on Western usage.
2. Hawthorn Leaf (C. pinnatifida) is listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It has the effect of moving the Blood and regulating the flow of Qi. Used for Chest constriction, Palpitation, Amnesia, Vertigo and Tinnitus from Qi and Blood stagnation. Dose: 3–10 grams in Decoction.
Fruit, Flower or Leaf in Infusion: 1–2 teaspoonful (3–6 grams)
Of the Decoction of the Fruit: 6–15 grams daily (up to 20 or 30 grams)
Decoction of the Carbonised Fruit: 5–15 or 20 grams.
Of the Fruit in Powder: 1–4 grams
Of the Seed in Powder: 1–3 grams
Of the Tincture of the Fruit, Fruit and Flower, or Leaf and Flower (1:5): 2–5 mls., 2–3 times daily.
Fluid Extract of the Fruit (1:1): 10–25 drops; 30–50 drops, or up to 1 teaspoonful hourly in Angina Pectoria.
PREPARATION:
1. To prepare the fruit for drying, they are dipped into boiling water for 1 minute, then sliced and dried (TCM)
2. Stir-Fried Fruit is used for Food Stagnation in TCM.
3. Unripe fruit is stronger for Diarrhea.
4. Charred Fruit is hemostatic and astringent, used for Diarrhea, Dysentery and Bleeding.
NOTE:
1. Hawthorn in the East and West can be considered largely synonymous. While traditional indications are different, Modern TCM uses Hawthorn for Heart and circulatory conditions based on Western usage.
2. Hawthorn Leaf (C. pinnatifida) is listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It has the effect of moving the Blood and regulating the flow of Qi. Used for Chest constriction, Palpitation, Amnesia, Vertigo and Tinnitus from Qi and Blood stagnation. Dose: 3–10 grams in Decoction.
Main Combinations:
1. Heart diseases, Hawthorn berry with Lily of the Valley
2. To strengthen Heart and Circulation:
i. Hawthorn berry with Rosemary, Rosehip, Motherwort, Calendula
ii. Hawthorn berry with Mistletoe, Dandelion, Motherwort, Fumitory, Couch grass, Balm, Rue, Yarrow, Shepherd's Purse (Treben)
3. Hypertension:
i. Hawthorn berry with Mistletoe, Balm
ii. Hawthorn berry with Linden flower
iii. Hawthorn berry with Motherwort, Rosemary, Angelica, Hyssop, Nettle
4. Angina Pectoris:
i. Hawthorn berry with Mistletoe and Valerian
ii. Hawthorn berry with Valerian and Camphor
5. High cholesterol and Hypertension, Hawthorn berry with Mistletoe and Garlic (modern combination)
6. Arteriosclerosis, Hawthorn berry with Mistletoe, Valerian, Horsetail
7. Varicose veins:
i. Hawthorn berry with Yarrow and Horse Chestnut
ii. Hawthorn flowers, Yarrow, Calendula
8. Anxiety with Palpitations, Nervous exhaustion, Hawthorn flowers, Balm, St. Johns wort, Valerian
9. Food stagnation with abdominal distention, fullness, belching, poor appetite, stir-fried Hawthorn fruit (Shan Zha), Radish seed, Sprouted Barley (malted Barley, Mai Ya) (TCM)
10. Childhood nutritional impairment with Fever and poor appetite, Hawthorn berry (Shan Zha) with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Picrorrhiza (TCM)
11. Inguinal Hernia, Hawthorn berry with Fennel seed (TCM)
Major Formulas:
Da Shan Zha Wan
Eight Treasure Congee
Cautions:
1. Use cautiously in those with marked digestive weakness, gastric ulcers.
2. May potentiate Cardiac Glycosides (such as Digitalis)
Main Preparations used:
1. Use cautiously in those with marked digestive weakness, gastric ulcers.
2. May potentiate Cardiac Glycosides (such as Digitalis)
Main Preparations used: