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Shan Zha (山楂), hawthorn fruit, reduces food stagnation, particularly from greasy and meaty food, and invigorates the blood to dispel stasis; in modern use it also helps with high blood lipids and hypertension.
Latin / Pharmaceutical Name
Crataegus pinnatifida (Fructus Crataegi)
Common English Name
Hawthorn fruit
Taste
Sour, sweet
Temperature
Slightly warm
Channels Entered
Spleen, Stomach, Liver
Actions & Functions
- Reduces food stagnation (especially meat and fatty food)
- Invigorates the blood and dispels stasis (postpartum and menstrual pain)
Indications
Food stagnation with epigastric and abdominal distension, especially from rich food; diarrhoea and dysentery; and postpartum abdominal pain or amenorrhoea from blood stasis; also hyperlipidaemia.
Dosage
9-15 g in decoction.
Common Combinations
With Shen Qu and Mai Ya for food stagnation; with Chuan Xiong for postpartum stasis pain.
Cautions & Contraindications
Use with caution in Spleen-Stomach deficiency without stagnation and in acid regurgitation.
