Crataegus, Hawthorn, Shan Zha 山楂Oxyacantha, White ThornShan Zha (TCM) |
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Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563
C. oxyacanthaFlora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886
Chinese Hawthorn fruit slices (Adam, 2017)
Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSIONBotanical 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
Classifications:
H. Nourish the Heart
O. Promote Digestion
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.
-Irregular Pulse with Chest Pain or Restlessness are good indications for the flower and berry.
-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. (esp. flower)
-insomnia, palpitations with anxiety and nervousness.
-‘general curative effect upon the functional action of the Central Nervous System’ (Ellingwood).
3. Moves the Blood, Benefits the Womb (West, TCM):
-Postpartum abdominal pain and to return the uterus to its normal position after birth. (full doses, TCM)
-Amenorrhea from blood stasis
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.
-‘The appetite increases, assimilation and nutrition improve’ (Ellingwood’s Therapeutist, March, 1909)
-also useful to help reduce weight and reduce Cholesterol.
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)
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.
Dose:
Fruit, Flower or Leaf in Infusion: 1–2 teaspoonful (3–6 grams)
Decoction of the Fruit: 6–15 grams daily (up to 20 or 30 grams)
Fruit in Powder: 1–4 grams
Preparation:
… available in PRO version
Comment:
… available in PRO version
Main Combinations:
1. Heart disease, Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
2. To strengthen Heart and Circulation:
i. Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
ii. Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
3. Hypertension:
i. Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
ii. Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
iii. Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
4. Angina Pectoris:
i. Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
ii. Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
5. High cholesterol and Hypertension, Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
6. Arteriosclerosis, Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
7. Varicose veins:
i. Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
ii. Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
8. Anxiety with Palpitations, Nervous exhaustion, Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
9. Food stagnation with abdominal distention, fullness, belching, poor appetite, Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
10. Childhood nutritional impairment with Fever and poor appetite, Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
11. Inguinal Hernia, Hawthorn with … available in PRO version
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)