Product Overview
Parts used: Dried ripe fruit
TCM category: Herbs that relieve Food Stagnation
TCM nature: Warm
TCM taste(s): SourS weet
Meridian affinity: Spleen Stomach Heart Liver
Scientific name: Crataegus pinnatifida
Other names: Hawberry
Use of hawthorn berries (Shan Zha) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitionner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities and seeds, dry.
Dosage: 9 - 15 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Improves digestion and reduces Food Stagnation. Invigorates the Blood and breaks Stasis. Treats hypertension and heart disease. Reduce body fat
Primary conditions or symptoms for which hawthorn berries may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Hypertension Abdominal pain Abdominal bloating Amenorrhea Abdominal colic Hernial pain Hyperlipidemia
Contraindications*: Should be avoided by those with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency.
Common TCM formulas in which hawthorn berries are used*:
For Food Stagnation, bloating, acid regurgitation combine hawthorn berries with radish seeds (Lai Fu Zi) and medicated leaven (Shen Qu).
For food poisoning and overindulgence in rich and greasy foods or alcohol with symptoms of abdominal bloating, belching and acid regurgitation combine hawthorn berries with radish seeds (Lai Fu Zi), medicated leaven (Shen Qu), tangerine peel (Chen Pi), crow-dipper rhizomes (Ban Xia), poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling) and forsythia fruits (Lian Qiao).
For severe Food Stagnation with indigestion combine hawthorn berries with malt (Mai Ya) and medicated leaven (Shen Qu).
For searing pain in the lower abdomen, hernias, pain or swelling of the testicles or testicular hernia combine hawthorn berries with bitter orange seeds (Ju He) and fennel seeds (Xiao Hui Xiang).
Key TCM concepts behind hawthorn berries (Shan Zha)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hawthorn berries are plants that belong to the 'Herbs that relieve Food Stagnation' category. These herbs typically possess digestive and Food moving properties as they relate to the Stomach and Spleen. Some of these herbs are high in digestive enzymes and have varying specific abilities to help with the digestion of food.
Furthermore hawthorn berries are plants that are Warm in nature. This means that hawthorn berries tend to help people who have too much "cold" in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much cold in their body are said to either have a Yin excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition hawthorn berries can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Hawthorn berries also taste Sour and Sweet. The so-called "five elements" theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sour ingredients like hawthorn berries help with digestion and restrain abnormal discharges of fluids from the body, such as diarrhea or heavy sweating. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what organs and meridians they target. As such hawthorn berries are thought to target the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Liver. In TCM the Spleen assists with digestion, blood coagulation and fluid metabolism in the body. The Stomach on the other hand is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine. In addition to regulating blood flow, the Heart is believed to be the store of the "spirit" which basically refers to someone's vitality. The Liver is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and body fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions.
Use of hawthorn berries (Shan Zha) as food
Hawthorn berries are also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Tanghulu or Shanzhagao.
