Crataegus, Hawthorn, Shan Zha 山楂

Oxyacantha, White Thorn
Shan Zha (TCM)

Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563

C. oxyacantha
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886

C. monogyna
Flora von Deutschland (25), Kohler, 1886

Chinese Hawthorn fruit slices (Adam, 2017)

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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

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.
-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.

2. Nourishes the Heart, Settles the Spirit (West):

-insomnia, palpitations with anxiety and nervousness.
-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):

-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.

5. Promotes Urine, Clears Stones:

-‘the seeds in the berries beaten to powder being drunk in wine are good against the Stone and Dropsy’ (Culpeper)
-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)
Decoction of the Fruit: 6–15 grams daily (up to 20 or 30 grams)
Fruit in Powder: 1–4 grams