Shān Zhā · Hawthorn Fruit
Shān Zhā (山楂, Hawthorn Fruit) is a herb of Warm nature and Sour, Sweet flavor, in the “Digestives” category. Tradition uses it to dissolve food stagnation, Transform blood stasis, stop diarrhea.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Shān Zhā
- Characters
- 山楂
- Botanical name
- Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Part used
- Fruit
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Sour, Sweet
- Meridians
- Spleen, Stomach, Liver
- Category
- Digestives
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Origin
- China, Korea
Actions according to tradition
- Dissolve food stagnation
- Transform blood stasis
- stop diarrhea
Traditional uses
- Food accumulation with abdominal distension
- Postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis
- Trastorno herniario
Studied effects and current applications
- Facilitates the digestion of meats and fats
- Reduce el colesterol
- Improves cardiovascular circulation
Applications under investigation
- Hiperlipidemia
- Hypertension
- Aterosclerosis
- Postpartum recovery
- Obesidad
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Active gastric ulcer (acid form)
Relative contraindications
- acid gastritis
- First trimester of pregnancy
- Spleen deficiency without food stagnation
- Pregnancy
- Avoid in the first trimester due to potential effects on the uterus. With supervision in the second and third trimester.
- Breastfeeding
- Generally safe during breast-feeding in normal doses.
- Children
- Safe for children over 3 years old with adjusted dosage.
- Older adults
- It can be useful in the elderly for digestion; caution with peptic ulcer.
Possible adverse effects
- Gastric heartburn
- Nausea on an empty stomach
- Possible mild hypoglycemia
When to stop
- Severe gastric pain
- Sangrado digestivo
- Hipoglucemia
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants | Warfarin, Heparin | Moderate | May enhance the anticoagulant effect Monitor INR. Use with caution. |
| Antihypertensives | Amlodipino, Enalapril | Mild | Additive hypotensive effect Monitor blood pressure. |
| Hypoglycemic agents | Metformin, Insulin | Mild | Possible additive effect on blood glucose Monitor blood glucose in diabetics. |
With other herbs
- hong_hua Synergy in blood movement; caution in deficiencies
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 9-15 g daily
- Powder
- 3-6 g daily
- Acute use
- 3-7 days
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks
- Maximum
- Do not use continuously for more than 3 months
- Children
- Safe for children with adjusted dosage. Widely used for digestive difficulty.
Forms of preparation
Boil 9-15g in 500ml of water for 20-30 min. Drink warm.
Digestion and circulation
Charred version (焦山楂) for diarrhea and irregular bowel movements.
Diarrhea, bloody stools
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Flavonoids (hyperoside, rutin) and triterpenic acids (ursolic, oleanolic acid)
Pentacyclic triterpene acids · Hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory
HMG-CoA reductase inhibition, PPAR-α activation · 0.5-2.0%
Flavonoids · Antioxidant, cardioprotective, antiaggregant
Free radical scavenging, inhibition of platelet aggregation · 1-3%
Flavonoids C-glycosides · Cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory
Ischemia-reperfusion protection, NF-κB inhibition · 0.2-0.8%
Polyphenols · Astringent, antioxidant, digestive
Protein precipitation, pancreatic lipase inhibition · 2-6%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Autumn (September-November), when the fruits ripen to red
Crataegus pinnatifida fruits harvested ripe. They are cut into slices and dried in the sun or with heat. Boneless slices (山楂片) are the most used.
Fruits cut into slices, pitted and dried.
Fried slices over medium heat until lightly golden.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
