Use of Shan Zha (hawthorn berries) 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 practitioner, 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 Shan Zha 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 Shan Zha is used*
Bao He Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula key actions: Reduces food stagnation. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Conditions targeted*: GastroenteritisChronic gastritis and others
Shan Zha is a king ingredient in Bao He Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Bao He Wan, Shan Zha awakens the Spleen, unbinds the Stomach, promotes food intake, and assists digestion. It is particularly useful for problems due to overindulgence in meat and greasy foods.
Pai Shi Tang
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula key actions: Discharge Gallstones. Clear Damp-Heat. Facilitate urination.
Conditions targeted*: Hepatic calculusCommon Bile Duct Stone and others
Shan Zha is an assistant ingredient in Pai Shi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Pai Shi Tang, Shan Zha invigorates the Blood and breaks Blood Stagnation. It also improves digestion and reduces Food Stagnation.
Key TCM concepts behind Shan Zha's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shan Zha belongs 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 Shan Zha is Warm in nature. This means that Shan Zha tends 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 Shan Zha can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Shan Zha also tastes Sour and Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sour ingredients like Shan Zha helps 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 Shan Zha is thought to target the Heart, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach. In addition to regulating Blood flow, in TCM the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. The Liver on the other hand is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions. The Spleen assists with digestion, Blood coagulation and Fluids metabolism in the body. The Stomach is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine.
Research on Shan Zha
The Chinese hawthorn fruit has demonstrated efficacy in lowering blood cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular diseases, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour activities.1
Hawthorn Fruit is the most often used herb in the TCM treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.2
Detoxifying and blood circulation activating Chinese herb extraction of polygonum cuspidatum and hawthorn has good effect of anti-atherosclerosis and promoting plaque stability.3
Sources:
1. Jurikova T, Sochor J, Rop O, Mlcek J, Balla S, Szekeres L, Adam V, Kizek R. (2012). Polyphenolic profile and biological activity of Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida BUNGE) fruits. Molecules. 17(12):14490-509. doi: 10.3390/molecules171214490.
2. Shi KQ, Fan YC, Liu WY, Li LF, Chen YP, Zheng MH. ( 2012). Traditional Chinese medicines benefit to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Biol Rep. , 39(10):9715-22. doi: 10.1007/s11033-012-1836-0. Epub 2012 Jun 21.
3. Liu LT, Zheng GJ, Zhang WG, Guo G, Wu M. (2014). Clinical study on treatment of carotid atherosclerosis with extraction of polygoni cuspidati rhizoma et radix and crataegi fructus: a randomized controlled trial. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. , 39(6):1115-9.
Use of Shan Zha as food
Shan Zha is also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Tanghulu or Shanzhagao.