5 Benefits of Hawthorn Berry 山楂
Shan Zha 山楂 Hawthorn Berry, Crategi Fructus
Hawthorn berry, is known to reduce food stagnation in Chinese Medicine. Food stagnation is that discomfort you feel when you overeat or eat foods that are too heavy. It can be as mild as feeling bloated and fatigued after eating or can be as severe as being constipated, nauseous, irritable with abdominal pain. Hawthorn has a sweet/sour taste. It goes to the Liver, Spleen and Stomach meridians. Just a few pieces steeped like a tea after meals is something I saw my Ahma drink every once in a while. She also was a distributor of Haw Flakes (dried hawthorn berry candies) in our household.
5 Benefits of Hawthorn Berry
• Reduces, transforms and guides out food stagnation. Because of its fiber content and its ability to act like a prebiotic, it is especially helpful when a lot of greasy, heavy foods have been eaten that can cause a feeling of sluggishness or stuckness in the digestive tract.
• Increases circulation to reduce blood stasis for abdominal pain, painful clumps or some hernias due to its anti-inflammatory properties
• When toasted, it can help with chronic dysenteric diarrhea.
• Hawthorn is known to lower blood pressure and elevated serum cholesterol.
• Hawthorn contains polyphenols which is a powerful antioxidant. Polyphenols are known to lower the risk of some cancers, diabetes, heart problems and improve skin.
A 2006 randomised control trial, (Walker et, al.) concluded that hawthorn berry had a hypotensive effect on patients who were taking medications for diabetes. No herb-drug interactions were found. A systemic review, (2020, Cloud et, al.) reported reduced blood pressure in patients who were diagnosed with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension.
It is believed that hawthorn has the ability to strengthen the blood vessel wall to improve coronary blood flow and also has positive effects on oxygen utilization. (Rigelsky & Sweet, 2002)
Research mentioned in Dr. John Chen’s Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology:
Patients with angina related to coronary artery disease were treated with a preparation for Shan Zha 3x daily for 4 weeks per treatment course. Out of 219 patients, the study reported an overall effective rate of 92.2% with 47.1% showing improvement based on ECG evaluation.
In one study, 127 patients were treated with powdered extract of Shan Zha and Mai Ya twice daily for 2 weeks per treatment course. The study reported that 92% of the participants experienced a reduction of their cholesterol levels. In another study, 130 patients with hyperlipidemia were treated with an herbal formulation of Shan Zha and other herbs, and the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were lowered in 87% and 80.8% of the patients, respectively.
Safety and Cautions
This herb should not be used in cases of weak digestion where there is no food stagnation present. Those with acid reflux should take this herb with caution as it can exacerbate it by stimulating the secretion of gastric acid. Those with gastritis or peptic ulcers should not take this herb for the same reasons. Hawthorn should not be taken while pregnant. The use of shan zha with digoxin should be monitored carefully. It may “interact with vasodilating medications and may potentiate or inhibit the actions of drugs used for heart failure, hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias.” (Rigelsky & Sweet, 2002). This herb should not be taken regularly in the long term.
Hawthorn is often marketed as a weight loss herb and I think it’s important to be wary and think critically of those who make weight loss claims. Especially those who claim that this herb can replace pharmaceutical medications. These are usually tactics that are used to get you to make a purchase. Do not take this herb without consulting with your provider. Please also talk with your doctor before going off any of your medications. East Asian Medicine is individualized, therefore it is important to seek consultation before taking an herb. Herbs are often given in formulas in order to balance the ingredients in a way that is safe.
Common combinations
Combine with bitter orange or tangerine peel to help with abdominal distention and constipation from over eating.
Combine with cassia (senna) seeds for constipation and/or after a greasy meal.
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Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM, L.Ac. + research assistance from Dr. Rachel Hemphill, DACM, L.Ac. 3/6/2023
Sources:
American Dragon Website, Shan Zha
Chen, J.K., & Chen, T.T. (2004) Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology Art of Medicine Press
Cloud, A., Vilcins, D., McEwen, B. (2020) The effect of hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) on blood pressure: A systematic review, Advances in Integrative Medicine, Volume 7, Issue 3
Janene M. Rigelsky & Burgunda V. Sweet (2002) Hawthorn: Pharmacology and therapeutic uses, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Volume 59, Issue 5, 1 March, Pages 417–422
Ariane Lang & SaVanna Shoemaker (2021) 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Hawthorn Berry, Healthline Nutrition online
Walker, A.F., Marakis, G., Simpson, E., Hope, J.L., Robinson, P.A., Hassanein, M., Simpson, H.C.R., (2006) Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trial British Journal of General Practice 2006; 56 (527): 437-443.