Shan Zha - Crataegi Fructus - Weißdornfrucht

Shan Zha, known as hawthorn fruit, is the dried fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida and a popular herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating food stagnation, especially from heavy or fatty meals. It has a unique ability to both improve digestion and invigorate blood circulation. While often used to relieve indigestion in both adults and children, it is also included in formulas addressing blood stasis and cardiovascular concerns. Shan Zha has a slightly sour, sweet taste and is often taken in pill, powder, or decocted form.

Funktionen & Vorteile

Reduces Food Stagnation and Aids Digestion
Shan Zha is particularly effective for digesting meat, greasy foods, and alcohol-related food accumulation. It is commonly used in cases of bloating, fullness, abdominal pain, or diarrhea following a heavy meal.

Invigorates Blood and Disperses Stasis
It helps to move blood and break up stasis, making it useful in conditions like postpartum abdominal pain, menstrual irregularities, and abdominal masses associated with stagnation.

Supports Cardiovascular Health
In modern practice, Shan Zha is recognized for promoting heart health, improving blood lipid profiles, and supporting healthy blood circulation.

Indikationen
Shan Zha is ideal for individuals suffering from abdominal distension, pain, or diarrhea after consuming rich or fatty foods. It is also beneficial for those experiencing blood stasis symptoms such as painful menstruation or abdominal masses. Additionally, it may be used in formulas that support healthy cholesterol levels or improve circulation in cases of hypertension or arteriosclerosis.

Zungen- und Pulsdiagnose in der TCM
The tongue may show a thick, greasy coating—white or yellow—suggesting food stagnation or dampness. The pulse is typically slippery, indicating excess accumulation, or choppy in the presence of blood stasis.

Common TCM Patterns Treated by Shan Zha
Shan Zha is commonly used for food stagnation patterns involving poor digestion, abdominal fullness, or diarrhea after heavy eating. It also treats blood stasis patterns manifesting as postpartum pain, dysmenorrhea, or masses. When incorporated into formulas for cardiovascular issues, it works to support smooth blood flow and reduce clotting tendencies.

Vorsichtsmaßnahmen & Kontraindikationen
Shan Zha should be used with caution in patients with Spleen and Stomach deficiency, especially if there is no food stagnation. It is contraindicated in large doses during pregnancy due to its blood-moving effects. Long-term use without appropriate pattern diagnosis is not recommended.

Fazit
Shan Zha is a versatile TCM herb that aids in digestion, disperses food stagnation, and supports blood circulation. Its applications range from treating indigestion caused by rich foods to addressing gynecological blood stasis and modern cardiovascular concerns. Both effective and widely tolerated, Shan Zha is an important herb in both traditional and contemporary Chinese medicine practice.