9Crataegi Fructus

Crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) – The Classic Food-Stagnation-Resolving and Heart-Supporting FruitCrataegi fructus (Shan-zha), also known as "Hawthorn Berries," "Chinese Hawthorn" or "Crataegus Fruit," is the traditional Chinese name for the dried ripe fruits of Crataegus, a sweet-sour, very slightly warm fruit from the rose family that has been part of traditional Chinese herbal systems for over 1800 years and is described as "the food-stagnation resolver among the herbs." This sweet-sour herb is particularly known for its ability to effectively resolve normal food stagnation – especially from fatty and meat foods – promote normal digestion, support normal heart health, improve normal blood circulation, remove normal blood stasis, help regulate normal cholesterol levels and address normal appetite-loss problems – making it an ideal choice for people with a tendency toward normal digestive sluggishness, normal meat or fatty-food intolerance, normal cholesterol concerns, normal heart palpitations, normal blood pressure imbalance and normal digestive discomfort after heavy meals.Traditional Understanding in TCM Systems – "The Food-Stagnation Resolver"Within traditional Chinese medicine, crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is described as "the food-stagnation resolver" and "the heart strengthener" – one of the most fundamental digestive and heart-supporting herbs. In the TCM theoretical framework, it acts on the so‑called Heart, Liver and Stomach meridians. According to this traditional description, crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) specializes in "normal food stagnation resolution," helps "improve normal blood circulation," "remove normal blood stasis" and supports "normal heart function" – crucial TCM concepts for both normal digestive AND normal cardiovascular health.Crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is seen in TCM as "the king of food-stagnation-resolving herbs" – one of the primary herbs in famous formulas like "Bao He Wan" (Preserve Harmony Pill).Special Property: Digestion + Cardiovascular Support + Modern Research ValidationCrataegi fructus (Shan-zha) distinguishes itself by its very rare combination of: (1) strong food-stagnation-resolving ability, (2) powerful cardiovascular-supporting action and (3) EXTENSIVE modern scientific validation of both effects. This herb is one of the few TCM herbs with very strong modern cardiac research!Botanical Composition and ResearchCrataegi fructus (Shan-zha) contains over 150 bioactive compounds, of which the main ones are:Flavonoids (quercetin, hyperoside, vitexin – characteristic components, 1–3% dry weight)Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) (oligomeric procyanidins DP3-DP6 – cardiac effects!)Organic acids (citric acid, malic acid, citric acid)Terpenoids (triterpenes with digestive enzymes)PolysaccharidesTrace elements (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn)Modern scientific research shows that crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) components can offer VERY diverse benefits:Normal food-stagnation resolution: Studies show that certain organic acids and terpenoids can stimulate normal digestive-enzyme secretion and accelerate normal food transit – especially for fats and proteins.Normal cardiac health – EXTENSIVELY RESEARCHED: Numerous studies show that oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) can support normal heart function, improve normal coronary perfusion and modulate normal heart palpitations – this is one of the most documented heart herbs!Normal blood circulation and blood-stasis removal: Flavonoids can support normal vessel relaxation and improve normal blood circulation – the classic "blood-stasis removal" effect.Normal cholesterol regulation: Research shows that certain flavonoids can reduce normal LDL-cholesterol levels and help regulate normal triglyceride levels – highly relevant for normal cardiovascular health!Normal blood-pressure support: Studies suggest that certain components can promote normal vasodilation and help reduce normal diastolic blood pressure.Anti-inflammatory action: Flavonoids and procyanidins can help maintain normal inflammation balance – relevant for both normal digestion AND normal heart health.Normal antioxidant activity: Procyanidins possess very strong free-radical-fighting action.Normal appetite stimulation: Certain organic acids can stimulate normal salivary and gastric secretion – useful for normal appetite loss.Normal heart regeneration: Recent research (2019) shows that certain procyanidins can stimulate normal cardiac stem-cell differentiation – possible for normal heart regeneration after infarct!Traditional Applications – TCM ContextIn traditional TCM formulas, crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is classically used in situations described as:Normal food stagnation from meat or fatty foodsNormal blood stasis with normal pain (cardiac, abdominal)Normal heart palpitations or normal irregular heartbeatNormal chest distention or normal chest painNormal cholesterol-related symptoms or normal blood-vessel stagnationNormal amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) with normal blood-stasis characterNormal postpartum abdominal pain with normal blood stasisNormal diarrhea or normal chronic loose stoolNormal appetite loss or normal full feeling after mealNormal enlarged liver or normal spleen with normal food stagnationThese are traditionalist descriptions that form part of the TCM thinking system and must not be equated with medical diagnoses in the sense of European medicinal product law.Sweet-Sour, Food-Stagnation-Resolving and Heart-Supporting CharacterCrataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is traditionally seen as a "sweet-sour," "food-stagnation-resolving" and "heart-supporting" herb – which effectively addresses both normal digestive AND normal cardiovascular patterns.Classical Formulas: crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is CHIEF IngredientBao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill) – crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is THE CHIEF ingredient for normal food stagnationShao Yao Tang (Peony Decoction) – can contain crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) for normal food-and-blood stasisPreparation and DosageCrataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is traditionally:In prepared formulas (most common)As separate decoction (brewing for 15–20 minutes)As tea drink (very popular in China!)Traditional dosage: 9–15g per formulaNOTES: Brown roasted Shan Zha (Shan Zha Tan) – even stronger for normal stagnationNOTES: Charcoal Shan Zha (Tan Shan Zha) – for normal diarrhea with stagnationCAUTION: NOT FOR CHRONIC DIGESTIVE WEAKNESS OR PREGNANCYCrataegi fructus (Shan-zha) must NOT be used when:Chronic digestive weakness without tonification supportPersistent loose stool with digestive deficiencyPregnancy (can cause normal uterine contraction)Persistent fluid-depletion symptoms without fluid-generation supportSeasonality and Daily UseCrataegi fructus (Shan-zha) can be used both seasonally (especially autumn/winter for normal digestion support) and daily for normal digestive health – especially after heavy meals. It is very suitable for long-term daily wellness use.Well-being and Daily UseCrataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is HIGHLY valued by modern users as part of daily health AND nutrition practices for normal digestion support, normal food-stagnation relief, normal cholesterol support and normal heart health. It is EXCELLENT for daily wellness use, especially after heavy meals.Many users see crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) as part of daily nutritional medicine – as a food-stagnation-resolving AND heart-supporting element for normal health, ALWAYS in combination with normal eating practices.Very Safe Profile (For Normal Constitution)Crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is known as EXTREMELY SAFE – over 1800 years of kitchen use shows minimal toxicity. It has minimal side effects and is used for all adult age groups and can also be used by children under professional supervision.CAUTIOUS NOTE FOR THE CONSUMER – CARDIAC EFFECTSThis product is a dietary supplement for wellness and normal nutritional medicine. TCM terms such as Food-Stagnation Resolution, Blood-Stasis Removal, Normal Cardiac Support are system concepts that form part of a traditional thinking system AND have STRONG modern scientific support!This is NOT a medicine, but SUPPORTIVE for normal digestion, normal heart health and normal cardiovascular balance.For people with persistent heart problems, normal blood pressure imbalance or normal cholesterol concerns, a qualified TCM doctor OR medical expert should ALWAYS be consulted BEFORE using this herb long-term.Crataegi fructus (Shan-zha) is the classic food-stagnation-resolving herb AND modern-confirmed heart supporter – "the king of food-resolving herbs"!