Herb of the Month: Shan Zha (Hawthorn Berry)
Hawthorn berry may lower cholesterol, supporting patients with cardiac issues or for addressing indigestion.
Crataegus, also known as Hawthorn, has several uses in Chinese and Western botanical Medicine. Hawthorn berry is traditionally used in Chinese Medicine to aid in the digestion of fats. The Hawthorn berry, flower and leaf are also commonly used in cardiac support and as a remedy for high cholesterol.
The berry is used medicinally dried or in a powdered granule. These are then combined with other herbs to create ailment targeted formulas for either lowering cholesterol, supporting patients with cardiac issues or for addressing indigestion.
An analysis of the action of hawthorn on cardiac patients shows that the berry is high in antioxidants, contains hypotensive and vasorelaxive activity and that it acts as a cardiac cell tonic. It has been shown that Hawthorne is effective in mild to moderate cardiac cases.(1)
References:
1.Pharmacogn Rev. 2010 Jan-Jun; 4(7): 32–41.
doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.65324
PMCID: PMC3249900
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) in the treatment of cardiovascular disease
Mary C. Tassell, Rosari Kingston,1 Deirdre Gilroy,2 Mary Lehane,3 and Ambrose Furey