Shān Zhā (山楂) — Hawthorn berry / Chinese hawthorn

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Cautions and contraindications
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Shān Zhā (山楂) — Crataegus pinnatifida — is known in English as Hawthorn berry / Chinese hawthorn. It belongs to the category of Herbs that relieve food stagnation in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Shān Zhā as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Reduces food stagnation — particularly for meat and fatty food accumulation
2. Invigorates Blood and disperses Blood stasis
3. Lowers blood pressure and blood lipids — one of the most important cardiovascular herbs
4. Stops diarrhoea

Indications

1. Food stagnation with epigastric fullness, belching and loose stools after eating
2. High blood pressure and atherosclerosis from Phlegm-Blood stasis
3. High cholesterol and elevated triglycerides
4. Post-partum Blood stasis with abdominal pain
5. Dysmenorrhoea from Blood stasis
6. Coronary heart disease

4. Key formulas containing Shān Zhā

Shān Zhā appears in the following key formulas:

• Bao He Wan

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Crataegus pinnatifida (Shan Zha, Hawthorn) is one of the most extensively researched cardiovascular herbs in TCM and Western herbalism. Key bioactive constituents include oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), hyperoside, vitexin rhamnoside, chlorogenic acid and triterpenoids. Research confirms significant antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-platelet aggregation and cardioprotective effects. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated reductions in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognises hawthorn preparations as traditional medicines for mild heart conditions. A Cochrane-adjacent systematic review confirmed its effectiveness for reducing blood pressure.

6. Cautions and contraindications

Avoid in patients with gastric hyperacidity and peptic ulcer disease, as the sour nature may aggravate these. Avoid in patients already taking digoxin or antihypertensive medications without professional guidance due to additive effects.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Shān Zhā as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including High blood pressure, Digestive disorders, Fatty liver. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.