Shan Zha - Hawthorn Fruit
TCM Materia Medica
Shan Zha TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "shan zha" which in english is 
"hawthorn fruit", is categorized within the "herbs that relieve food stagnation" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the liver, spleen and stomach channels and exhibits sour (suan), sweet (gan) and warm (wen) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 9-15g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Reduces and moves food stagnation outward - accumulation of meat and/or greasy foods with distention, pain, diarrhea.
- Transforms blood stasis, dissipates clumps - post-partum abdominal pain, hernial disorder.
- Stops diarrhea (when partially charred).
- Hypertension.
Shan Zha may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: abdominal pain, diarrhea, hernia and/or hypertension (high blood pressure)
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, shan zha is generally included in the following 5 formulas:
ViewBao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pills)
Epigastric and or abdominal fullness or painful distention after meals. Acid reflux, belching, vomiting with possible aversion to food due to food stagnation. This formula can also be used for acut…
ViewChu Kou Wei Wan (Chu Kou Wei Wan)
Acid reflux and/or burning sensation in the epigastrium, throat, or mouth from stomach fire. Ulcers, sores, or other types of abcess in the mouth due to persistent stomach heat. Constant sense of h…
ViewFang Feng Tong Sheng Wan (Ledebouriella Pills to Sagely Unblock)
High fever with aversion to cold. Thick phlegm that may be both in sinus and chest. Vertigo or dizziness that is caused by excess heat. Rashes, carbuncles, and other types of skin disorders that…
ViewJiang Dan Gu Chun Wan (Contribute To Youthfulness Pills)
For high cholesterol, generally focuses on strengthening metabolism, transforming dampness, tonifying spleen qi, and mildly moving blood stasis in Chinese Medicine terms.
ViewJian Pi Wan (Strengthen Spleen Pills)
For stomach and spleen qi deficiency with dampness that has potentially generated mild interior-heat - diarrhea, abdominal pain, poor appetite, epigastric pain. May be used in early pregnancy for mo…
As noted above, shan zha is within the herbs that relieve food stagnation functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... food stagnation often arises from emotional disturbances which cause the qi and/or blood to stagnate, improper dietary habits, phlegm, heat, and/or cold disorders. hot/cold types: hot: bad breath, distention, preference for cold food/dr…)".
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