Introduction of Shan Zha:Hawthorn Fruit or Fructus Crataegi.
✵The article gives records of the herb Hawthorn Fruit, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source two plant species, ①.Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge var.major N.E. Br., ②.Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these two plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these two plant species, the features of the herb Hawthorn Fruit, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Fructus Crataegi(Hawthorn Fruit).
Pin Yin Name: Shān Zhā.
English Name: Hawthorn Fruit.
Latin Name: Fructus Crataegi.
Property and flavor: slightly warm nature, tastes sour, sweet.
Brief introduction: The herb Fructus Crataegi is the dried ripe fruit of Large Chinese Hawthorn, Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.var.major N.E. Br.or Chinese Hawthorn, Crataegus pinnatifida Bge., used to improve digestion and relieve food stagnation for the treatment of dyspepsia and stagnation of fatty food, also to activate blood flow for treating amenorrhea and postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis. The herb is commonly known as Fructus Crataegi, Hawthorn Fruit, Shān Zhā.
Botanical source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Hawthorn Fruit(Shan Zha) as the dry ripen fruit of the Rosaceae family(the rose family) Crataegus genus plant species (1). Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge var.major N.E. Br., or (2). Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge. These 2 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge var.major N.E.Br.
Botanical description: The Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge var.major N.E. Brown., is a plant of the Rosaceae family(the rose family) and Crataegus genus, is commonly known as "Mountain Red", "mountain hawthorn", or "Shan Li Hong", deciduous tree, the tree grows up to 6 meters. Prickles are 1~2 cm long, or no thorns. Leaves are alternate; petiole is 2~6 cm; leaf blade is broadly ovate or triangular ovoid dilute rhombic-ovate, 6~12 cm long, 5~8 cm wide, 2~4 pairs of pinnately lobes, apex is acuminate, the base has a wide wedge, glossy above, pubescent below veins, irregularly heavy serrated edges. Corolla campanulate, 5-toothed; Corolla is white, ca. 1.5 cm in diameter, 5 petals, obovate or suborbicular; stamens are ca. 20, anthers are pink; 1 pistil, ovary is lower, 5 rooms, 5 styles. Pear is nearly spherical, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, dark red, with yellowish-white spots, the sepals fall off late, leaving a round deep pits apex; 3～5 small kernel, outward has slightly edge, inward smooth side. Its flowering period is from May to June, fruiting in October.
The Mountain red is a deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family, the tree grows up to 6~8 meters high, is a fruit tree, but also ornamental plants. Leaves are alternate, broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, margin is pinnately 5~9-lobed, serrate, veins are pubescent. Umbels are with small flowers 10~12 flowers, white or pink, flowering in May, fruiting from August to October, pear shape is nearly spherical, about 2 cm in diameter, dark red skin, and light brown spots.
The Mountain red is a famous fruit tree in China. It has more than 3,000 years of cultivation history. Due to its strong adaptability, fewer pests and diseases and no fine management, it has been cultivated in all parts of the country, while the cultivation area in the north is larger than the south.
The Mountain red is resistant to cold, strong vitality, begin to fruit in 4~5 years after cultivation, resulting in countless spherical, pear-shaped small fruits, thick red skin, so that the green hills are covered with red bright red fruit, very beautiful, alias "red fruit". The fruit is also known as hawthorn.
Ecological environment: The Crataeguspinnatifida Bunge var.major N.E. Brown., grows in valleys, or shrubs at the area with altitude 100~1,500 meters above sea level. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the north area, the middle reaches area of the Yellow River, the lower reaches area of the Yangtze River, and other areas of China.
Growth characteristics: The Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge var.major N.E.Br. resist cold and wind, can be cultivated on the flat hillside. For soil conditions, sand is the best, and the growth in clay soil is poor.
Characters of herbs: The fruit is nearly spherical, with a diameter of 1~2.5 cm. The surface is bright red to purplish red, glossy, covered with gray-white spots, with persistent calyx at the apex and stalk residue at the base. Commodities of the herb are often processed into vertical slices or horizontal slices, its thickness is 2~8 mm, which are often curled and wrinkled. The pulp is thick, dark yellow to light brown, and there are 3~5 pale yellow seeds on the cut surface, some of which have fallen off. The texture of the herb is hard. The herb has a slightly delicate fragrance, it tastes sour and slightly sweet. The herb of better grade has big slices, red skin, and thick pulp.
(2).Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge.
Botanical description: The Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge., is a plant of the Rosaceae family (the rose family) and Crataegus genus, it is commonly known as "Hawthorn Tree", or "Shan Zha", the species is very similar to the Mountain red, only the fruit shape is small, diameter is 1.5 cm; leaf is also smaller, and split deeper. Deciduous trees, rough bark, dark gray or taupe; spines are ca. 1~2 cm, sometimes free of thorns; branchlets are cylindrical, then branches are purple-brown, glabrous or nearly glabrous, sparse lenticels, old branch is grayish-brown in winter bud triangular-ovate, apex is obtuse, glabrous, purple.
Leaf-blade is broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, dilute rhombic-ovate, 5~10 cm long, 4~7.5 cm wide, apex is shortly acuminate, base is truncate to broadly cuneate, usually 3~5 pinnates on each side deep lobes, lobes are ovate-lanceolate or banded, apex is short acuminate, margin is sparsely irregular irregularly serrated, dark green and glossy above, sparsely pubescent below veins or spiny hairs in vein axils, lateral veins are 6~10 pairs, some reaching apex of lobes, others reaching lobes are divided; petiole is 2~6 cm, glabrous; stipules are herbaceous, sickle-shaped, margin serrate.
Corymbs are with many flowers, 4~6 cm in diameter, Pedicel and pedicel are both pubescent, abscission, reduced, pedicel is 4~7 mm; bracts are membranous, linear-lanceolate, ca. 6~8 mm, apex is acuminate, margin is glabrous, caducous; flowers are ca. 1.5 cm; calyx tube is campanulate, 4~5 mm long, outside is densely gray-white pilose; sepals are triangular-ovate to lanceolate, apex is gradually apical, entire, ca. as long as calyx tube, glabrous on both inner and outer surfaces, or bearded on top of inner surface; petals are obovate or subrounded, 7~8 mm long, 5~6 mm wide, 20 stamens, shorter than petals, anthers are pink; 3~5 styles, base is pubescent, stigma is capitate.
Fruit is nearly spherical or pear-shaped, diameter is 1~1.5 cm, dark red, light-colored spots; 3~5 small kernel, the outer edge of a slight rib, both sides of the inner are smooth; sepals are off late, leaving a deep dome-shaped. Its flowering period is from May to June, the fruiting period is from September to October.
Ecological environment: The Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge., grows in valleys, or shrubs at the area with an altitude of 100~1,500 meters above sea level. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the north, northwest, the middle reaches area of the Yellow River, the lower reaches area of the Yangtze River, and other areas of China.
Growth characteristics: The Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge resists cold and wind, can be cultivated on the flat hillside. For soil conditions, sand is the best, and the growth in clay soil is poor.
Characters of herbs: The fruit is spherical with a diameter of 1~1.5 cm. The surface is dark red with small spots, with a persistent calyx at the apex and a slender stalk at the base. The texture of the herb is hard. The herb has a slightly delicate fragrance, it tastes sour and slightly puckery. The herb of better grade is uniform, brownish red, and fleshy.
Pharmacological actions: ①. promoting digestion and lipid elimination effect; ②. protective effect on the cardiovascular system; ③. antioxidant effect; ④. enhance immune function, antitumor and anticancer; ⑤. antimicrobial effect: Hawthorn fruit has a strong antibacterial effect on Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri, Sonne bacillus; also has an antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus, beta streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus proteus, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus diphtheriae, Bacillus typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacteria; Its effect is generally stronger on Gram-positive bacteria than on Gram-negative bacteria; ⑥. Besides, the herb hawthorn fruit has contractile uterine action, promotes uterine recovery, analgesic effect, and diuretic effect, etc.
Medicinal efficacy: Invigorating the stomach and promoting digestion, eliminate dyspepsia or indigestion, promoting the circulation of Qi and eliminating stasis to activate blood circulation, removing stasis, remove turbidity and reduce fat. It is indicated for dyspepsia and indigestion of meat, dyspepsia and indigestion of food, distension and fullness in gastric cavity, epigastric distended pain, diarrhea dysentery and abdominal pain, diarrhea and dysentery, blood stasis and amenia, amenia (amenorrhea, menischesis), dysmenorrhea due to blood stasis (abdominal pain after menstruation due to blood stasis), postpartum stasis obstruction, postpartum abdominal pain, lochiorrhagia, stabbing pain in heart and abdomen, chest discomfort and cardialgia (thoracic obstruction, heartache), colic pain (pain of hernia), hyperlipemia (hyperlipoidemia, presence of excess lipids in the blood). It is also indicated for abdominal mass, phlegm and retained fluid, distention and fullness, acid regurgitation, hemorrhoidal hamorrhage, lumbago(low back pain), stagnation of infant breastfeeding, etc.
Administration of Fructus Crataegi (Shān Zhā):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Fructus Crataegi (Shān Zhā)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:9~12 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 2~4 qian (about 6~12 grams);or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:wash with water decoction or mashed and apply stick; ③.Internally:water decoction,3~10 grams;or prepared to pill, powder. Externally:proper amount, wash with water decoction or mashed and apply stick.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions: The herb Fructus Crataegi should better not be used in conditions decayed tooth. Should avoid using with Panax Ginseng, etc.
Pin Yin Name: Jiāo Shān Zhā.
English Name: Charred Hawthorn Fruit.
Latin Name: Fructus Crataegi Preparatus.
Property and flavor: slightly warm nature, tastes sour, sweet.
Brief introduction: The herb Fructus Crataegi Preparatus is hawthorn fruit stir-baked to a brown color, used to improve digestion and relieve food stagnation for the treatment of dyspepsia and stagnation of fatty food. The herb is commonly known as Fructus Crataegi Preparatus, Charred Hawthorn Fruit, Jiāo Shān Zhā.
Common official herbal classics and other famous herbal classics defined the herb Fructus Crataegi Preparatus(Charred Hawthorn Fruit) as the stir-baked hawthorn fruit. The Hawthorn Fruit botanical origins was introduced in the above entry "Fructus Crataegi(Hawthorn Fruit)".
Medicinal efficacy: The Fructus Crataegi Preparatus has a boosting digestion aid and removing food stagnation effect. It is indicated for meat food retention in stomach, difficulty in defecation.
Administration of Fructus Crataegi (Shān Zhā):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Fructus Crataegi (Shān Zhā)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:9~12 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction,2~4 qian (about 6~12 grams);or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:wash with water decoction or mashed and apply stick.; ③.Internally:water decoction, 3~10 grams;or prepared to pill, powder. Externally:proper amount, wash with water decoction or mashed and apply stick.
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References:
1.Introduction of Shan Zha:Hawthorn Fruit or Fructus Crataegi.
✵The article gives records of the herb Hawthorn Fruit, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source two plant species, ①.Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge var.major N.E. Br., ②.Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these two plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these two plant species, the features of the herb Hawthorn Fruit, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Shān Zhā.
Botanical description: The Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge var.major N.E. Brown., is a plant of the Rosaceae family(the rose family) and Crataegus genus, is commonly known as "Mountain Red", "mountain hawthorn", or "Shan Li Hong", deciduous tree, the tree grows up to 6 meters. Prickles are 1~2 cm long, or no thorns. Leaves are alternate; petiole is 2~6 cm; leaf blade is broadly ovate or triangular ovoid dilute rhombic-ovate, 6~12 cm long, 5~8 cm wide, 2~4 pairs of pinnately lobes, apex is acuminate, the base has a wide wedge, glossy above, pubescent below veins, irregularly heavy serrated edges. Corolla campanulate, 5-toothed; Corolla is white, ca. 1.5 cm in diameter, 5 petals, obovate or suborbicular; stamens are ca. 20, anthers are pink; 1 pistil, ovary is lower, 5 rooms, 5 styles. Pear is nearly spherical, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, dark red, with yellowish-white spots, the sepals fall off late, leaving a round deep pits apex; 3～5 small kernel, outward has slightly edge, inward smooth side. Its flowering period is from May to June, fruiting in October.
The Mountain red is a deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family, the tree grows up to 6~8 meters high, is a fruit tree, but also ornamental plants. Leaves are alternate, broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, margin is pinnately 5~9-lobed, serrate, veins are pubescent. Umbels are with small flowers 10~12 flowers, white or pink, flowering in May, fruiting from August to October, pear shape is nearly spherical, about 2 cm in diameter, dark red skin, and light brown spots.
The Mountain red is resistant to cold, strong vitality, begin to fruit in 4~5 years after cultivation, resulting in countless spherical, pear-shaped small fruits, thick red skin, so that the green hills are covered with red bright red fruit, very beautiful, alias "red fruit". The fruit is also known as hawthorn.
Characters of herbs: The fruit is nearly spherical, with a diameter of 1~2.5 cm. The surface is bright red to purplish red, glossy, covered with gray-white spots, with persistent calyx at the apex and stalk residue at the base. Commodities of the herb are often processed into vertical slices or horizontal slices, its thickness is 2~8 mm, which are often curled and wrinkled. The pulp is thick, dark yellow to light brown, and there are 3~5 pale yellow seeds on the cut surface, some of which have fallen off. The texture of the herb is hard. The herb has a slightly delicate fragrance, it tastes sour and slightly sweet. The herb of better grade has big slices, red skin, and thick pulp.
Botanical description: The Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge., is a plant of the Rosaceae family (the rose family) and Crataegus genus, it is commonly known as "Hawthorn Tree", or "Shan Zha", the species is very similar to the Mountain red, only the fruit shape is small, diameter is 1.5 cm; leaf is also smaller, and split deeper. Deciduous trees, rough bark, dark gray or taupe; spines are ca. 1~2 cm, sometimes free of thorns; branchlets are cylindrical, then branches are purple-brown, glabrous or nearly glabrous, sparse lenticels, old branch is grayish-brown in winter bud triangular-ovate, apex is obtuse, glabrous, purple.
Leaf-blade is broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, dilute rhombic-ovate, 5~10 cm long, 4~7.5 cm wide, apex is shortly acuminate, base is truncate to broadly cuneate, usually 3~5 pinnates on each side deep lobes, lobes are ovate-lanceolate or banded, apex is short acuminate, margin is sparsely irregular irregularly serrated, dark green and glossy above, sparsely pubescent below veins or spiny hairs in vein axils, lateral veins are 6~10 pairs, some reaching apex of lobes, others reaching lobes are divided; petiole is 2~6 cm, glabrous; stipules are herbaceous, sickle-shaped, margin serrate.
Corymbs are with many flowers, 4~6 cm in diameter, Pedicel and pedicel are both pubescent, abscission, reduced, pedicel is 4~7 mm; bracts are membranous, linear-lanceolate, ca. 6~8 mm, apex is acuminate, margin is glabrous, caducous; flowers are ca. 1.5 cm; calyx tube is campanulate, 4~5 mm long, outside is densely gray-white pilose; sepals are triangular-ovate to lanceolate, apex is gradually apical, entire, ca. as long as calyx tube, glabrous on both inner and outer surfaces, or bearded on top of inner surface; petals are obovate or subrounded, 7~8 mm long, 5~6 mm wide, 20 stamens, shorter than petals, anthers are pink; 3~5 styles, base is pubescent, stigma is capitate.
Fruit is nearly spherical or pear-shaped, diameter is 1~1.5 cm, dark red, light-colored spots; 3~5 small kernel, the outer edge of a slight rib, both sides of the inner are smooth; sepals are off late, leaving a deep dome-shaped. Its flowering period is from May to June, the fruiting period is from September to October.
Ecological environment: The Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge., grows in valleys, or shrubs at the area with an altitude of 100~1,500 meters above sea level. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the north, northwest, the middle reaches area of the Yellow River, the lower reaches area of the Yangtze River, and other areas of China.
Pin Yin Name: Jiāo Shān Zhā.
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