Hawthorn berries (Shan zha)
Hawthorn berries, flowers and bark are used as heart tonics in Western herbalism. They are used in Chinese medicine for digestion. There are popular hawthorn berry candies in China. Just as we use cherries for candy, they use hawthorn berries for candy.
Chinese Medicine Indications
Reduces and guides out food stagnation – for accumulation due to meat or greasy foods with abdominal distention, pain or diarrhea
Transforms blood stasis, dissipates clumps. For post partum abdominal pain and clumps due to blood stasis. Also for hernial disorders
Used recently for hypertension, coronary artery disease and elevated serum cholesterol.