Shan Zha - Crataegus pinnatifida

Professional Data
 Pin Yin
Shan Zha
 
 Latin
Fructus Crataegus pinnatifida
 Introduction Back to Top
Hawthorn Fruit is the dried ripe fruit of Crataegus Pinnatifida Bge. var major N. E. Br., or Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. (Fam. Rosaceae). The drug is collected in autumn when ripe, cut into slices, and dried.
 Western medical Back to Top
This herb is indicated in the treatment of dyspepsia, coronary disease, angina pectoris and hyperlipemia, etc..
 Eastern medical Back to Top
  • Pattern: Dissolves food stagnation, activates Blood, removes Blood stasis.
  • Properties: Sour, sweet, slightly warm.
  • Channels entered: Spleen, Stomach and Liver.
 Chemical constituents Back to Top
The main chemical constituents in this herb are organic acids such as crategolci acid, citric acid, succinic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, and flavonoids such as quercetin, vitexin, quercitrin and catechin, etc.. Besides, it also contains lactone, glucosides, lipase, protein, Vit C, Vit B2 and carotene, etc..
 Pharmacological actions Back to Top
Digestive function

Enzymes in the gastric juice will be increased after taking shan zha. Lipase contained in shan zha can promote the digestion of fat and other food.

Functions on cardiovascular system

shan zha can dilate blood vessels, increase the blood volume of the coronary artery, and lower the pressure.

Antibacterial effect

shan zha has inhibitory effect on bacillus dysenteriae, bacillus pyocyaneus, bacillus coli and staphylococcus aureus.

Others

shan zha can lower the blood fat and increase the contraction of the uterus. It has also sedative, analgesic, cardiac and anti-arrhythmia effects.
 Clinical Studies Back to Top
Infantile dyspepsia

Xiao Er Hua Shi Wan: liu shen qu, jiao shan zha, chao mai ya, jiao bing lang, e zhu, chao san leng, chao hei qian niu zi, bai qian niu zi, da huang. This pill can treat abdominal distending, constipation, dysentery due to dyspepsia.

Hyperlipemia

shan zha, shou wu, 15g each; jue ming zi 9g, ju pi 45g, zhu dan zhi fen 0.2g.

Coronary heart disease, angina pectoris

Granules made from yu zhu and shan zha could lower blood fat and be used to treat hyperlipemia, and prevent and treat coronary heart disease, angina pectoris as well.

Acute bacillary dysentery

jiao shan zha 120g, bai bian dou hua 30g, water decoction, 1 dose every day. This method had good effects in treating acute bacillary dysentery.
 
 References Back to Top

Except those noted, all references come from Weng Weiliang, et al., Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998