Shan Zha
Crataegi Fructus
sour, sweet, slightly warm
PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Relieves Food Stagnation
CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
- Food stagnation
- Abdominal distention
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Postpartum abdominal pain
- Blood stasis
- Bulging disorders
- Dysentery
- Coronary artery disease
- High cholesterol
Shan Zha is sour, sweet, and slightly warm. It enters the liver, spleen, and stomach systems to help digestion especially when it is impaired by consuming greasy meats.
Channels: liver, spleen, stomach
COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:
- Dyslipidemia
- Coronary artery disease
- Indigestion
- IBS
- Constipation
- Loose stool
- Angina pain
- Amenorrhea
Formulas:
- Bao He Wan
- Jian Pi Wan
Contraindications: Shan Zha should be prescribed cautiously to patients that have weak digestive function and should never be prescribed to pregnant women in high doses
Zoo Image: four hippos are at a greasy family reunion, one has a blood pressure cuff, one has a blood clump, one has a piece of meat, and another one has diarrhea