The source is from the fruit of Crataegus cuneata Sieb. et Zucc., or C. pinnatifida Bunge, family Rosaceae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the provinces of Henan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, etc., collected in the end of autumn and the early stage of winter, dried in the sun. The raw or the stir-baked one can be used.

Medicinal Properties: Sour and sweet in flavor, slightly warm in nature, and attributive to the spleen, stomach and liver meridians.

Actions: Digest food and dissipate the food accumulation, circulate the blood and disperse blood stasis.

 

Application
1. It is indicated for syndrome of indigestion manifested as epigastric fullness and distention, abdominal pain with diarrhea, especially improperly eating meats and fat. For indigestion of food and meats, it can be decocted alone or combined with Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), and Maiya (Fructus Hordei Germanatus), etc.; for obvious fullness and pain in epigastrium, it is combined with Muxiang ( Radix Aucklandiae ), Zhike ( Fructus Aurantii), etc.; for abdominal pain with diarrhea due to improper diet, the charred one can be ground into powder, which is mixed with water for oral use.

2. It is used for blood-stasis syndrome manifested as postpartum abdominal pain with lochiostasis, hernia with bearing-down distending palm for postpartum blood-stasis, it is usually combined with Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ) , Chuanxiong ( Rhizoma Chuanxiong ) , and Yimucao (Herba Leonuri); for pain due to hernia, combined with Xiaohuixiang (Fructus Foeniculi), Juhe ( Semen Citri Reticulatae ) , etc..
Besides, it can also be used for hypertension, coronary heart disease and hyperlipemia.

Usage and Dosage:
10 - 12 g is used in decoction for oral use, the raw is a bit on the side of promoting digestion and relieving dyspepsia, and the charred one is a bit on the side of relieving diarrhea and dysentary.