Herb: Hawthorn Berry

Herb Name: Hawthorn berry (also called Chinese Hawthorn)

Herb Name in Chinese: 山楂 (shān zhā)

Description:

• Hawthorn is the bright red fruit of a small tree belonging to the rose family.  The berries are small and typically measures about 1.5 inches in diameter.
• The berries have a sour sweet taste and are often used to make jams, juices, and alcoholic drinks.  Hawthorn is also often used to make a popular Asian candy called Haw Flakes.
• The ripe fruit can be preserved by cutting into thin slices and dried (as pictured above) for making teas.

Hawthorn Uses and Health Benefits:

• The hawthorn fruit is high in vitamin C and contains the same antioxidants that are found in grapes.
• Hawthorn is often used in Chinese herbal medicine and naturopathic medicine to aid digestive functions in the human body.  The dried fruit is considered slightly warm in property, promoting the flow of qi and removing stagnation in Eastern herbology.
• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, recent studies have shown that hawthorn could benefit those with hypertension and heart disease.
• Overdose of hawthorn however may cause cardiac arrhythmia, low blood pressure, and nausea.  Women in pregnancy should also avoid consuming hawthorn.
• See a list of recipes using Hawthorn Berry.

Preparation:

• To prepare dried hawthorn slices, rinse them in cool clean water before cooking or steeping.

Where to Buy:

• Dried hawthorn slices are often sold in Asian supermarkets, or online.

How do you use your Hawthorn Berry? Leave a comment below to share your ideas.

Resources and further reading: University of Maryland Medical Center, Wikipedia
 

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