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Source: Zhōu Pǔ 粥谱

Ingredients

• Shān zhā (山楂 Crataegi Fructus, crataegus [fruit]) 30–40g
• Jīng mǐ (粳米 Oryzae Semen, non-glutinous rice) 2g
• Shā táng (沙糖 Saccharon Granulatum, granulated sugar) 10g

Actions: Fortifies the stomach and spleen; disperses food accumulation; disperses static blood.

Indications: Food accumulations, especially meat-type accumulations with abdominal pain and diarrhea; postpartum blood stasis pain, persistent flow of lochia, absence of menses, menstrual pain; food stagnation in children; hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary insufficiency and other coronary disease.

Method: Boil the rice with the sugar in a strained decoction of crataegus. Fresh crataegus may be used, but the quantity should be increased to 60g.

Rationale: Fresh Shān zhā is a popular fruit in China, often sold on a skewer, with a caramel coating (like toffee apples). In Chinese medicine, the dried form is usually used. Shān zhā is sweet and sour, slightly warm and non toxic. It enters the spleen, stomach, and liver channel. It transforms food accumulations and is especially effective for meat accumulations. In addition, it also quickens the blood and transforms stasis. It is rich in vitamin C and contains numerous acids including, malic, citric, and crataegolic acid, which increase lipolytic and amylotytic enzymes (those that break down fats and starch) in the stomach juices. Shān zhā is also commonly used for absence of menses, menstrual pain, persistent flow of lochia, and afterpains. In addition, modern research findings show that as a coronary vasodilator Shān zhā improves the blood supply to the heart, as well as reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.

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