Fructus Crataegi
Source
Fruit of Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge, and C cuneata Sieb. et Zucc., family
Rosaceae.
Characterisitcs
C. pinnatifida: Fruit spheroidal, 1.0-2.5 cm in diameter; exocarp red,
wrinkled,
with grey-white small spots; calyx remnant appearing at the top, and stalk
remnant at base of the fruit. Prepared as thin pieces 0.2-0.4 cm in thickness;
pulp light brown-red. Cross section showing a 5-celled ovary in the middle,
with hard wall, containing 1 seed in each cell or the seed already dropped.
Delicate fragrance in odour. C. cuneata: Fruit spheroidal, smaller than
the former, 0.8-1.4 cm in diameter, exocarp brown red, with shallow wrinkles;
the top depressed, with remains of calyx, and the base remained with fruit
stalk. Both are sour and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and
attributive to spleen, stomach and liver channels.
Indication
1. Strengthen the stomach and improve digestion: For dyspepsia,. especially
over feeding in infants and immoderate eating of meats.
2. Relieve diarrhea and dysentery: Especially for those caused by immoderate
eating and drinking.
3. Promote blood circulation and disperse blood stasis: For blood-stasis
syndrome manifested as amenia, postpartum abdominal pain with lochiostasis,
angina pectoris, polyp of vocal cord; also for inguinal hernia or swelling
of testis with bearing-down pain, hepatosplenomegaly,. and cystic hyperplasia
of the breast.
4.
Lower blood pressure and the level of blood lipids: For hypertension and
hyperlipidemia.
Phamiacological
Action
1. Its active component, triterpenic acid, increases coronary flow and
improves systemic circulation.
2. Exerting prolonged hypotensive effect in anesthetized animals.
3. Counteracting the arrhythmias induced by pituitrin in rabbits.
4. Lower the level of serum cholesterol and B-lipoprotein in experimental
animals with hyperlipidemia.
5. Digestant.
Administration
Decoction:
6-12g; 30-60g for amenia, angina pectoris, polyp of vocal cord, hypertension
and hyperlipidemia; also as gargle for polyp of vocal cord.