Hawthorn tastes sweet and sour, with a neutral nature, and enters the spleen and stomach meridians. It has the effects of stimulating the appetite, aiding digestion, promoting blood circulation, dispersing blood stasis, strengthening the heart, nourishing the complexion, and possessing anti-cancer properties. It is commonly used for conditions such as food stagnation, dysmenorrhea, and palpitations.
1. Stimulating the appetite and aiding digestion: Hawthorn, with its sweet and sour taste, enters the spleen and stomach meridians. It is rich in lipase, which can increase gastric acid secretion and enhance the activity of gastric protease, aiding in the digestion and absorption of proteins and fats. The sour-sweet taste of hawthorn, along with its vitamin C and minerals, can also increase appetite.
2. Promoting blood circulation and dispersing blood stasis: Hawthorn has the ability to promote blood circulation and disperse blood stasis, dilating blood vessels and relieving blood stasis. It has a relieving effect on conditions such as menstrual pain due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, and postpartum abdominal pain.
3. Strengthening the heart: Hawthorn's ability to promote blood circulation and disperse blood stasis can soften coronary arteries, increase coronary blood flow, and reduce myocardial oxygen consumption. It plays a role in nourishing and protecting the heart and can be used as an auxiliary treatment for coronary heart disease and angina pectoris.
4. Nourishing the complexion: Hawthorn contains flavonoids, vitamin C, carotene, and other antioxidants, which can eliminate free radicals in the body, promote skin metabolism, and delay aging, thus nourishing the complexion.
5. Anti-cancer properties: Hawthorn contains rutin, which has anti-cancer effects. Drinking hawthorn water regularly can help prevent and fight cancer.