Hawthorn Berry is used in traditional chinese medicine named SHAN ZHA (Mountain berry). It is the species of Hawthorn-Crataegus pinnatifida with large berries (about the size of a grape;a high amount of flavonoids and soluble mucilage. They are sold in 600 g double plastic bags. Wonderful Heart and digestive tonic. Clears the chest and activates the intestines. They are dried and sliced up for easy boiling.
Boil a handful in a saucepan and strain to make a tea. Tastes very much like rosehip (which is a close relative). Add some honey and this is a very economical and tasty way to benefit the heart and congestion in the chest and clear bloatedness, acid reflux and fullness in digestion. The hawthorn that is often sold in Australia is Crataegus monogyna and is much smaller- the size of a ball bearing. It looks and tastes like wood.
The Chinese hawthorn is the herb of choice for oppression in chest, a feeling of fullness in chest, acid reflux, and a tonic for digestion.
