Properties: Slightly bitter
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Heart, Liver
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Regulates the Heart and Lowers Blood Pressure
Hypertension
Nervousness, palpitations, mild stress, insomnia
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
Cautions: Interactions have been shown with hawthorn berries but may apply to the flowers and leaves and so caution should be applied.
Interactions:
- Beta-adrenergic antagonists (digoxin, cisapride, quinidine): May increase the effects and side-effects.
- Nitrates: May have additive effects, increasing blood flow to the heart causing dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Beta-blockers: May have additive effect, making blood pressure too low.
- Calcium channel blockers: May have additive effect, making blood pressure too low.
- Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors (sildenafil/Viagra): Both can lower pressure so may cause it to become too low.
Notes:
Information has been taken from Zhou, Xie, & Yan (2011), Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5 and (European Medicines Agency, 2016) but the actions on stress and sleep may apply more to western hawthorn (C. laevigata) than Chinese hawthorn (C. pinnatifida).
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
