Chinese Hawthorn Fruit, a traditional Chinese medicine, is the fruit of the plant Rosa laevigata of the Rosaceae family. It is mainly produced in Yunnan, Guizhou, and southwest Sichuan provinces of China. Chinese Hawthorn Fruit has the effects of astringency and reducing swelling, and it is commonly used to treat dysentery and hemorrhoids. It has a slightly sour and astringent taste, and it is neutral in nature.
【Dosage and Administration】
Orally: Decoction, 3-5 qian (12-20 grams).
【Botanical Description】
Chinese Hawthorn Fruit is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 2-3 meters tall. It has an upright stem with a reddish-brown color and sharp thorns. The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, with 9-11 leaflets. The leaflets are oval-shaped, blunt or rounded at the apex, with single or double serrations along the edges, and a broad wedge-shaped base. The flowers are solitary or clustered, pale red in color, with 5 petals and numerous stamens and pistils. The fruit is spherical, covered with spines, and deep red in color. The flowering period is from June to July, and the fruiting period is from August to September.
【Harvesting and Processing】
Chinese Hawthorn Fruit is harvested after the fruits ripen in August to September. The stems are removed, and the fruits are dried in the sun.
