Crataegus pinnatifida (belonging to the Rosaceae family), also known as Chinese hawthorn, is a sweet and sour fruit commonly used in traditional medicine and cuisine. Hawthorn fruit has many effects in supporting digestion, reducing blood fat and regulating blood pressure.

Botanical Descriptions:

Trees deciduous, to 6 m tall, with thorns 1–2 cm or sometimes unarmed. Branchlets purplish brown when young, grayish brown when old, terete, subglabrous or glabrous when young; buds purplish red, triangular-ovoid, glabrous.

Some main medicinal uses:

1. Support digestion
• stimulates digestion, increases gastric secretion, reduces bloating, flatulence.
• often used in cases of indigestion, especially when eating a lot of protein and fat. 

2. Reduces blood fat, supports the cardiovascular system
• has the effect of lowering cholesterol, supporting blood pressure regulation, improving blood circulation.
• suitable for people with high blood pressure, high blood fat or risk of cardiovascular disease.

3. Activates blood circulation, reduces blood stasis
• helps break up blood stasis, dissolves blood clots, often used in postpartum support remedies, menstrual cramps.
• combined with other herbs in the treatment of pain due to blood stasis.

4. Mild antibacterial, protects the liver
• contains compounds with antioxidant, mild antibacterial effects, supports liver function.
• helps protect liver cells from damage caused by toxins or oxidative stress.

5. Applications in food
• hawthorn fruit is often processed into syrup, dried fruit, soft drinks, or dried as medicine.
• has a sweet and sour taste, easy to use, suitable as a snack or medicinal tea.

Notes when using:
• do not use when hungry because the sour taste can irritate the stomach.
• people with stomach ulcers, esophageal reflux should be careful.
• do not overdose because it can cause diarrhea or cardiovascular effects in sensitive people