Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus pinnatifida; Shan Zha) Whole: 500 g

Used as an infusion decoction extract and tincture. The pleasant tasting slightly bitter fruit is eaten raw or cooked. The fruit can be used in making pies preserves etc and can also be dried for later use. The fruit is antibacterial anticholesterolemic cardiotonic stomachic vasodilator. Improves blood circulation. The fruits and flowers of hawthorns are well-known in herbal folk medicine as a heart tonic and modern research has borne out this use. The fruits and flowers have a hypotensive effect as well as acting as a direct and mild heart tonic. They are especially indicated in the treatment of weak heart combined with high blood pressure. Prolonged use is necessary for it to be efficacious. Hawthorn is safe for long-term use. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends the closely related European Hawthorn leaf and flower (Crataegus laevigata) for 'Decreasing cardiac output as described in functional Stage II of NYHA [New York Heart Assoc. clinical definition]. 'Special Caution for Use: A physician must be consulted in cases where symptoms continue unchanged for longer than six weeks or in case of swelling of the legs. Medical diagnosis is absolutely necessary when pains occur in the region of the heart spreading out to the arms upper abdomen or the area around the neck or in cases of respiratory distress (dyspnea).' 'Dosage and Administration: 160 - 900 mg native water-ethanol extract (ethanol 45 percent v/v or methanol 70 percent v/v drug-extract ratio = 4 - 7:1 with defined flavonoid or procyanidin content) corresponding to 30 - 168.7 mg procyanidins calculated as epicatechin or 3.5 - 19.8 mg flavonoids calculated as hyperoside in accordance with DAB 10 in two or three individual doses. Hawthorn fluidextract DAB 10: Equivalent individual or daily dosage must be confirmed by clinical-pharmacological experiment or clinical study. Mode of Administration: Liquid or dry pharmaceutical forms for oral intake. Duration of Administration: 6 weeks minimum.' Hawthorn has a long history in both folk medicine and clinical medicine as a heart tonic. The herb is typically used to improve cardiovascular function as it increases the supply of blood to the heart muscle resulting in enhanced circulation throughout the body. It has been shown to help stabilize angina pectoris as well as aiding recovery from heart attacks. The leaves flowers and berries of hawthorn contain a variety of bioflavonoid-like complexes that appear to be primarily responsible for the cardiac actions of the plant. Hawthorn seems to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and reduce production of the potent blood vessel-constricting substance angiotensin II. Hawthorn thus reduces resistance in arteries and improves extremity circulation. The bioflavonoids in hawthorn are potent antioxidants. Numerous double-blind clinical trials have confirmed hawthorn is beneficial for persons with serious heart conditions. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Cardiac diuretic astringent tonic. Mainly used as a cardiac tonic in organic and functional heart troubles. Both flowers and berries are astringent and useful in decoction to cure sore throats. A useful diuretic in dropsy and kidney troubles.' 'Preparation and dosage: Fluid Extract of Berries 10 to 15 drops.' 'The leaves have been used as an adulterant for tea. An excellent liqueur is made from Hawthorn berries with brandy.' American Materia Medica 1919 (Ellingwood): 'Dr. Jennings of Chicago in October 1896 published in the New York Medical Journal a letter containing the following statement: 'To this date I have successfully treated with crataegus one hundred and eighteen patients who were suffering with various forms of heart disease.... Of one hundred and fifty-seven reports from other physicians using the drug in their practice.... From these results my deductions are that Crataegus Oxyacantha is superior to any other of the well known and tried remedies at present in use in the treatment of heart disease because it seems to cure while the other remedies are only palliative at best.' 'Crataegus may be regarded as specific or the nearest approach to a specific in the following cardiac diseases: Angina pectoris valvular deficiency with or without enlargement endo-myo and pericarditis tachycardia rheumatism (co-called) of the heart cardiac neuralgias from whatever cause palpitation vertigo apoplexy dropsy and functional derangements.' 'The dose of ten to fifteen drops heretofore announced is too much and a dose of from four to eight drops four times a day is to be substituted.' 'Jennings advises the use of tonics and auxiliary agents to meet the indications in extreme cases of heart disease where a long train of symptoms has developed from the imperfect circulation and deficiency of oxygenation of the blood. He says in treating heart disease he was strikingly impressed with the rapidity with which cardiac dropsy disappeared under the influence of crataegus.' This is 2's nitrogen-flushed vacuum pack. Plum Flower is one of the most distinguished herb houses in the world. Sulfur Free Chlorine Free Aluminum Phosphate Free. Sulfites are used to give herbs the appearance of freshness. As with dried fruit unsulfured herbs look different than those that are adulterated with preservatives. Herbs that are preservative free are more natural looking and are generally darker. The brightness of the herbs may be appealing but it indicates the presence of harmful additives. Despite their appearance unsulfured herbs are more fresh and safer than regular commercially available products. The use of sulfur chlorine and aluminum phosphate was made unnecessary through the establishment of Plum Flower processing stations in China. Herb harvesters slice and process the herbs fresh avoiding the need to rehydrate dried herbs later to process. This first step is crucial as rehydration leads to decomposition and thus the need for preservatives. The herbs are then packed and the packages vacuum-packed injected with nitrogen and sealed. The nitrogen process combined with the lack of sulfur treatment inhibits the growth of anaerobic organisms resulting in safer higher quality herbs. After opening store in a cool dry place. The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou China scientifically test each batch of herbs before during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. Herbs are also tested to ensure that the formulas surpass all FDA guidelines regarding heavy metals. Those herbs exported to the U.S. are voluntarily submitted to the FDA for approval. Finally batches are regularly sent out for quality control testing in third-party labs to double-ensure that Plum Flower products are 100% free of pharmaceuticals preservatives and dyes. The Lanzhou and Guang Zhou factories are so clean they are certified by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (GMP). These standards surpass any of the FDA and are considered the highest for any government agency in the world.