Chinese Hawthorn

Overview

Chinese Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) is a time-honored herbal remedy renowned for its cardiovascular and digestive health benefits. A staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this fruit is rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic value — making it a versatile addition to modern wellness regimens.

Other Common Names

• Shan Zha
• Crataegus pinnatifida
• Chinese May Tree
• Mountain Hawthorn
• Chinese Hawthorn Fruit

Top Benefits

• Supports cardiovascular health

• Enhances digestion

• Provides antioxidant protection

• Supports healthy blood pressure

• Stabilizes blood sugar
  

What Is Chinese Hawthorn?

Chinese Hawthorn is a small deciduous tree native to East Asia, primarily cultivated in China and Korea. Its bright red fruit — resembling miniature crabapples — has been used for centuries in both medicinal and culinary applications. Known for its tart flavor, Chinese Hawthorn is commonly consumed as tea, tincture, or supplement.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s praised for its ability to support heart health and digestion, especially following heavy or greasy meals. Modern research validates these traditional uses, demonstrating its potential to regulate blood pressure, improve cholesterol profiles, and reduce oxidative stress. These benefits stem from a rich profile of flavonoids, procyanidins, and phenolic acids — compounds that exhibit powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects.

Marco’s Grounds™ Chinese Hawthorn Sourcing

At Marco’s Grounds™, our Chinese Hawthorn fruit is source from a family-owned farm in Yantai, China — a region celebrated for its ideal growing conditions and nutrient-rich soil.

Our standardized extract ensures a high concentration of active compounds, such as flavonoids and procyanidins, delivering potent and consistent cardiovascular and digestive health benefits with every dose.

Chinese Hawthorn Dosing Principles and Rationale

Clinical studies recommend doses of 250 to 500 mg of standardized extract daily for cardiovascular benefits, with higher doses safely used in some cases [1, 2]. Marco’s Grounds™ adheres to hormetic dosing principles (see Marco’s Grounds Dosing Philosophy), optimizing the dose of Chinese Hawthorn extract for synergistic effects in our formulations.

Chinese Hawthorn Key Mechanisms

1. Cardiovascular Health

• Improves blood flow: Enhances coronary artery circulation, supporting heart function [1].

• Regulates blood pressure: Helps maintain healthy systolic and diastolic levels [2, 3].

• Reduces cholesterol: Lowers LDL and increases HDL cholesterol [4].

• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation markers linked to heart disease [5].

2. Digestive Support

• Stimulates gastric enzymes: Improves digestion by increasing bile secretion and enzymatic activity [6].

• Reduces bloating: Alleviates discomfort after heavy or fatty meals [7].

3. Antioxidant Protection

• Neutralizes free radicals: Rich in flavonoids and procyanidins that fight oxidative stress [8].

• Anti-aging properties: Reduces tissue damage and supports cellular longevity [9].

4. Blood Sugar Regulation

• Stabilizes blood glucose: Helps modulate post-meal blood sugar spikes and improves insulin sensitivity [10].

Synergies with other Marco’s Grounds™ Ingredients

• Magnesium – Enhances vascular relaxation and helps reduce blood pressure, complementing Chinese Hawthorn’s effects on heart health.

• Rhodiola Crenulata – Works synergistically to support cardiovascular function and reduce stress on the heart.

• Vitamin B6 – Supports healthy blood flow and enhances Chinese Hawthorn's effects on circulatory health.
  
  

References

1. Pittler, M. H., & Ernst, E. (2008). Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure: Meta-analysis of randomized trials. American Journal of Medicine, 114(8), 665–674.
2. Tauchert, M. (2002). Efficacy and safety of Crataegus extract WS 1442 in chronic heart failure. Phytomedicine, 9(6), 422–423.
3. Walker, A. F., et al. (2002). Hypotensive effects of hawthorn in diabetic patients taking medication. British Journal of General Practice, 52(482), 946–947.
4. Tassell, M. C., et al. (2010). Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2010(2), 1–8.
5. Edwards, J. E., et al. (2012). A systematic review of the efficacy of Crataegus in cardiovascular disease. Phytotherapy Research, 26(10), 1500–1513.
6. Pan, C. H., et al. (2015). Anti-inflammatory and digestive enzyme-stimulating effects of Chinese Hawthorn. Food & Function, 6(3), 959–967.
7. Wang, L., et al. (2014). Effect of hawthorn on digestion and lipid metabolism. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 155(1), 6–15.
8. Jayalakshmi, R., et al. (2011). Antioxidant activity of Crataegus pinnatifida. Food Chemistry, 127(3), 1200–1207.
9. Li, J., et al. (2013). Anti-aging effects of hawthorn flavonoids. Journal of Medicinal Food, 16(6), 501–508.
10. Zhang, Z., et al. (2011). Antidiabetic effects of Crataegus pinnatifida in experimental models. Phytotherapy Research, 25(8), 1163–1168.