Hawthorn is a common food ingredient that is both a medicine and food. It mainly contains organic acids, flavonoids, vitamin C and other ingredients. It has the effects of aiding digestion, lowering lipids, protecting cardiovascular system, and anti-oxidation. Traditional medicine also believes that it has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.

1. Main effects and functions

1. Digestion and accumulation

The organic acids in hawthorn (such as citric acid and malic acid) can stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, help break down fat and protein, and relieve problems such as meat stagnation and abdominal distension. Eating hawthorn products (such as hawthorn slices and hawthorn water) in moderation after meals can promote digestion.

2. Regulating blood lipids and cardiovascular protection

Flavonoid compounds (such as quercetin and hyperoside) can inhibit cholesterol synthesis, reduce triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein ("bad cholesterol") in the blood, and assist in preventing arteriosclerosis.

Experimental studies have shown that hawthorn extract can dilate blood vessels, improve microcirculation, and have a certain auxiliary conditioning effect on patients with hypertension and coronary heart disease.

3. Antioxidant and immune enhancement

Hawthorn is rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, which can remove free radicals and delay cell aging. Long-term and moderate consumption helps improve immunity.

4. Traditional medical application

Chinese medicine believes that hawthorn is slightly warm in nature, sour and sweet in taste, and belongs to the spleen, stomach, and liver meridians. It can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. It is often used to regulate blood stasis type dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, etc.