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Knowledge baseHerbs

Hong Hua红花

Flos CarthamiSafflower

Also known asSaffron · Carthamus

Category
Herbs that Invigorate the Blood
Nature
warm
Taste
pungent
Channels entered
Heart, Liver
Secondary channels
Lung
Dosage
3–10 g

Usual doses

Dosage
3–10 g
Dosage
12–15 g
Dosage
0.9–1.5 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, opens the channels, unblocks menstruation and alleviates pain
  • Blood Stasis, especially in women for gynecological problems such as abdominal pain, amenorrhea, postpartum dizziness, retained lochia and abdominal masses
  • Trauma, non suppurative sores, carbuncles and dark, purplish erythema
  • Incomplete expression of rash of measles
  • Chest Bi due to Blood Stasis

Contraindications

  • Not to be used during pregnancy.
  • Not to be used in any bleeding disorder, including hemorrhagic disease, menorrhagia, or peptic ulcer.
  • Excessive dosage can cause continuous bleeding.
  • Caution: this herb may cause weight loss.

Interactions

Use cautiously in patients on anticoagulants such as heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and enoxaparin (Lovenox), or antiplatelet agents such as aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine), and clopidogrel (Plavix), since combined use may produce an additive or synergistic effect.

Combinations

Notes

  • In large doses it dispels Blood Stasis; in small doses it harmonizes the Blood.
  • Stigma Crocus Sativa, Tibetan saffron Fan Hong Hua or Xi Hong Hua, is both stronger and pricier than this herb, and is reserved for severe Blood Stasis presenting with chest pain.
  • The dried flower serves as the raw material used to make rouge.
  • This herb strongly activates the Blood.
  • Its most common application is in gynecological conditions.
  • Quality saffron is also sourced from Spain and Iran.
  • Some sources credit this herb with inducing labor.
  • Research has shown this herb inhibits cancer cell growth.
  • It moistens Dryness and harmonizes the Blood, easing Liver constraint; used in large amounts it breaks up Blood Stasis, while in small amounts it gently moves and nourishes the Blood.
  • For ceruminitis with continuous foul-smelling pus, grind 0.3g of Hong Hua with 30g of Alumen Ming Fan and pack the mixture into the ear.
  • It is also said that a water decoction of this herb nourishes the Blood, while a wine decoction removes Blood Stasis.
  • Hong Hua and Hb. Leonuri, Yi Mu Cao, both invigorate the Blood and act on the Blood Levels of the Heart and Liver channels. Hong Hua is warm and has the stronger Blood-invigorating action, reducing swelling and, at large doses, powerfully breaking up Blood Stasis; Yi Mu Cao is slightly cold, gently clearing Blood Heat when it accompanies Stagnation, and also promotes urination.
  • Hong Hua and Lignum Sappan, Su Mu, act similarly, though Hong Hua is slightly warm and mild while Su Mu is slightly cool.
  • Flos Crocus Sativa, Fan Hong Hua, is sweet and cold, entering the Heart and Liver channels. Its functions resemble those of Hong Hua but with a far stronger capacity to invigorate and cool the Blood, resolve Blood Stasis, and clear Heat toxin; it is typically used when Heat attacks the Ying and Xue levels with maculae and high fever. Being costly, it is used only occasionally, at a dosage of 1.5-3g.

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