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Hong Hua红花

Carthami Flos · Safflower

Herbs that Invigorate the Blood 活血化瘀药《新修本草》

Overview

The florets of safflower, acrid and warm, a direct and dependable blood mover. Small doses harmonize and gently nourish the blood; larger doses break stasis outright — which is why it appears wherever there is fixed stabbing pain, an absent or heavily clotted period, or a trauma bruise that will not disperse. It is most often paired with Tao Ren 桃仁.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Warm

Channels

Heart · Liver

Typical Dosage

3–10 g in decoction
红花Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Invigorates blood, dispels stasisFixed, stabbing chest or abdominal pain; palpable masses; dusky lips and tongue.
  • Regulates menses, relieves painAmenorrhea, clotted and painful periods, retained lochia after childbirth.
  • Disperses swelling after injurySprains, contusions and stubborn bruising, taken internally or used in soaks.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Hong Hua

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Amenorrhea, clotted painful menstruation, retained lochia
    - Fixed, stabbing chest or abdominal pain
    - Traumatic injury with bruising and swelling
    - Dark purplish skin lesions and slow-fading bruises

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

DysmenorrheaAmenorrheaAnginaSports injury

Contraindications

Cautions

Contraindicated where there is bleeding or a real risk of it: heavy menstrual bleeding, peptic ulcer, recent haemorrhage. Strongly blood-invigorating herbs are the standard caution alongside anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin — tell the prescribing physician, and expect the practitioner to withhold it before surgery or dental extraction.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — it moves blood strongly and has long been used to bring on menstruation

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.