Hou Po Hua厚朴花
Magnoliae Officinalis Flos · Houpu Magnolia Flower Bud
Overview
The unopened flower bud of the same tree whose bark is Hou Po, gathered in spring. It keeps the bark's direction — aromatic, transforming damp, loosening a middle burner that feels stuffed — but carries far less of its bitter, downward-driving, drying force, which makes it the choice when the fullness is light or the patient will not tolerate the bark. It should not be confused with Xin Yi 辛夷, the magnolia bud used for the nose: different species, different chapter, different work.
Nature & Flavor
Bitter, aromatic · Slightly warmChannels
Spleen · StomachTypical Dosage
3–9 gActions
3 core actions
- Transforms damp with its fragranceDamp lodged in the middle burner: a sticky white tongue coating, a full chest and epigastrium, food that tastes of nothing and appetite that does not come.
- Moves qi and loosens the middleDistension and stuffiness through the epigastrium and below the ribs, belching, a pressure that eases for a moment after wind passes and then returns.
- Gentler than the barkIt does not carry the bark's strength to break downward accumulation or to settle wheezing, so it is not a substitute for Hou Po in constipation with abdominal fullness or in phlegm-damp cough. Choose it for mild, lingering damp obstruction and for patients the bark would dry out.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Hou Po Hua
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Mild damp obstruction of the middle burner with a greasy white coating
- Epigastric and hypochondriac stuffiness and distension
- Poor appetite and tasteless food in humid weather
- Belching and a full feeling after eating, without heavy accumulation
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Aromatic and drying in direction, even if mildly so: unsuitable in yin deficiency with a dry mouth and a peeled tongue, and in a depleted, fluid-poor patient. Its action sits in the volatile oil, so a long boil throws the medicine away — decoct it briefly rather than from the start.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not a classical pregnancy contraindication and gentler than the bark, but it still moves qi downward — use in pregnancy only on a practitioner's prescription.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- 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.