紅花
Safflower (Honghua)
Pharmaceutical Name: Flos Carthami
Botanical Name: Carthamus tinctorius L.
Common Name: Carthamus, Safflower
Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao
Part Used: The flowers are gathered in summer, when they turn bright red. They are then dried in the shade.
Natural Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm
Meridians: Heart and liver
Therapeutic Effects:
1. To invigorate blood and release stagnation.
2. To promote menstruation.
Indications & Combinations : Blood stagnation manifested as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and pain and swelling due to external injuries. Safflower (Honghua) is used with Peach seed (Taoren), Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong) and Red peony (Chishao) in the formula Tao Hong Siwu Tang.
Dosage: 3-10 g
Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated during pregnancy.
