Hong Hua | Flos Carthami | Safflower
Properties: acrid, warm
Enters the Heart and Liver channels
Hong Hua is known in Chinese Medicine for its ability to invigorate the blood, dispel blood stasis, open the channels (meridians), unblock menstruation, and alleviate pain. These functions make this herb a common ingredient in formulas for gynecological conditions.
Rectification of the Meaning of Materia Medica notes: [Hong Hua] is sweet, slightly bitter, slightly acrid, and a little cool: within yin it is slightly yang. It solely enters the blood vessels…It goes on to say: [Hong Hua] moistens dryness, invigorates the blood, stops pain, unblocks menstruation, and eliminates toxic swelling.
As with any herbal ingredient, the dosage will affect the herb's action. In the case of Hong Hua smaller dosages nourish the blood while larger ones promote the movement of blood. The dosage will also vary from internal to external formulations.
There are many active constituents in this herb, some of which include Carthaginian, Carthamidin, fatty acids, and flavonoids. The main bioactive compound in this herb, hydroxysafflor yellow A, which creates the vibrant color of Safflowers, also gives this herb its anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, free radical scavenging, and antioxidant properties.
We use Hong Hua in our Yoni Steam. As you see from this blog, this herb is beneficial for the yoni. We put Hong Hua in our steam specifically to assist in the function of menstruation regulation. If you are dealing with dysmenorrhea we suggest using this steam 3-5 days before and after bleeding. This herb in particular can assist the body so that qi and blood move smoothly.
References:
Bensky, Materia Medica, 3rd edition
PMID: 27286914
PMID: 24212075
PubChem CID: 6443665