Author: Wu Qiong, Chief Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, Southern Theater Command General Hospital; Sun Chunling
Editor: Fu Yongjin, Chief Pharmacist, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University
Honghua (Safflower)
Honghua is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb with significant medicinal value. Below, I will provide a detailed introduction to the effects, types, usage, and precautions of Honghua.
01
Effects of Honghua
Honghua is a red flower and a medicinal herb that has the effects of promoting blood circulation and alleviating pain. In clinical practice, Honghua is often used to treat various blood stasis syndromes, such as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and postpartum retention of lochia.
02
Types of Honghua
There are many types of Honghua, commonly including cāng hóng huā (Saffron) and cǎo hóng huā (Common Safflower). Among them, cāng hóng huā is considered the premium grade of Honghua, known as “red gold,” and has extremely high medicinal value. The flower threads of cāng hóng huā are long, deep red in color, and have a fragrant aroma; high-quality cāng hóng huā is also relatively expensive. In contrast, cǎo hóng huā is more common and more affordable.
03
Precautions for Using Honghua
When using Honghua, we need to pay attention to the dosage and method. Generally, the dosage of Honghua should not be excessive to avoid adverse reactions such as heat accumulation. Additionally, Honghua should be soaked in warm water and then cooked with other ingredients to better exert its medicinal effects. Furthermore, Honghua is not suitable for pregnant women or those with excessive menstrual bleeding.
In addition to promoting blood circulation and alleviating pain, Honghua also has beautifying effects and can help regulate the endocrine system. For example, certain components in Honghua can promote blood circulation, which helps improve dull complexion and pigmentation issues; at the same time, Honghua can also help regulate the endocrine system, which aids in improving sleep quality.
In summary, Honghua is a very practical medicinal herb with multiple medicinal values. In daily life, we can use Honghua to regulate the body and enhance beauty, but it is important to pay attention to the dosage and method of use. Additionally, for certain special populations, such as pregnant women and those with excessive menstrual bleeding, the use of Honghua should be avoided.
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Review Expert: Ji Bo, Chief Pharmacist, Southern Theater Command General Hospital
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