Single Herb Glossary
Hóng Huā 紅花
| Pharmaceutical name | Carthami Flos safflower, carthamus |
| Category | Invigorate Blood |
| Key Properties | invigorates the blood, stops pain |
| Properties | Acrid Warm |
| Tropism | HT, LV |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Invigorate Blood, Dispels Stasis, & Unblocks Menstruation (DuiYao with TaoRen) |
| Dosages | 3-9g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Pregnancy or bleeding problem. such as hemorrhagic disease or peptic ulcers. |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Carthamin, neocarthamin, carthamone, carthamidin, neocarthamin |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Cardiovascular: small dose of decoction has positive inotropic effects as it stimulates the heart; large dose has negative inotropic and chronotropic effects as it inhibits the heart and decreases overall cardiac output • Antiplatelet: demonstrated marked effectiveness to inhibit aggregation of platelets and formation of thrombi; reported in one study that herb is 73.4% effective in preventing formation of thrombi in rats • CNS suppressant: intraperitoneal administration has sedative effect on CNS, as demonstrated in mice; has preventative effect against drug-induced seizures • Adaptogenic: intraperitoneal administration at 1,100 mg/kg increased total swimming time of mice by up to 117% • Uterine stimulant: decoction has stimulating effect on smooth muscle of uterus to increase muscle contraction, as demonstrated in various animal studies |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs: herb has antiplatelet action, should be used with caution in patients who take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications; may potentiate effect of drugs such as warfarin |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (Tonify the Yang to Restore Five [-Tenths] Decoction 補陽還五湯 (补阳还五汤) Guo Qi Yin (Delayed Menstruation Decoction) 過期飲 Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan (Pill to Treat Painful Wind Anywhere) 上中下通用痛風丸 Shu Gan Tang (Dredge the Liver Decoction) 疏肝湯 Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Stasis from the Mansion of Blood Decoction) 血府逐瘀湯 |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.