The efficacy and function of hollyhock flowers

The development of Western medicine has brought some crises to traditional Chinese medicine. But traditional Chinese medicine still has many magical aspects. Let’s talk about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine hollyhock.

[Other names] Calendula officinalis (Erya Yi), chessboard flower (Classification of Herbal Properties), Shuqi flower (Bencao Tui Chen), water lotus (Hunan Materia Medica), rice seedling flower (Guizhou Herbal Medicine), cymbal flower, and cane flower (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine).

[Source] It is the flower of hollyhock , a plant of the Malvaceae family. Harvest in summer and autumn and sun-dried.

[Original form] Hibiscus sabdariffa (Qian Jin Shi Zhi), also known as: Hibiscus sabdariffa, Rong Kui (Erya), Wu Kui (Bie Lu), Hu Kui (Qian Jin Fang), Yi Zhang Hong (Records of Herbs and Plants).

【Habitat distribution】 Cultivated in all places.

[Chemical composition] The petals contain a yellow pigment with a melting point of 261°C (decomposition), which may be a substance with a dibenzoylmethanol-type structure and related to kaempferol. From the white flowers, two possible glycosides of dihydrokaempferol have been separated. One is a colorless crystal with a decomposition point of 235°C; the other is a light yellow crystal with a decomposition point of 261°C. The decomposition point of the aglycone of the former is 232°C, and the sugar is glucose. The dark yellow one has been separated into a glucoside called hibiscus glycoside; its hydrolysis produces glucose and hibiscus glycoside. The red pigment of the flower turns red in acidic conditions and brown in alkaline conditions, and can be used as a neutralization indicator.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet, cold.

【Functions and indications】Harmonizes blood and moistens dryness, and facilitates bowel movements. Treat dysentery, vomiting blood, metrorrhagia, leucorrhea, urinary obstruction, malaria, and rubella in children.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 1 to 2 qian; or grind into powder. For external use: grind into powder and apply on skin. "

【Note】 "Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Annals": "Pregnant women should not use it."

[Additional prescription] ① To treat leucorrhea, cold pain in the navel and abdomen, sallow complexion, and gradual weakening in women: 5 liang of white hollyhock flowers. Dry in the shade, grind into powder, and take 2 qian of it with warm wine before meals. If there is red vaginal discharge, red flowers can also be used. (Sheng Hui Fang)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Qian Jin, Food Treatment" 1. "Erya" Guo Pu's note: Hibiscus, similar to sunflower, the flower is like wood flower.

After the above introduction to hollyhock flowers, we have a detailed understanding of hollyhock flowers. In life, we can learn more about the characteristics of hollyhock flowers and make full use of its medicinal value to serve our lives.