The source is from the flower of Carthamus tinctorius L., family Compositae. The medicinal
material is mainly produced in the areas of Henan, Hubei, Sichuan, and Zhejiang, etc.. The
medicinal material is picked in summer when the flower changes from the yellow into the
bright red, dried in shade and the crude is used.
Medicinal Properties: Pungent in flavor, warm in nature and attributive to the heart and liver meridians.
Actions: Promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, promote menstruation and alleviate pain.
Application
1. For blood-stasis syndrome with dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and mass, trauma and pain of joints, etc., it is usually combined with Taoren ( Semen Persicae ), Danggui ( Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Chuanxiong ( Rhizoma Chuanxiong ), and Chishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), etc..
2. For darkish skin eruptions due to stagnation of heat and blood stasis, it is combined with Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ) , Zicao ( Radix Amebiae seu Lithospermi), and Daqingye (Folium Isatidis), etc., such as Danggui Honghua Yin (Decoction).
In addition, it can be used for angina pectoris of coronary heart disease, thromboangiitis
obliterans and erythema multiforme, etc..
Usage and Dosage:
3 - 10 g is used in decoction for oral use and just right amount for external use.
Notes:
Contraindicated in pregnant women and over dose is not suitable for cases with tendancy of bleeding.
Explanation Fanhonghua (Stigma Croci) is from the dried flower of the perennial herbage
Crocus sativus L. family Iridaceae. It is mainly produced in Europe and Middle Asia, sweet in
flavor, cold in nature and attributive to the heart and liver meridians. Its effect is similar to but stronger than that of Honghua (Flos Carthami) in circulating the blood and removing blood stasis, and promoting menstruation. Besides, it also has the effect of cooling the blood and removing toxins and is especially suitable for heat invading yingfen and xuefen, general eruption whose color is not redish, etc.. 1.5 - 3 g is decocted for oral use.