Huái Huā (槐花), known in English as Pagoda tree flower (Sophora japonica (flower)), is a cool, bitter Chinese herb from the Stop bleeding category. It enters the Liver and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: cools Blood, stops bleeding — especially rectal bleeding.
| Pinyin | Huái Huā (Huai Hua) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 槐花 |
| English | Pagoda tree flower |
| Botanical name | Sophora japonica (flower) |
| Category | Stop bleeding |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels | Liver, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Cold deficiency patterns |
Actions
- Cools Blood, stops bleeding — especially rectal bleeding
- Clears Liver Fire
Indications
- Haemorrhoidal or rectal bleeding
- Bloody stool from Heat in Large Intestine
- Epistaxis
- Liver Fire
How to remember Huái Huā
Stop bleeding herbs are mostly cool or cold and bitter, and most enter the Liver channel.
- You can work these out
- Cool, Bitter: like most Stop bleeding herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “Clears Liver Fire”
- Large Intestine channel: from its use for “bloody stool from Heat in Large Intestine”
Other Stop bleeding herbs
- Sān Qī
- Ài Yè
- Dì Yú
- Bái Máo Gēn
- Pú Huáng
- Xiān Hè Cǎo
- Bái Jí
- Qiàn Cǎo Gēn
- Dà Jì
- Xiǎo Jì
- Cè Bǎi Yè
- Ǒu Jié
- Fú Lóng Gān
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Huái Huā?
Huái Huā is cool and bitter.
Which channels does Huái Huā enter?
Huái Huā enters the Liver and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Huái Huā?
Cools Blood, stops bleeding — especially rectal bleeding; Clears Liver Fire.
What is Huái Huā used for?
Haemorrhoidal or rectal bleeding; bloody stool from Heat in Large Intestine; epistaxis; Liver Fire.
Practise Huái Huā and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.