Méi Guī Huā (玫瑰花), known in English as Rose bud (Rosa rugosa (flower bud)), is a warm, sweet and slightly bitter Chinese herb from the Regulate qi category. It enters the Liver and Spleen channels. Its main action: moves qi, relieves constraint.
| Pinyin | Méi Guī Huā (Mei Gui Hua) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 玫瑰花 |
| English | Rose bud |
| Botanical name | Rosa rugosa (flower bud) |
| Category | Regulate qi |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet, Slightly bitter |
| Channels | Liver, Spleen |
| Dosage | 3–6g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat |
Actions
- Moves qi, relieves constraint
- Harmonises Blood, relieves pain
Indications
- Liver and Stomach qi pain
- Poor appetite and nausea
- Irregular menstruation
- Pain from traumatic injury
How to remember Méi Guī Huā
Regulate qi herbs are mostly warm or hot, acrid and bitter, and most enter the Spleen and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Slightly bitter, Spleen channel: like most Regulate qi herbs
- Liver channel: from its use for “Liver and Stomach qi pain”
- Learn by heart
- Sweet: unusual for Regulate qi herbs (most are acrid or bitter)
Other Regulate qi herbs
- Chén Pí
- Zhǐ Shí
- Mù Xiāng
- Xiāng Fù
- Chén Xiāng
- Qīng Pí
- Fó Shǒu
- Chuān Liàn Zǐ
- Lì Zhī Hé
- Dà Fù Pí
- Wū Yào
- Zhǐ Ké
- Jú Hóng
- Xiè Bái
- Tán Xiāng
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Méi Guī Huā?
Méi Guī Huā is warm and sweet and slightly bitter.
Which channels does Méi Guī Huā enter?
Méi Guī Huā enters the Liver and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Méi Guī Huā?
Moves qi, relieves constraint; Harmonises Blood, relieves pain.
What is Méi Guī Huā used for?
Liver and Stomach qi pain; poor appetite and nausea; irregular menstruation; pain from traumatic injury.
Practise Méi Guī 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.