Sophorae Flos
Aliases：Bái Huái, Yòu Huā, Huái Huā Mǐ, Huái Huā, Huái Ruǐ, Huái Zǐ.
Huái Mǐ is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried flower bud of Sophora japonica L., a plant belonging to the family Leguminosae. The flower bud is ovoid or elliptical in shape, 2–6 mm long and about 2 mm in diameter. The calyx is yellow-green with several longitudinal stripes on the lower part, and above the calyx are yellowish-white unopened petals. The pedicel is slender. It is light in weight and crumbles easily when pressed by hand. It has a faint odor and a slightly bitter and astringent taste. Both Huái Mǐ (the unopened flower buds) and Huái Huā (the opened flowers) come from the same plant; the former refers to the unopened flower buds, while the latter refers to the opened flowers. They are often collectively referred to as "Huái Huā," with the flower buds commonly known as "Huái Mǐ."
Efficacy & Actions
Cools blood and stops bleeding; clears the Liver and drains fire.
Indications
Used for hematochezia, hemorrhoidal bleeding, bloody dysentery, abnormal uterine bleeding, hematemesis, epistaxis, liver-heat with red eyes, headache, and dizziness.
Modern Pharmacology
Antioxidant effects: Rutin, the main component of Huái Mǐ, is a natural antioxidant that reduces capillary permeability and exhibits antioxidant activity. Another major component, quercetin, can chelate or capture free radicals, preventing lipid peroxidation in the body. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects: Huái Mǐ exhibits anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Hexadecanoic acid found in Huái Mǐ shows inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella, and Salmonella typhi. Antitumor effects: Components such as quercetin have anti-cancer effects and can inhibit the growth and proliferation of tumor cells including glioma cells. Hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects. Central nervous system protection. Hemostatic effects. Antiviral and aldose reductase inhibitory effects.
Ingredients
Huái Mǐ primarily contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, sugars, proteins, and amino acids, among which flavonoids are its main active components. The flavonoids specifically include: Rutin: The main active component of Huái Mǐ Quercetin Kaempferol Sophoricoside, etc. In addition, Huái Mǐ also contains volatile oil components such as palmitic acid, 9,12,15-octadecatrien-1-ol, and β-sitosterol. Per 100 g of fresh product, it contains 78 g water, 3.1 g protein, 0.7 g fat, 15 g carbohydrates, 8.3 mg calcium, 69 mg phosphorus, 3.6 mg iron, 0.04 mg carotene, 0.04 mg vitamin B₁, 0.18 mg vitamin B₂, 6.6 mg niacin, and 66 mg vitamin C.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 5–10 g; or make into pills or powders. For external use: decoct in water for fumigation and washing; or grind into powder and sprinkle.
Contraindications
Use with caution in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold and Yin deficiency with fever but without excess fire.
Selected Formulas
For bloody stools and dysentery due to damp-heat stagnation (Puji Fang, Huaihua San) Take Huaimi (Sophora flower bud) with Cebaiye (Platycladus leaf), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), and Zhike (Bitter orange). Grind into powder. Take 6g each time with rice water. For persistent epistaxis (Puji Fang) Take equal parts of Huaihua (Sophora flower) and Wuzeyugu (Cuttlefish bone), half raw and half stir-fried. Grind into powder and blow into the nostrils. For persistent hematemesis (Puji Fang) Take Huaihua, burn until charred while retaining its properties, add a little Shexiang (Musk), and grind evenly. Take 3 qian with glutinous rice water. For hypertension with dizziness and red eyes (empirical formula) Take 12g of Huaihua, 15g of Juhua (Chrysanthemum), and 12g of Caojueming (Cassia seed). Decoct in water and drink. For hematuria (empirical formula) Take 1 liang each of stir-fried Huaihua and simmered Yujin (Curcuma). Grind into powder. Take 6g each time with rice water. For hemorrhoidal bleeding and bloody stools due to blood heat (empirical formula) Take Huaimi with Jingjiesui (Schizonepeta spike). Decoct in water or grind into powder and take. For hemorrhoidal bleeding and bloody stools due to damp-heat accumulation in the large intestine, with bright red blood (empirical formula) Take Huaimi with Huanglian (Coptis). Decoct in water and drink. For headache, dizziness, and red swollen eyes due to liver fire flaring upward (empirical formula) Take Huaimi with Xiakucao (Prunella spike). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Tea infusion: Take an appropriate amount of raw Huái Mǐ, Chrysanthemum, and green tea. Wash them, place in a cup, and steep in boiling water for a few moments before drinking. Huái Huā Wine: Huái Huā 100 g, white wine 750 ml, white sugar to taste. Place the flower buds in gauze, put into a container with the white wine and sugar, seal, and steep for 2 months before drinking. Take 30–50 ml once daily. Huái Huā Drink: Aged Huái Huā 10 g, polished rice 30 g, brown sugar to taste. First cook the rice to obtain rice soup, then mix in ground Huái Huā and brown sugar. Ju Huái Tea: Chrysanthemum, Huái Huā, and green tea, 3 g each; steep in boiling water and drink. It helps clear the Liver, disperse wind, and brighten the eyes. Congee: Huái Mǐ can be cooked into congee, which helps promote gastrointestinal motility. Cooking: Huái Mǐ can be stir-fried, dressed cold, or used to make Huái Huā rice, Huái Huā pancakes, Huái Huā dumplings, and other dishes.
Medicinal Parts
Dried flower buds.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place. Protect from moisture and insects.
