Epiphyllum oxypetalum（DC.）Haw.
Aliases：Qióng Huā, Tán Huá, Guǐ Zǎi Huā, Wéi Tuó Huā, Yuè Xià Měi Rén, Fèng Huā, Yuè Lái Měi Rén, Jīn Gōu Lián, Yè Xià Lián.
Tán Huā is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the flower of Epiphyllum oxypetalum (DC.) Haw., a plant belonging to the family Cactaceae. This plant is an epiphytic succulent shrub, growing 2–6 meters tall, with cylindrical, woody old stems. The branches are numerous, flattened and leaf-like, with undulate or deeply crenate margins. The flowers are solitary, arising from small areoles on the sides of the branches, funnel-shaped, fragrant, and open at night, measuring 25–30 cm in length and 10–12 cm in diameter. The tepals are white, and the flowers bloom for only a few hours, giving rise to the saying "a flash in the pan". The fruit is an oblong berry, red, with longitudinal ridges and juicy pulp.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears the Lung and relieves cough; cools the blood and stops bleeding; nourishes the Heart and calms the spirit.
Indications
Indicated for lung-heat cough, pulmonary tuberculosis, hemoptysis, metrorrhagia (abnormal uterine bleeding), palpitations, and insomnia. It may also be used for stomach pain and hematemesis. In addition, Tán Huā has effects of softening stools, removing toxins, clearing heat, and relieving asthma. It may be used for large intestine heat conditions, constipation with bloody stool, pneumonia, blood-streaked sputum, and asthma.
Modern Pharmacology
Antihypertensive and lipid-lowering effects: Tán Huā has blood pressure-lowering and lipid-lowering effects. Anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects: Tán Huā has certain anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects. Diuretic effect: Tán Huā promotes fluid metabolism in the body and alleviates edema symptoms. Sedative and calming effects: Tán Huā has mild sedative effects; its aromatic components can soothe nervous tension and help improve sleep.
Ingredients
Tán Huā mainly contains flavonoids. The flowers contain mucilage, alcohols, volatile oils, adenine, amino acids, choline, stachydrine, flavonoids, and vitamins (such as vitamin C and vitamin A). The main component of the floral fragrance is geraniol (accounting for 72.54% of total volatile emissions), followed by benzyl alcohol (12.96%) and methyl salicylate (3.75%).
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: Decoct in water, 9–18 g; or 3–5 flowers. For fresh consumption, the recommended daily intake is within 50 grams; for dried products, 5–10 grams is recommended. For external use: Take an appropriate amount of Tán Huā stem, crush it, and apply topically to the affected area. It has heat-clearing and detoxifying effects and may be used for furuncles and sores.
Contraindications
Use with caution in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold—as this product is cool in nature, it may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Contraindicated in patients with debility and stomach cold. Use with caution during pregnancy. Use with caution in breastfeeding women and infants. Contraindicated in those with pollen allergy—may cause rashes, itching, and other allergic reactions. Not suitable for those with wind-cold cough or cough with copious thin phlegm. Individuals with hypotension should avoid excessive consumption. Long-term or high-dose use may cause Spleen-Stomach discomfort. It is recommended to balance the medicinal property with warm-natured ingredients such as red dates and goji berries.
Selected Formulas
For pulmonary tuberculosis with cough and hemoptysis (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 3–5 flowers of Tanhua (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), 15g of rock sugar, stew in water, and drink. For uterine bleeding (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 2–3 flowers of Tanhua and a small amount of lean pork, stew, and consume. For cardiac-stomach qi pain and hematemesis (Luchuan Bencao) Take an appropriate amount of Tanhua, decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Stewed: Take 3–5 Tán Huā flowers, add rock sugar and water, and stew for consumption. Congee: Wash the Tán Huā and cut it into small pieces, then cook with rice to make congee. Stir-fried: Heat oil in a pan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add the Tán Huā (torn into strips) and stir-fry quickly, then season with a little salt. Soup: Tán Huā can be stewed with pork, lean pork, or other ingredients to make soup. Steamed: Steam Tán Huā with rock sugar for about one hour. Cold dressed: Blanch Tán Huā, then dress with seasonings.
Medicinal Parts
Flower.
Selection & Storage
Dry in a ventilated place. Dried products should be protected from moisture and light. Do not consume if moldy or spoiled.
