Rosae Rugosae Flos
Aliases：Pái Huái Huā (Wandering Flower), Bǐ Tóu Huā (Brush-tip Flower), Hú Huā (Lake Flower), Cì Méi Huā (Thorny Rose Flower), Cì Méi Jú (Thorny Rose Chrysanthemum), Bèi Lěi Huā (Bud Flower), Hóng Méi Guī (Red Rose).
Méi Gui Huā (Rose Flower) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from the dried flower buds of Rosa rugosa Thunb., a plant belonging to the genus Rosa of the family Rosaceae. The product appears as slightly hemispherical or irregularly shaped clusters, 0.7–1.5 cm in diameter. The receptacle is hemispherical and fused with the base of the calyx; the 5 sepals are lanceolate, yellowish-green or brownish-green, covered with fine hairs; the petals are mostly shriveled, broadly ovate when flattened, arranged in an overlapping (imbricate) pattern, purplish-red in color, some yellowish-brown; stamens are numerous and yellowish-brown. The rose is a well-known ornamental plant, and its medicinal value has also been highly regarded. Rose Flower is included in Volume I of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition).
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes Qi flow, relieves depression, harmonizes blood, and alleviates pain.
Indications
Indicated for Liver-Stomach Qi pain, poor appetite with nausea and vomiting, irregular menstruation, and traumatic injuries. It may also be used for chest and hypochondriac distension and pain, and premenstrual breast distension due to Liver Qi stagnation.
Modern Pharmacology
Antioxidant effects: Rose flower extract exhibits significant antioxidant activity. Lipid regulation and antithrombotic effects: Exhibits lipid-regulating and antithrombotic effects. Anti-myocardial ischemia effects: Provides certain protective effects against experimental myocardial ischemia. Improvement of microcirculation: The total extract of rose flower increases microarterial blood flow velocity and promotes recovery from microcirculatory disorders. Antibacterial and antiviral effects: Exhibits antibacterial and antiviral activities. Antitumor effects: Possesses certain antitumor activity. Hepatoprotective and choleretic effects: Promotes bile secretion and provides protective effects on the liver. Effects on the nervous system: Exhibits sedative, hypnotic, and antidepressant effects, regulating the central nervous system. Hypoglycemic effects: Exhibits blood glucose-lowering activity.
Ingredients
Rose flower contains a rich variety of chemical constituents, with over 300 compounds having been identified. It mainly contains volatile oil (rose oil), the main components of which are citronellol, geraniol (also known as roseol), nerol, eugenol, phenylethanol, and others. In addition, it contains flavonoids, quercitrin, tannins, fatty oils, organic acids, polysaccharides, amino acids, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–6 g; or 3–10 g. It may also be steeped in wine or brewed as tea.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with Yin deficiency and fire excess. Use with caution during pregnancy—as rose flower has blood-activating effects, which may affect fetal stability.
Selected Formulas
For liver-stomach qi pain (empirical formula) Take Meiguihua (Rose) together with Xiangfu (Cyperus), Foshou (Buddha's hand), and Sharen (Amomum). Decoct in water and drink. For menstrual irregularities and premenstrual breast distension (empirical formula) Take Meiguihua with Danggui (Angelica), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), and Baishao (White peony). Decoct in water and drink. For traumatic injury pain (empirical formula) Take Meiguihua with Danggui, Chuanxiong, and Chishao (Red peony). Decoct in water and drink. For regulating qi, relieving depression, invigorating blood, and dispersing stasis (Rose Tea, empirical formula) Take 5–10 dried rose buds, steep in 80–90°C hot water for 5–10 minutes, and drink. For unblocking channels and dispelling wind-dampness (Rose Wine-Fermented Cake, empirical formula) Take 500g of flour, 250g of sweet fermented rice wine, 5g of dried rose, and an appropriate amount of sugar. Spread the flour, mix with sweet fermented rice wine, add a little warm water, sugar, and crushed rose, knead into dough, rest for 30 minutes, make into cakes, and pan-fry until golden and crispy. For nourishing the heart and calming the spirit (Rose-Grilled Lamb Heart, empirical formula) Take 50g of fresh rose, 50g of lamb heart, and 50g of salt. Boil the fresh rose with water and salt for 10 minutes, then cool and set aside. Slice the lamb heart, thread onto skewers, grill while brushing with the rose-salt water until cooked and tender.
Daily Consumption
Tea: Take 5–10 dried rose buds and steep them in 80–90°C hot water for 5–10 minutes before drinking. May be sweetened with honey or rock sugar to taste. Rose Jam: Mix rose petals with white sugar in a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3, mash them together, place the mixture in a clean jar, seal it, and store in a cool, dark place. It can be consumed after at least two months. Congee: Rose flower can be added to congee for cooking. Wine infusion: Rose flower can be steeped in wine for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried flower buds.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place in a sealed container, protected from moisture and to prevent the loss of fragrance.
