Bougainvillea glabra Choisy
Aliases：Yè Zi Huā (Leaf Flower), Sān Jiǎo Huā (Triangle Flower), Sān Jiǎo Méi (Triangle Plum), Bǎo Jīn (Precious Scarf), Lè Dù Juān (Thorny Rhododendron), Jiǔ Zhòng Gé (Nine-layer Vine), Zǐ Yà Lán (Purple Orchid), Fāng Dù Juān (Fragrant Rhododendron).
Zǐ Sān Jiǎo is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the flower of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy, a plant belonging to the family Nyctaginaceae. This plant is a climbing shrub with stout stems, drooping branches, and axillary straight thorns. The flowers are usually 3 clustered within bracts, with the pedicel fused to the midrib of the bract; the bracts are leaf-like, dark red or purple, elliptical, and papery. The perianth tube is pale green, ridged, and shallowly 5-lobed at the apex. It flowers in winter and spring (in southern regions) or from March to July (in northern greenhouses).
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes blood circulation, regulates menstruation, resolves dampness, and treats leukorrhea.
Indications
Indicated for women with red and white leukorrhea (abnormal vaginal discharge) and irregular menstruation. It may also be used for amenorrhea due to blood stasis.
Modern Pharmacology
Antiviral effects: The protein BAP-1 found in the leaves showed a 76.7% inhibition rate against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) at a concentration of 10 μg/ml. Antiplatelet aggregation effects: Ferulic acid found in the roots, at 0.4–0.6 mg/ml, inhibited ADP and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in rats. Hypoglycemic effects: The leaves of the related species Bougainvillea spectabilis contain the antidiabetic compound D-chiro-inositol, which reduced blood glucose levels in rats by 38.20% at 12 hours after oral administration at 200 mg/kg. Antimicrobial effects: Extracts of the related species B. spectabilis have shown antimicrobial activity.
Ingredients
The flowers contain verbascose (C₃₀H₅₂O₂₆), C₂₀–₂₆ long-chain saturated fatty acids, 2-glucosylrutinose, and betacyanins. The leaves contain antiviral proteins BAP-1 and BAP-2. The roots contain ferulic acid.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g; or 3–5 qián (approximately 9–15 g).
Contraindications
Pregnant women should use with caution or avoid—as this herb has blood-activating and menstruation-regulating effects, its use during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage. Use with caution in those with heavy menstrual bleeding—its blood-activating effects may worsen bleeding. Contraindicated in those allergic to this product.
Selected Formulas
For red and white leukorrhea and menstrual irregularities in women (New Illustrated Chinese Herbal Medicine and Common Formulas 6) Take an appropriate amount of leaves (Bougainvillea spectabilis). Decoct in water and drink. For amenorrhea due to blood stasis, menstrual irregularities, and red and white leukorrhea (Chinese Materia Medica) Take 9–15g of Zisanjiao (Bougainvillea spectabilis). Decoct in water and drink. For carbuncles, sores, and painful swellings (folk formula) Take an appropriate amount of fresh leaves, crush and apply to the affected area. For invigorating blood and regulating menstruation (folk formula) Take 15g of leaves, 9g each of Danggui (Angelica), Baishao (White peony root), Jiguanhua (Celosia flower), and Meiguihua (Rose flower). Decoct in water and take in two divided doses. For invigorating blood, removing stasis, and moisturizing the skin (folk formula) Take 10g of leaves, 8g each of Yuejihua (Chinese rose) and Huangbai (Phellodendron). Decoct in water and take.
Daily Consumption
Decoction for oral administration: Take 9–15 g of dried Zǐ Sān Jiǎo (Yè Zi Huā), or 3–5 qián (approximately 9–15 g), decoct in water, strain, and drink the liquid. This is the most commonly used method. Single-herb decoction: Take an appropriate amount of Yè Zi Huā, decoct in water and take orally. Used for treating women with red and white leukorrhea and irregular menstruation. External application: Take an appropriate amount of fresh Yè Zi Huā, crush it, and apply it topically to the affected area. It may be used for carbuncles, sores, and painful swellings.
Medicinal Parts
Flower (dried flower).
Selection & Storage
Store in a well‑ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and mold.
