Rosae Multiflorae Flos
Aliases：Cì Huā (Thorn Flower), Bái Cán Huā (White Wilted Flower), Zǐ Mǐ Mǐ Huā (Purple Millet Flower); Qiáng Mí (Rose), Cì Hóng (Thorn Red), Qī Zǐ Mèi (Seven Sisters).
Qiáng Wēi Huā is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from the dried flower of Rosa multiflora Thunb. (also known as wild rose), a plant belonging to the family Rosaceae. This plant is a climbing shrub, about 2 meters tall, with thorny stems. The flowers are numerous, arranged in panicles, white in color, and highly fragrant. Qiáng Wēi Huā was first recorded in Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (Supplements to the Compendium of Materia Medica). Together with Chinese rose and rose, it is known as one of the “three garden jewels”. It is both a famous ornamental plant and a valuable medicinal herb.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears summer heat, harmonizes the Stomach, promotes blood circulation and stops bleeding, and detoxifies.
Indications
Indicated for summer-heat with thirst and restlessness, stomach distension and fullness, hematemesis and epistaxis (vomiting blood and nosebleed), oral ulcers, carbuncles and boils (sores and swellings), and irregular menstruation. It may also be used for summer-heat with thirst, dysentery, malaria, and bleeding from knife wounds.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial effects: The flower contains volatile oils and other components that have inhibitory effects against various bacteria. Choleretic effects. Antioxidant effects: The flowers of related species such as Rosa laxa are rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other components, exhibiting strong antioxidant activity.
Ingredients
The volatile oil of the flower contains 28 compounds, with the main components being 2,5,5-trimethylheptadiene and methyl geranate (methyl香叶酸酯), among others. It also contains geraniol, vanillyl alcohol, astragalin, and other components. Related species (such as Rosa laxa) contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–6 g. May also be steeped as a tea substitute. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, ground into powder and sprinkled on the affected area; or crushed and applied topically.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold. Use with caution during pregnancy. Being highly aromatic and pungent, it may consume vital Qi; therefore, it is contraindicated in those with Qi deficiency.
Selected Formulas
For summer‑heat chest stuffiness and poor appetite (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 9g of Baicanhua (Rosa multiflora flower), decoct in water and drink frequently as tea; or combine 9g each of Baicanhua and Peilan (Eupatorium), decoct and drink. For epigastric and abdominal stabbing pain (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 9g each of Baicanhua and Xiangfu (Cyperus), 6g of Zhike (Bitter orange), and 4.5g each of raw Puhuang (Cattail pollen) and Wulingzhi (Trogopterus dung). Decoct in water and drink. For summer‑heat chest stuffiness, vomiting, and poor appetite (empirical formula) Take 9g of Qiangweihua (Rosa multiflora flower), decoct in water and drink. For malaria (empirical formula) Take 15g of wild rose flower, mix with tea leaves, decoct in water and drink. For menorrhagia (empirical formula) Take 20g of fresh rose flower, 30g of rose root, and 500g of lean pork. Place the flowers and roots in a gauze bag, add seasonings, and stew with the pork. Eat the meat and drink the soup. For summer‑heat irritability, thirst, diarrhea, and dysentery (empirical formula) Take 10 fresh rose flowers, cook with 100g each of mung beans and Japonica rice into congee. When done, add the fresh flowers and white sugar, bring to a brief boil, and serve. For angular cheilitis and persistent oral ulceration (Zhejiang Medicinal Plant Records) Take appropriate amounts of Baicanhua, Yinhua (honeysuckle flower), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Xuanshen (Scrophularia), and Shengdi (Rehmannia). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Qiáng Wēi Huā Tea: Take 10 g of Qiáng Wēi Huā and 3 g of tea leaves. Steep in boiling water and drink as a tea. It helps clear summer heat and quench thirst. Qiáng Wēi Huā Drink: Take 10 g of Qiáng Wēi Huā and 15 g of Roxburgh rose (Cì Lí). Decoct in water and drink. Used for summer-heat with thirst, restlessness, and poor appetite. Qiáng Wēi Huā Congee: Take 4 fresh Qiáng Wēi Huā flowers, 100 g of rice, and an appropriate amount of white sugar. Cook into congee and consume. It helps clear heat and relieve summer heat. Qiáng Wēi and Mung Bean Congee: Take 4 fresh Qiáng Wēi Huā flowers, 50 g each of rice and mung beans, and an appropriate amount of white sugar. Cook into congee and consume. Suitable for summer-heat with hematemesis and feverish restlessness.
Medicinal Parts
Dried flower.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from insects and mold.
