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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Master Blood-Activating Stasis-Dispelling, Coronary-Dilating & Emmenagogue Monarch (活血通经 / 祛瘀止痛散结消肿通利血脉治冠心病心绞痛心肌梗死脑梗死痛经闭经产后恶露不尽 — 历代活血祛瘀第一神花红花 / 冠心病心绞痛与血瘀药皇 / 经典名方桃红四物汤核心君药 / 孕妇严禁内服)

    红花 / 草红花 / 刺红花 / 红蓝花 / 丹华 / 红花菜 — Carthamus tinctorius L.

    Pinyin: Hónghuā / Cǎohónghuā / Cìhónghuā · Malay: Bunga Kesumba / Kesumba / Kekumba / Safflower / False Saffron / Flos Carthami · Family: Asteraceae / Compositae (菊科 / 菜蓟族 / 红花属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm (温 / 辛温芳香走窜)

    Flavor

    Pungent, slightly bitter, warm, aromatic (辛、微苦、温、气香特异)

    Meridians

    Heart (心), Liver (肝)

    Traditional Edict

    Safflower / Red Flower (Bunga Kesumba / Hong Hua / Flos Carthami). Spiny thistle with fiery scarlet tubular florets. Supreme Emperor for Breaking Blood Stasis: tiny doses harmonize blood, moderate doses activate menstruation, large doses purge dark clots, dilate coronary arteries, and resolve angina.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • BLACK BOX OBSTETRIC CONTRAINDICATION: POTENT UTERINE STIMULANT AND ABORTIFACIENT; ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY. Contraindicated in active bleeding ulcers and bleeding diatheses.

    Clinical Applications

    • Coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction (HSYA endothelial eNOS vasodilation and infarct reduction), ischemic cerebral stroke, and obstinate dysmenorrhea with dark purplish blood clots.

    Quality Markers

    Hydroxysafflor Yellow A (HSYA / 羟基红花黄色素 A) >= 1.00%-2.50% (HPLC Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard) & Total Safflower Yellow >= 10.0%

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Hydroxysafflor Yellow A (HSYA) acts as a competitive antagonist of Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) receptors (IC50=1.8 uM), preventing thrombosis. 2. Activates PI3K/Akt/eNOS to surge coronary blood flow.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CLASSICAL TAOHONG SIWU TANG (Master Blood-Activating Prescription): 3 to 10 g Hong Hua with Tao Ren (9 g), Dang Gui (12 g), and Chuan Xiong decocted in 600 mL water. RAW VS. WINE PAOZHI: Raw unblocks menses; Wine-stir-fried (Jiu Hong Hua) directs into Heart to dissolve coronary thrombi.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Classical Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (Master Coronary & Chest Stasis Formula) with Persica (Tao Ren) and Chuan Xiong. 2. Classical Taohong Siwu Tang with Dang Gui and Rehmannia.

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    Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only