Plants and therapeutic flowers used in herbal therapies are a fundamental part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. You’ve probably heard of some herbs used frequently, such as ginseng, licorice and rhubarb root.
However, there are others as well, and you might not expect.
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In most cases, the herbs (a combination of one to 13 different plants) are put into water and boiled. The resulting liquid is strained and drank as a water decoction.
These plants and therapeutic flowers can also be consumed in powdered form, spray-dried concentrates, pills, or even “honey pills,” which are obtained by combining powdered herbs with concentrated decoctions and honey to produce herbal medicine.
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7 Species of Forgotten Plants and Therapeutic Flowers Used in Chinese Herbal Medicine
1. Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua)
This plant is used mainly for colds, flu, and sore throats. It was even used in combination with the other three herbs as treatment for swine flu.
Studies have shown that the flower, in conjunction with other herbs used to treat acute bronchitis, “had an intense pharmacological action” and demonstrated both strong antibacterial and antiviral effects.
It is also known for its anti-inflammatory actions. (get it from Amazon: Honey suckle dried herbal tea)
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2. Viola Flower (Zi Hua Di Ding)
Also known as the purple flower earth or the Chinese violet, viola flower has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects (reduces fever).
It is often used to eliminate fever, releasing toxins or dissolving cutaneous formations and is an ancient remedy against snake bites. (to help reduce both swelling and toxicity).
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Viola is associated with the heart and the liver health, and some people are also using it for bacterial infections.
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3. Acacia Flower (Huai Hua)
Known as Pagoda flower, this remedy is used for bleeding, including hemorrhoids and excessive menstrual bleeding.
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4. Chrysanthemum Flower (Ju Hua)
This herbal medicine is used for treating dry and headaches, high blood pressure and irritated eyes.
Chrysanthemum flowers are frequently utilized in combination with honeysuckle to treat high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.
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It’s also said to be good for the liver and lungs and is usually consumed in tea form. (get it from Amazon: Organic Chrysanthemum Flowers)
The advantages of long-term consumption of Chrysanthemum tea have been well known throughout the history of Chinese medicine. It is said to prevent aging and to be a preference of Taoists and poets, though the benefits are achieved only with drinking the tea over an extended period.
Read also: 4 Daily Toxins That Accelerate The Aging Process
Taken over a long time, it facilitates the qi and blood, lightens the body and prevents aging.
5. Safflower (Hong Hua)
Known also as Carthamus, this red flower is used to treat menstrual disorders, reviving blood circulation, and eradicate clots. It’s also useful for healing heart disease, joint pain, and flat warts.
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Safflower is part of a group of Chinese herbs found to be potentially beneficial for people with high levels of triglycerides in the blood, a risk factor for arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
According to the American Botanical Council (ABC), safflower is among the Chinese herbs that help improve blood, stimulates circulation, nourish the blood, increases its volume and has antithrombotic properties.
Safflower helps blood circulation in coronary arteries and reduces myocardial oxygen use, ischemia, and arrhythmia’. (get it from Amazon: Safflower Tea – Loose Flower from 100% Nature)
6. Magnolia Flower (Xin Yin Hua)
If you suffer from nasal congestion or chronic sinusitis, the magnolia flower is the herbal remedy you need.
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Herbal tea with magnolia flower and other Chinese herbs was found to improve chronic sinusitis when used for six weeks.
The fermented magnolia flower petal extract has also shown promise as a natural antioxidant and anti-cancer agent.(get it from Amazon: Magnolia Bud Tea – Chinese Tea)
7. Lotus Flower (Lian Zi Xin)
The lotus flower is used for healing bleeding complications, including irritability, fevers as well as bloody noses. Its seeds stem and leaves are also utilized in TCM. (get it from Amazon: Tazo Decaf Lotus Blossom Green Tea)
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Elderflower: another legendary flower remedy worth trying
Elderflowers, (which also gives us elderberries), are rich in flavonoids, minerals, phenolic compounds, volatile oils, and more.
In traditional Greek medicine, elderflowers were used as a diaphoretic (to stimulate sweating, which is helpful when the body tries to eliminate a virus).
In Germany, elderflower is used to treat common colds, and in the US and Canada, elderflower may be combined with yarrow flower and peppermint leaf in tea form to relieve colds and flu. According to the American Botanical Council:
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“Its flavonoids and phenolic acids may contribute to the diaphoretic effect. It has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and diuretic actions in vitro studies. The flavonoids and triterpenes appear to be the main biologically active constituents.
The Commission E [in Germany] approved the internal administration of elderflower for colds. The British Herbal Compendium lists its uses for the common cold, feverish conditions, and as a diuretic. The German Standard License for elderflower tea calls it a diaphoretic medicine for the treatment of feverish common colds or catarrhal complaints.”
Elderflower is traditionally used as a tonic for strengthening immunity. It is also known to increase lung and bronchial tract health. (get it from Amazon: Elder Flowers Cut & Sifted Organic)
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If you’re fighting with a cold or flu, try drinking hot elderflower tea (combined with yarrow, boneset, linden, peppermint, and ginger, as desired) to induce sweating and remove the viruses. Further, as noted by Herb Wisdom:
“The general uses [of elderflower] are for colds and flu, sinus infections, and other respiratory disorders. As a supplement, elderflower also has diuretic and laxative properties and is useful in relieving occasional constipation.
Elderflower has antibacterial and antiviral qualities and may also help alleviate some allergies and support the functioning of the immune system. Topically, elderflower might help diminish pain and swelling in joints due to some forms of arthritis and is used to stop bleeding’’.
As an oral rinse, elderflower can be used for its antiseptic properties as a mouthwash and gargle and it also decreases blood sugar levels, very similar to the way insulin works.
With the rise of allopathic medicine shortly before World War I, herbal medicine science began to fell out of favor and became what is known as folk medicine.
Instead of looking at nature as a source of healing, as it was for hundreds of years, people began to consider drugs and other ‘’modern’’ methods of healing as superior.
This is a huge mistake, as modern drugs are nothing else than business.