Natural Herb Library

Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud

Chinese
槐花
Pinyin
Huai Hua
Latin
Flos Sophorae
Botanical illustration of Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud, Styphnolobium japonicum, showing bud clusters, pinnate leaves, dried buds, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Huai Hua (槐花), this bitter, cool herb enters the Liver and Large Intestine. Traditionally, it cools the blood and stops bleeding - Huai Hua is a classic herb for bleeding from heat, especially hemorrhoidal bleeding, intestinal bleeding, and other lower-tract blood loss, most often applied for hemorrhoids, hematuria, and uterine bleeding. Modern research has identified Rutin among its active constituents.

Part used: Flower

Also Known As

Sophora

Latin: Flos Sophorae | Pinyin: Huai Hua | Chinese: 槐花

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
cool
Channels
Liver, Large Intestine

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Cools the blood and stops bleeding - Huai Hua is a classic herb for bleeding from heat, especially hemorrhoidal bleeding, intestinal bleeding, and other lower-tract blood loss.
  • Clears Liver fire - it is also used for headache, red eyes, and upward-rising heat signs when the Liver channel is involved.
  • Can be used for uterine and urinary bleeding patterns with heat - though famous for hemorrhoids, its cooling-blood logic extends more broadly when heat agitates the vessels.

Secondary Actions

  • Traditional trade sometimes distinguishes Huai Hua from Huai Mi, the more tightly closed flower-bud form, but both belong to the same overall medicinal lineage.
  • It is often charred when the goal is stronger hemostatic effect, which reflects a common TCM processing strategy for stopping bleeding.

Classic Formulas

  • Huai Hua San - the signature formula for intestinal wind and blood in the stool, with Huai Hua as the central cooling-hemostatic herb.
  • Bleeding formulas may combine Huai Hua with Di Yu, Ce Bai Ye, or Jing Jie Tan depending on the bleeding site and pattern.
  • Liver-fire and red-eye combinations may pair Huai Hua with Ju Hua, Xia Ku Cao, or Jue Ming Zi.

Classical References

  • Traditional herbology describes Huai Hua as bitter and cool, entering the Liver and Large Intestine to cool blood, stop bleeding, and clear Liver heat.
  • Its strongest classical identity is hemorrhoidal or intestinal bleeding from heat, which is why it anchors Huai Hua San.
  • The flower-bud form is especially associated with cooling and hemostatic use.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Rutin - the best-known flavonoid associated with vascular and anti-inflammatory effects
  • Quercetin and related flavonoids - supportive compounds in inflammatory and endothelial research
  • Isoflavonoids and phenolic constituents - part of the broader Sophora flower phytochemical profile
  • Polysaccharide and microbiota-active fractions - implicated in some newer gut-focused studies

Studied Effects

  • Sophora japonica flowers and rutin improved murine colitis measures in a 2022 study linked to NF-kB regulation and gut microbiota, which is relevant to Huai Hua's classical lower-tract heat indications (PMID 35691061).
  • Network pharmacology work examined the potential mechanism of Sophora japonica flower buds in contact dermatitis, supporting continuing interest in anti-inflammatory actions beyond bleeding indications (PMID 33493588).
  • A 2010 study on Huaihua and cerebral infarction reflects wider modern pharmacologic interest in vascular and blood-related actions of Sophora japonica flowers (PMID 20875105).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Cold deficiency bleeding without heat
  • Weak digestion with significant loose stools if large cooling doses are used

Cautions

  • Huai Hua is generally well tolerated, but serious unexplained bleeding should be medically evaluated rather than self-treated.
  • Raw and charred forms are not fully interchangeable in traditional use.
  • MSK page not found - drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Drug Interactions

  • Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs - theoretical interaction risk when concentrated extracts are used

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud used for?

Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud is traditionally used to Cools the blood and stops bleeding - Huai Hua is a classic herb for bleeding from heat, especially hemorrhoidal bleeding, intestinal bleeding, and other lower-tract blood loss., Clears Liver fire - it is also used for headache, red eyes, and upward-rising heat signs when the Liver channel is involved., Can be used for uterine and urinary bleeding patterns with heat - though famous for hemorrhoids, its cooling-blood logic extends more broadly when heat agitates the vessels.. Research has investigated its effects on: Sophora japonica flowers and rutin improved murine colitis measures in a 2022 study linked to NF-kB regulation and gut microbiota, which is relevant to Huai Hua's classical lower-tract heat indications (PMID 35691061).; Network pharmacology work examined the potential mechanism of Sophora japonica flower buds in contact dermatitis, supporting continuing interest in anti-inflammatory actions beyond bleeding indications (PMID 33493588)..

What are other names for Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud?

Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud is also known as Sophora. In TCM: 槐花 (Huai Hua); Flos Sophorae.

Is Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud?

Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud should not be used in: Cold deficiency bleeding without heat; Weak digestion with significant loose stools if large cooling doses are used. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud interact with any medications?

Japanese Pagodatree Flower Bud may interact with: Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs - theoretical interaction risk when concentrated extracts are used. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.