Ling Xiao Hua

Ling Xiao Hua (凌霄花) is the dried flower of Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) K. Schum. and, in some pharmacopoeial editions, Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. (Bignoniaceae) — woody climbing vines reaching 5–10 m by means of aerial rootlets, with opposite, pinnate leaves of 7–11 ovate, coarsely toothed leaflets. In summer they bear striking pendulous panicles of large funnel-shaped flowers 5–8 cm long, with five flaring orange to red-orange lobes and a yellowish throat marked with darker veins, much visited by sunbirds and hummingbirds in their respective ranges. The fully opened flowers are picked at peak bloom, sun-dried, and used to invigorate the blood, cool the blood, and dispel wind. Recorded indications include irregular menstruation, climacteric heat, and certain pruritic skin conditions.