Mei Gui Hua
Rosa rugosa Thunb.
☯ TCM Properties
Courses the Liver and Resolves Constraint; Harmonizes the Blood and disperses stasis; Regulates menstruation; Harmonizes the Liver and Stomach; Alleviates Pain
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Rosa rugosa Thunb. (Rosaceae) is a vigorous, suckering, deciduous shrub typically reaching 1 to 1.5 meters tall and forming dense thickets through creeping rhizomes. Stems are erect, densely covered with straight, slender prickles and shorter bristles. The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound with five to nine elliptic to obovate leaflets 2 to 5 cm long, each strongly rugose with deeply impressed veins on the dark green upper surface and a paler, somewhat downy underside; the margins are sharply serrate. Flowers are borne singly or in small clusters at the ends of short shoots and are 6 to 9 cm across, with five (rarely more) broad, slightly cupped petals in shades of magenta-pink to white surrounding many yellow stamens and a strong, clove-like fragrance. The hip is a flattened-globose, glossy red-orange achene-bearing fruit 2 to 3 cm across. Cultivated buds and just-opened flowers are picked in spring and shade-dried as Mei Gui Hua.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Mei Gui Hua (rose flower) is a mild, aromatic herb with a particular ability to move Liver Qi stagnation and harmonize the Blood without being harsh or drying. It is used for emotional depression, irritability, and premenstrual discomfort — including breast tenderness, mood changes, and irregular menstruation — that arise when Liver Qi fails to flow freely. As both a medicinal herb and a culinary ingredient, it is one of the most accessible and pleasant herbs in the Chinese materia medica.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.