Inula japonica, Xuan Fu Hua 旋覆花

Xuan Fu Hua (TCM)
Picture Inula britannica
Barrellier, J., Plantae per Galliam, Hispaniam et Italiam observatae (?)

Picture Inula britannica
(Photo by Repina Tatyana) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Inula spp.
  1. I. japonica
  2. I. britannica (Ou Ya Xuan Fu Hua)
  3. I. hupehensis (Hu Bei Xuan Fu Hua), used in Hubei province
  4. I. helianthus-aquatica (Shui Chao Yang Xuan Fu Hua), used in Yunnan and Guizhou province.

Parts used:


Flower
The whole above-ground herb has similar uses, but is not as strong.

Temperature & Taste:


Slightly Warm, Dry. Bitter, Pungent, Salty

Classification:


P. Clears Cold Phlegm

Uses:


1. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Fluid, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Bronchitis, Wheezing and Asthma from Cold Phlegm or Phlegm-Damp and Fluid obstructing the Lungs
-Cough from Cold and Flu
-mostly for Cold-Phlegm but with suitable herbs it can be used for Hot-Phlegm
-also for Phlegm associated with Food Stagnation

2. Guides Qi Down, Stops Vomiting:
-Nausea, Vomiting
-Hiccough, Belching
-Hypochondriac pain

3. Clears Phlegm, Settles the Heart:
-Palpitations with Anxiety from Phlegm obstructing the Heart (Traditional use)


Dose:


1. Because of its fine filaments, the flower is best put in a cloth bag to decoct, or else strained through a sieve or cloth before drinking.
Decoction: 3–9 grams; the whole herb may be used in doses of 5–9 grams

Preparation:


1. Steamed Flower:
  Traditionally, the flowers were steamed, then dried for use.
2. Honey-Fried Flower:
  Flowers are mixed with 10% by weight of thin Honey, allowed to absorb it a little, then stir-fried until no longer sticky to touch. This is a common method of preparation in modern day use. It lessens its Pungent and Bitter taste, doesn’t injure the Qi, and is also suitable for use in Yin Deficient patients who in general should not use the unprepared herb.

Main Combinations:


1. Cough and Wheezing:
i. from Cold-Phlegm, Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with Pinellia Ban Xia and Asarum Xi Xin
ii. from Hot-Phlegm, Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with Platycodon Jie Geng, Scutellaria Huang Qin, Rhubarb (Da Huang)
iii. Cough with thick, difficult to clear Phlegm, Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with Pumice (Fu Hai Shi)
2. Vomiting:
i. from Cold-Phlegm, Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with Pinellia Ban Xia and fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
ii. from Hot-Phlegm, Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with Coptis Huang Lian
iii. Belching, Hiccough, Vomiting with a white, slippery tongue coat, Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with Hematite (Dai Zhe Shi), Pinellia Ban Xia, Ginseng, fresh Ginger, Honey-fried Licorice, Jujube (Da Zao) (as in Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang)
3. Belching with epigastric discomfort and indigestion:
i. Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with Costus (Mu Xiang) and Atractylodes Bai Zhu.
ii. Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with Betel nut (Bing Lang), Hematite (Dai Zhe Shi) and Pinellia Ban Xia
4. Phlegm associated with Food Stagnation, Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with fresh Ginger and Hawthorn fruit (Shan Zha)
5. Thin mucus obstructing the Hypochondria (with Hyponchondriac distention), Inula japonica Xuan Fu Hua with Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu)

Major Formulas:


Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Xiang Fu Xuan Fu Hua Tang

Cautions:


1. Not used for dry Cough from Yin deficiency
2. Not used in Deficiency with loose stool
3. The flowers may cause contact dermatitis and Itching.
4. Traditional texts regard it as incompatible with Praying Mantis Egg Case (Sang Piao Xiao)

Toxicity:


Overdose causes increased respiration, excitation, tremors, leading to convulsions.

Main Preparations used:



  • Extra Info
  • Research
GENERAL / REVIEW
–A review of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the Flos Inulae.