Yue Ji Hua 月季花 — Chinese Herbal Medicine

Yue Ji Hua (月季花) At a Glance

• Herb: Yue Ji Hua
• Chinese name: 月季花 (Yue Ji Hua)
• Latin name: Flos Rosae Chinensis
• Nature: Warm
• Taste: Sweet
• Meridian: Liver
• Category: Promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation

Yue Ji Hua, the flower of the Chinese rose (Rosa chinensis), is a warm, sweet-natured herb that enters the Liver channel to invigorate blood circulation and dispel stasis. It is most commonly employed for gynecological disorders rooted in blood stagnation, including irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and painful periods. Beyond its uterine actions, Yue Ji Hua also soothes constrained Liver Qi and softens nodules associated with phlegm-blood accumulation.

Actions & Therapeutic Effects

• Activates blood and resolves stasis
• Regulates menstruation and alleviates dysmenorrhea
• Moves Liver Qi and relieves constraint
• Softens hardness and dissipates nodules
• Reduces swelling and alleviates pain from traumatic injury

Clinical Applications in TCM

• Menstrual irregularity and dysmenorrhea due to Liver blood stasis — combine with Hong Hua, Yi Mu Cao, and Chuan Xiong
• Amenorrhea with lower abdominal pain and dark clotted discharge — pair with Tao Ren and Dan Shen
• Premenstrual chest and hypochondriac distension from Liver Qi stagnation — use with Chai Hu and Xiang Fu
• Scrofula and subcutaneous nodules from phlegm-blood accumulation — combine with Xia Ku Cao and Zhe Bei Mu
• Swelling and pain from traumatic injury — apply topically as a fresh poultice or decoct with San Qi

Precautions & Safety

• Standard dosage: 3–6 g in decoction; 1.5–3 g as powder; do not overdose as excess may irritate the gastric mucosa
• Contraindicated during pregnancy due to strong blood-moving action
• Use with caution in patients with profuse menstruation or blood deficiency without stasis
• Long-term continuous use is discouraged; cycle with rest periods

Classical TCM Formulas

• Yue Ji Hua Cha (月季花茶): Yue Ji Hua steeped as tea — for mild dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularity.
• Yue Ji Hua decoction + Dang Gui + Chuan Xiong — for Blood-stasis dysmenorrhea.
• Yue Ji Hua is a mild, fragrant Blood-regulating herb suitable for mild, chronic menstrual disorders.

Herb Combinations

• Yue Ji Hua (月季花) + Dang Gui (当归) + Chuan Xiong (川芎): invigorates Blood and regulates menstruation for irregular menstruation from Blood stasis.
• Yue Ji Hua (月季花) + Yi Mu Cao (益母草) + Xiang Fu (香附): regulates menstruation and alleviates dysmenorrhea.
• Yue Ji Hua (月季花) + Dan Shen (丹参) + Hong Hua (红花): activates Blood and unblocks menses for amenorrhea from stasis.

Pharmacology & Research

Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol): anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mild estrogenic activity supporting menstrual regulation.
Essential oils (geraniol, citronellol): analgesic and smooth-muscle relaxant effects relevant to dysmenorrhea relief.
Tannins: antimicrobial and astringent; contribute to topical wound-healing and anti-swelling actions.
Anthocyanins: antioxidant and capillary-protective; may support vascular health underlying blood-stasis patterns.

Classical Descriptions

• “月季花味甘，性温，活血调经，消肿解毒。” — *Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi* (本草纲目拾遗), Zhao Xuemin, Qing dynasty