Gu Zhi Hua – Oroxylum Seed – Semen Oroxyli

Gu Zhi Hua

English Name: oroxylum, broken-bones tree (fruit)

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Oroxyli

Medica Category: Cough- and Wheezing- Relieving Herbs

Properties: Gua Zhi Hua enters the Liver and Lung channels; it is sweet and bland in nature and cool in temperature.

What is Gua Zhi Hua?:

The Chinese Herb Gu Zhi Hua is the dried seed that comes from Oroxylum indicum (or the broken-bones tree), which is a medium-sized (10-12 ft. high) deciduous tree native to India. It produces bell-shaped, purple flowers on a long stalk that are raised above the foliage and long, flat seed pods that hang down like swords. Within these seed pods are contained flat, papery seeds that are a couple inches long. It is these seeds that are collected and dried for use as medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Gua Zhi Hua:

Gua Zhi Hua moistens the Lung, relieves cough, and restores the voice when these presentations are the result of heat and dryness. It is often combined with Pang Da Hai (malva fruit) and made into tea for this purpose).