Introduction of Mei Hua:Plum Flower or Flos Mume.

TCM Herbalism:Medicinals and Classifications. ✵The article gives records of the herb Plum Flower, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Plum Flower, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.

Flos Mume(Plum Flower).

dried yellowish herb flowers of Flos Mume Pin Yin Name: Méi Huā.
 English Name: Plum Flower.
 Latin Name: Flos Mume.
 Property and flavor: cool,bitter,slightly sweet,slightly sour.

 Brief introduction: The herb Flos Mume is the dried flower-bud of Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc., used to regulate Qi, ease the mind, and resolve phlegm for treating depression, fidgetiness, hypochondriac, and epigastric pain, and globus hystericus. The herb is commonly known as Flos Mume, Plum Flower, Méi Huā.

 pinkish flowers and buds of Prunus mume Sieb.Zieb.et Zucc. Botanical source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Flos Mume (Plum Flower) as the dried flower-bud of the species (1).Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc. It is a plant of the Armeniaca Mill. Genus, the Rosaceae family (rose family) of the Rosales order. This commonly defined species is introduced:

(1).Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.


 many pinkish flowers of Prunus mume Sieb.Zieb.et Zucc.grow on branches Botanical description: Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc is also known as Armeniaca mume Sieb., the tree is commonly known as Méi. Plum is a deciduous tree, it grows up to 4~10 meters high; Bark is taupe brown (grayish brown) or greenish, smooth; Branchlets are green, smooth, and glabrous, thin and long, apex is acanthous (spinous). Simple leaves are alternate; Petioles are 1.5 cm long, pubescent; stipule (peraphyllum) is caducous; leaf blades are elliptic broad-ovate, flowering before leaves in spring, has aroma, 1~3 flowers cluster in leaf axil on biennial lateral branches.

 several pink flowers of Prunus mume Sieb.Zieb.et Zucc. grow on branches Pedicels (flower stalks) are usually brunneus (russet), but the calyx of some species is green or greenish-purple; 5 flower petals, white or faint red (rosiness), about 1.5 cm in diameter, broadly obovate; many stamens.

 Fruits are subsphaeroidal (near-spherical), 2~3 cm in diameter, yellow or greenish white, and pubescent; the fruit core is circular (rounded), the front end has small protruding tips, ventral surface and rib on the back surface has grooves, the surface has honeycomb structure cavity. Its flowering period is in winter and spring, the fruiting period is from May to June.

 Ecological environment: The tree is cultivated in many areas of China, and mostly in the south area of the Yangtze river basin.

 flowering branch of Prunus mume Sieb.Zieb.et Zucc. with several pink flowers Growth characteristics: Prunus mume has strong adaptability, it is tolerant to coldness. It likes warm and moist climate, and need sufficient sunlight, temperature in the flowering phase has a great big influence on its yield, when the temperature lowers to -5~-6 °C (Celsius, or 23~21.2 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher than 20 °C (Celsius, or 68 degrees Fahrenheit) the fruition rate is markedly affected, the area with annual mean air temperature 16~23 °C (Celsius, or 60.8~73.4 degrees Fahrenheit), average yearly precipitation (average annual rainfall) is over 1,000 mm is most suitable for cultivation. Its soil requirement is not strict, it is appropriate to choose fields with deep soil layers, loose and fertile, sandy loam with good drainage for cultivation. The plant is afraid of water logging and tolerant to drought, it is not appropriate to choose low-lying land and moist soil for cultivation.

 dried greenish yellow flowers of Plum Flower are piled together Characters of herbs: The dried flower buds are subsphaeroidal (near-spherical), 3~6 mm in diameter, and have very short pedicels. Bracts are in several layers, scaly, 3.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, dark brown, with short hairs. 5 sepals (calyx lobes), broadly ovate, about 4 mm in diameter, celadon (sage green) or brown, piliferous. 5 flower petals or many, broadly oval, about 4 mm long, about 5.5 mm wide, yellowish-white. Many stamens, 1 pistil, the ovary inserted in the sunken receptacle, and the surface is densely puberulose (puberulent). The herb is light, has a faint scent, and the herb tastes slightly bitter, and puckery.

 Medicinal efficacy: Expelling stagnation and regulating the middle energizer, stimulate one's appetite and promote the secretion of saliva or body fluid, reduce phlegm, detoxification. It is indicated for depression and vexation, stomachache due to emotional depression and the hyperactive liver-Qi attacking the stomach, globus hysteriocus, scrofula (lymphoid tuberculosis), skin ulcer sores and poison, etc.

 Administration of Flos Mume (Méi Huā): 
 
Reference: Administration Guide of Flos Mume (Méi Huā)
TCM Books: ①.Internally: 3~5 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 2~6 grams, or prepared to pill, powder. Externally:mashed fresh herb and apply stick.

 

 
  

 

 QR codeURL QR code:
 URL QR-code 

 
References:
  • 1.Introduction of Mei Hua:Plum Flower or Flos Mume.

 Last edit and latest revision date:
   cool hit counter