Osmanthus, Gui Hua 桂花

Gui Hua (TCM)
Vasuka, Buka (Ayurveda)

Osmanthus fragrans
Duhamel du Monceau, H.L., Traité des arbres et arbustes,
Nouvelle édition [Nouveau Duhamel] (1812)

Osmanthus flowers
Photo by Rudolphous (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Osmanthus fragrans (syn. Olea fragrans), Osmanthus fragrans Lour, var. aurantiacus  
O. suavis is used as a variety of Vasuka in India.

Parts used:
Flower

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent, Sweet

Uses:
1. Warms the Lungs, Clears Cold Phlegm:
-Cough and Asthma from Cold-Phlegm

2. Warms the Stomach, Clears Cold:
-Cold pain of the Stomach and Abdomen
-Gastritis

3. Moves the Qi, Relieves Pain:
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-Liver Qi stagnation with mild anxiety, pain and distention
-Abdominal and hypochondriac distention, Gastric Ulcer with mild pain and discomfort
-Amnesia, Insomnia, Palpitation

4. Warms the Kidneys:
-Lumbago
-Arthritis and Rheumatism
-it has a mild effect

5. Externally:
-mouthwash for bad breath and Toothache
-used in cosmetic preparations for hair and skin
-Insect repellent

DOSE:
Used in food, sweets, tea, porrige, wine etc.
Medicinally, usually prepared as an infusion or added to wine.
Powder: 500mg–1 gram
In Infusion: 1 teaspoonful in infusion

COMMENT:
1. In ancient times, Osmanthus wine was regarded as a longevity tonic, and was used in worship.
2. Especially regarded as beneficial for women where Osmanthus wine has been known in China as "women's happiness wine".

Main Combinations:
1. Flower Tea for women, to move Qi, promote a happy and relaxed disposition, and clear the skin, Osmanthus flower with Chrysanthemum flower, Rose flower, Jasmine flower, Lycium Gou Qi Zi ('Goji berries')
2. Mild menstrual cramping and pain from Cold and Qi stagnation:
i. Osmanthus flower with Jasmine flower as an infusion
ii. Osmanthus flower with Cinnamon and Saffron
iii. Osmanthus flower with Rose flower, Safflower, Dang Gui
3. Amnesia, Insomnia, Palpitation, Osmanthus flower with Longan fruit (Long Yan Rou) added to spirit as a tincture or herbal wine.
4. Abdominal pain and distention from coldness and Qi stagnation, Osmanthus flower with Citrus Chen Pi, Fennel seed, Galangal, Costus, Licorice
5. Heart and Spleen Qi deficiency with fatigue, insomnia, pale face, Osmanthus flower with Codonopsis Dang Shen, Poria Fu Ling, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Longan fruit (Long Yan Rou),

Major Formulas:

Cautions:
None noted

Main Preparations used:
Osmanthus Wine
  Osmanthus flower                60 grams
  White Spirit (Vodka etc.)     500 mls
Soak for 15 days and strain. Dose: 30mls twice daily.