Huai Hua San — Sophora Flower Powder

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Huai Hua San — the “Sophora Flower Powder” — is from the Song-dynasty Pu Ji Ben Shi Fang. It treats bright red rectal bleeding from Wind-Heat in the Large Intestine — the classical TCM pattern called “intestinal Wind” (chang feng). Huai Hua (sophora flower) is the chief herb for cooling Blood and stopping bleeding in the lower burner, paired with Ce Bai Ye for the same action. Jing Jie Sui addresses the “Wind” aspect (intermittent unpredictable bleeding) and Zhi Ke regulates Qi to relieve the haemorrhoidal congestion.

I prescribe Huai Hua San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Huai Hua San is prescribed for Wind-Heat with Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine causing bleeding:

• Bright red blood with or just after bowel movement
• Blood may be on toilet paper, in toilet bowl, or coating stool
• Anal discomfort, possible itch or burning
• Possibly haemorrhoids
• Constipation or alternating bowels
• Tongue — red, yellow coat
• Pulse — rapid, possibly wiry

Key herbs

1. Huai Hua (sophora flower) — chief; cools Blood in the lower burner; stops bleeding
2. Ce Bai Ye (biota leaf) — cools Blood; stops bleeding
3. Jing Jie Sui (charred schizonepeta flower) — releases Wind; stops bleeding
4. Zhi Ke — regulates Qi; reduces haemorrhoidal congestion

Formula actions

1. Cools Blood and stops intestinal bleeding
2. Disperses Wind from the lower burner
3. Regulates Qi and reduces haemorrhoidal congestion

Conditions treated

1. Bleeding internal haemorrhoids with bright red blood
2. Anal fissure with bright red bleeding
3. Ulcerative colitis flare with bright red bleeding and Heat pattern — see ulcerative colitis
4. Diverticular bleeding with Heat pattern (with medical investigation)
5. Bleeding from rectal polyps (always investigated before treatment)
6. Post-haemorrhoidectomy bleeding

Cautions

Rectal bleeding always requires medical investigation to exclude bowel cancer, IBD or other serious pathology — especially in patients over 45, with weight loss, change in bowel habit, dark or mixed-in blood, family history of bowel cancer, or persistent symptoms.

Not appropriate for cold-deficient or Yang-deficient bleeding (dark or dull-coloured blood, cold extremities, pale tongue) — use Huang Tu Tang or Tao Hua Tang.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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