Pú Huáng (蒲黄) — Typha Pollen

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Modern research
5. Incompatibilities
6. Cautions and contraindications
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Pú Huáng (蒲黄) is the pollen of Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail). It belongs to the category of Herbs that stop bleeding in the Chinese Materia Medica but has a dual nature characteristic of Chinese herbal medicine: raw, it invigorates the Blood; charred (Pú Huáng Tàn), it stops bleeding. It is particularly suited to bleeding patterns with underlying Blood stasis.

I prescribe Pú Huáng as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Stops bleeding (when charred) without causing stasis
2. Invigorates the Blood and dispels stasis (when raw)
3. Promotes urination and reduces oedema

Indications

1. Internal and external bleeding, especially when caused by Blood stasis: haematuria, haematemesis, epistaxis, traumatic bleeding
2. Uterine bleeding and heavy menstrual bleeding with clots and stasis
3. Postpartum abdominal pain from Blood stasis
4. Painful urination with blood (Damp-Heat with stasis)

4. Modern research

Typha pollen contains flavonoids (typhaneoside, isorhamnetin glycosides), polysaccharides and amino acids. Studies report procoagulant activity in charred preparations, vasodilation and lipid-lowering effects in raw preparations, and uterine stimulation. Modern Chinese cardiology uses Pú Huáng-Wǔ Líng Zhī formulas for angina pectoris with Blood stasis.

5. Incompatibilities

Pú Huáng (蒲黄) Typha Pollen is not listed in either of the two classical incompatibility texts — Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) or Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions). As with every Chinese herb it should be prescribed only as part of a balanced formula by a registered Chinese herbalist (RCHM), who will check for interactions with any other herbs and prescription medications you are taking.

6. Cautions and contraindications

Contraindicated in pregnancy because of uterine stimulation. Use the raw form cautiously in heavy bleeding without stasis; use the charred form when haemostasis is the priority.

Pattern contraindications

Use the correct sub-type for the bleeding pattern — warming forms (e.g. Ai Ye) are for cold-pattern bleeding; cooling forms (e.g. Bai Mao Gen, Han Lian Cao, Ce Bai Ye) are for heat-pattern bleeding. Misapplied, they can worsen the underlying imbalance.

Modern drug interactions

Tell your GP if you are taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medication — the interaction is variable (some stop-bleeding herbs also modulate platelets bidirectionally, e.g. San Qi).

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

7. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Pú Huáng as part of tailored herbal formulas for heavy menstrual bleeding with clots, postpartum lochia with stasis, mild angina with Blood-stasis features, and selected bleeding patterns where stasis underlies the bleed. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.

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