mu hu die

木蝴蝶·Semen Oroxyli

Indian trumpet flower seed

About mu hu die

Mu Hu Die (木蝴蝶) is the seed of oroxylum, the Indian trumpet flower, recorded as Semen Oroxyli. It is sweet and bland in flavour and cool in temperature, entering the Liver and Lung channels. Its Chinese name reads as wooden butterfly, for the shape of the winged seed.

Names

Pinyin	mu hu die
Chinese	木蝴蝶
Latin Name	Semen Oroxyli
English Name	Indian trumpet flower seed·Indian trumpet flower seed; oroxylum seeds·Oroxylum Seeds
Japanese	mokukocho
Korean	mokhojeop

Classification

Channels: Lung, Liver
Flavour: Sweet, Bland
Temperature: Cool
Part used: Seed
Family: Bignoniaeceae
Species: Oroxylum Indicum
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Moistens the Lungs, stops cough and clears the voice

Hoarse or lost voice, with a dry, sore throat and cough

Soothes the Liver and regulates Qi

Qi stagnation causing pain in the flanks and epigastrium

Heals ulcerated, suppurating sores

Suppurating sores from Damp-Heat in the skin, applied topically or taken internally

Combinations

pang da hai + chan tui
Dry cough and hoarseness with a sore, swollen throat
xiang fu + chuan lian zi
Qi stagnating in the Liver and Stomach, with pain

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any 1.5-10g; Tincture: 1-3g	1.5-10 g	—	1-3 ml	—	—

Cautions

caution Loss of voice from Wind-Cold; a cool, moistening seed can hold an acute exterior pathogen in place
caution Loose stools or a cold, deficient Spleen, particularly over a long course
caution Hoarseness beyond about three weeks, or with painful swallowing, a sensation of a lump, weight loss, coughing blood or difficult breathing, needs medical assessment
pregnancy In pregnancy, confirm use with a qualified practitioner
caution Toxicology data on the seed are thin, so long-term daily use should be confirmed with a practitioner