Homiclub

Tangaek — Decoctions · Grains

花 Hwa (화)

The flower of the red bean, better known as the adzuki bean. In the Dongui Bogam, this entry appears in the Grains section (gokbu, 穀部) as a sub-entry attached to the adzuki bean itself (jeoksodu, 赤小豆), and the original text also records an alternate name for the flower: bubi (腐婢). The text preserves a note on preparation as well: the flowers are picked in the seventh month of the traditional lunar calendar and dried in the shade — a gentle drying method traditionally used for delicate plant parts — before use.

The adzuki flower itself is a small, yellow, butterfly-shaped blossom that blooms in summer. On a single plant, the flowers open one after another over the course of several days.

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 1

  1. 性平, 味辛, 無毒. 治宿酒渴病. 《本草》

    Its nature is neutral, its taste pungent, and it is non-toxic. It treats the thirst disorder left by stale wine. 《Boncho (本草)》

    HomiclubThe adzuki flower is small, yellow, and butterfly-shaped, opening in summer. A single plant blooms in succession over several days, so flowers and pods appear on it at the same time.

  2. 止消渴, 病酒頭痛, 能消酒毒, 主酒病爲良. 《本草》

    It stops sogal (消渴, wasting thirst), serves for headache from drinking, can dissolve the toxicity of wine, and is good for governing disorders caused by wine. 《Boncho (本草)》

  3. 一名腐婢, 卽赤小豆花也. 七月採, 陰乾用. 《本草》

    It is also called bubi (腐婢), that is, the flower of jeoksodu. Gather it in the seventh month and dry it in the shade for use. 《Boncho (本草)》

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This is a cultural and historical record from a classical text, not a claim about any food’s effects. Nothing here is a health supplement or intended to prevent or treat disease. Consult a medical professional about health concerns. · Text: Korean Medicine Classics DB · Reading: Homiclub