Ingredient Name:  Mu Mian Hua, Gossampinus malabarica flower, Kapok

Traditional Chinese Name: 木棉花  (mu mian hua)

What is this?

• A large, pretty flower which is harvested at full bloom (during the Spring) and then dried to preserve for easy use
• These flowers can be found on the tops of large cotton trees (which grow 12 – 15 metres in height) and are native to Australia and South East Asia

How do I prepare it?

• Rinse before use and put directly into your soup.

Where can I buy this?

This can be found in most Asian herb shops and some asian supermarkets.

What is the cost?

• 2-3 flowers (which can be used in one large pot of soup with 2-3L of water) costs under $2 CAD.

Any benefits?

• A diuretic (good for kidneys)
• Promotes blood circulation, reduces swelling
• May also help with chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, diarrhea, dysentery, sores, and bruises
• Used by some to treat hypertension, diabetes, migraine, kidney stones, asthma, slimming, back ache, libido

Any precautions?

• As with most diuretic herbs, maintain proper hydration when using and avoid long-term use

Resources

• http://www.mspp.net.my/MSPP20thMeetingAbstractContent.pdf
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus_tiliaceus