Red Silk-Cotton Flower Whole (Bombax Ceiba)

Red Silk-Cotton Flower Whole (Bombax ceiba) is the dried blossom of the majestic silk-cotton tree, long treasured in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and Southeast Asian herbal traditions for its cooling, detoxifying, and restorative properties. Known in TCM as Mu Mian Hua, this striking red flower has been used for centuries as both a culinary and medicinal ingredient, valued for its ability to clear heat, dispel dampness, and support digestive and liver health.

In traditional practice, Red Silk-Cotton Flower is regarded as neutral to slightly cool, with a sweet and astringent flavor. It is used to relieve summer heat, reduce inflammation, and harmonize the stomach and intestines. Common applications include treating diarrhea, dysentery, and heat-induced digestive imbalances, as well as supporting recovery after illness. In folk herbalism, it is often brewed into cleansing teas and soups to promote internal cooling and detoxification.

In Ayurveda and regional traditions, Bombax ceiba is considered a rejuvenating and purifying herb, used to strengthen the body, cool pitta (heat), and promote clear skin and urinary balance.

Modern research has identified flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolic compounds in the flowers, which contribute to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. These bioactive components help explain the flower’s reputation as a natural tonic and digestive soother.

Each batch of Red Silk-Cotton Flower Whole (Bombax ceiba) is carefully harvested and sun-dried to preserve its vivid color, delicate aroma, and therapeutic compounds. When steeped, the blossoms produce a golden-red, mildly floral infusion used in teas, soups, and detoxifying herbal blends.