Egg Flower (Plumeria rubra): Efficacy and Functions
May 19, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
It possesses heat-clearing, detoxifying, lung-moistening, and cough-suppressing effects, and is used to treat conditions such as pharyngitis and sore throat. Plumeria rubra (frangipani), known locally in Guangdong Province as “Egg Flower,” is a renowned traditional herbal tea and one of the “Five Flowers” in Wu Hua Cha (Five-Flower Tea). Residents of Guangdong dry the white flowers to prepare a refreshing herbal tea beverage, which is highly popular. When dried, the flowers are also used in traditional Chinese medicine for their heat-clearing, detoxifying, lung-moistening, and cough-suppressing properties, particularly in the treatment of pharyngitis and sore throat.
The egg laid by chickens has a hard outer shell and contains an air cell, albumen (egg white), and yolk inside. Rich in cholesterol and highly nutritious, it is one of the most commonly consumed foods worldwide. Then, what are the medicinal properties and therapeutic effects of Plumeria rubra (commonly known as “Egg Flower” or “Temple Tree”)?
Medicinal Properties and Therapeutic Effects of Plumeria rubra
Plumeria rubra possesses heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, moistens the lungs, and alleviates coughing. It is traditionally used to treat pharyngitis and sore throat. In Guangdong Province, Plumeria rubra is a renowned ingredient in herbal “cooling teas” (liang cha) and constitutes one of the five flowers in the classic “Wu Hua Cha” (Five-Flower Tea). Locals dry the white flowers to prepare cooling tea beverages—a practice widely favored across the region. When dried, Plumeria rubra serves as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with heat-clearing, detoxifying, lung-moistening, and cough-suppressing effects, particularly beneficial for treating pharyngitis and sore throat. It may also be combined with other herbs to treat summer-associated dysentery or abdominal pain caused by cold exposure. Additionally, it helps alleviate autumn-onset coughs, promoting expectoration and clearing lung heat.
According to the classical pharmacopeia *Lingnan Caoyao Lu* (*A Record of Medicinal Plants from Lingnan*), Plumeria rubra effectively clears damp-heat-induced dysentery accompanied by tenesmus (a sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation). It also moistens the lungs and detoxifies. Both the flowers and bark of the plant are used medicinally to achieve heat-clearing, detoxification, lung-moistening, and cough-relieving effects. Clinical reports indicate that the leaves of Plumeria rubra may also be employed in managing skin disorders associated with HIV infection or induced by anticancer drugs and radiotherapy.
For oral administration, dried Plumeria rubra flowers may be steeped in boiling water after stirring, or boiled directly in a pot before consumption. We hope this information proves helpful!
