Mu Hu Die
StarOroxylum indicum (L.) Vent.
☯ TCM Properties
Clears the Lungs and Benefits the Throat; Harmonizes the Liver and Stomach; Stops Cough; Benefits the Throat and Restores the Voice; Promotes Tissue Regeneration and Heals Sores
Traditional Chinese Uses
Mu Hu Die (oroxylum seed, tree of damocles seed) is a cool, sweet-bitter herb used in Chinese medicine to nourish Lung Yin, relieve cough, soothe the throat, and clear Heat. It is used for Lung Yin deficiency with dry cough, a raw or sore throat, and hoarseness. When combined with honey, it is a classic home remedy for throat irritation and voice strain. It also settles the Liver and Kidney for mild deficiency patterns with dizziness and blurred vision.
Botanical Description
Oroxylum indicum, the Indian trumpet flower or midnight horror, is a medium-sized deciduous tree of the family Bignoniaceae, reaching 8 to 12 meters, native to deciduous and subtropical forests across India, southern China, and Southeast Asia. Its trunk is straight with grayish, soft, corky bark. The very large, two- or three-pinnately compound leaves are clustered near the branch tips, lending a sparse, almost palm-like silhouette. Long, erect terminal racemes bear large, fleshy, fetid bell-shaped flowers with a dark reddish-purple to brownish corolla, opening at night and pollinated by bats. The pendulous, sword-shaped seed pods can reach 0.5 to 1 meter long and split open to release stacks of large, broadly winged, papery seeds with a thin straw-yellow membrane surrounding a small central seed body; these winged seeds are Mu Hu Die.
Active Constituents
Baicalein
Flavone (aglycone)Concentration: Major seed flavonoid
A principal bioactive of Semen Oroxyli with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory (12/15-lipoxygenase inhibition), antimicrobial and anti-cancer activity; supports the herb's traditional Lung-clearing and throat-soothing actions.
Chrysin
Flavone (aglycone)Concentration: Major seed flavonoid
Anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant flavone that also inhibits aromatase; contributes to the anti-inflammatory and mucosal-protective effects of the seed.
Oroxylin A
Flavone (6-methoxy flavone)Concentration: Characteristic constituent of Oroxylum
Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory flavone (a GABAA modulator) identified as one of the most potent constituents in pharmacological screens; implicated in the cognitive effects of standardised extracts.
Baicalein-7-O-glucoside (oroxin A / tetuin)
Flavone glycosideConcentration: Abundant seed glycoside
A water-soluble glycoside of baicalein that acts as a bioavailable pro-form and antioxidant, hydrolysed by gut flora to release the active aglycone.
Baicalein-7-O-diglucoside (oroxin B)
Flavone diglycosideConcentration: Abundant seed glycoside
A major polar flavonoid of the seed with antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activity reported in experimental models.
Scutellarein
FlavoneConcentration: Minor seed flavonoid
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavone that adds to the overall free-radical-scavenging capacity of the seed extract.
Ellagic acid
Polyphenol (dilactone)Concentration: Minor constituent
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenol contributing to tissue-protective and wound-healing properties.
Aloe-emodin
AnthraquinoneConcentration: Trace constituent
An anthraquinone with mild laxative, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity found in Oroxylum tissues.
⚠ Drug Interactions
CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., simvastatin, midazolam)
Baicalein and related flavones inhibit CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein in vitro and in rodents (e.g., increased simvastatin exposure), so concentrated Oroxylum flavonoids could raise levels of drugs cleared by this pathway.
Clinical note: Evidence is chiefly preclinical; use caution and monitor for enhanced effects/toxicity when high-dose extracts accompany narrow-therapeutic-index CYP3A4 substrates.
Drugs eliminated by UGT glucuronidation / OATP transport (e.g., statins such as rosuvastatin)
Baicalein undergoes and competes for extensive UGT glucuronidation and can modulate OATP uptake transporters, potentially altering the pharmacokinetics of co-administered substrates.
Clinical note: Clinically significant interactions have not been confirmed for Oroxylum specifically; separate dosing and monitor if combined with affected drugs.
Anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs
Flavones such as baicalein and chrysin can inhibit platelet function in vitro; an additive antithrombotic effect is possible but unproven in humans.
Clinical note: Monitor for bleeding signs when high-dose seed extracts are used with anticoagulants.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Preparation Methods
Decoction
Parts: Seeds
Decoct the thin papery seeds (typical range 1.5-3 g, up to ~6 g) in water to clear Lung-Heat, soothe the throat, restore the voice and stop cough; often combined with throat-clearing herbs for hoarseness.
Powder
Parts: Seeds
Grind dried seeds to a fine powder for direct dosing or encapsulation, used for chronic cough, sore throat and to promote healing of mouth and throat sores.
Medicinal infusion / lozenge base
Parts: Seeds
Steep the seeds as a throat-soothing infusion or incorporate into lozenge preparations to benefit the throat and voice, harmonising the Liver and Stomach.
Clinical Studies
Effects of an Oroxylum indicum Extract (Sabroxy) on Cognitive Function in Adults With Self-reported Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Adults with self-reported mild cognitive impairment took a standardised Oroxylum indicum bark extract 500 mg twice daily or placebo for 12 weeks. The extract group showed greater improvements in episodic and working memory. It was generally well tolerated, with a slightly higher rate of mild digestive complaints and headaches and no serious adverse events.
Historical Texts
Dian Nan Bencao (Southern Yunnan Materia Medica), Lan Mao
Ming dynasty (15th century)Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica), Zhao Xuemin
Qing dynasty (1765 CE)References
- Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Majeed M, Drummond PD. Effects of an Oroxylum indicum Extract (Sabroxy) on Cognitive Function in Adults With Self-reported Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study . Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (2021) [DOI]
- Dinda B, Silsarma I, Dinda M, Rudrapaul P. Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, an important Asian traditional medicine: from traditional uses to scientific data for its commercial exploitation . Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2015) [DOI]
- Deka DC, Kumar V, Prasad C, et al.. Oroxylum indicum - a medicinal plant of North East India: An overview of its nutritional, remedial, and prophylactic properties . Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science (2013) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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