The poinsettia has become a flower associated all over the world with the Christmas holiday season. Today in Mexico and Guatemala it is called Flor de Noche Buena, meaning Christmas Eve Flower. In Chile and Peru, it is known as Crown of the Andes. In Hungarian, it is called Santa Claus’ Flower. In Mexico, the plants have been associated with Christmas since the 16th century, where legends tell the story of a poor girl who wanted to gift the baby Jesus at Christmas and was inspired by an angel to gather weeds by the roadside and place them on the church’s alter, where they blossomed into poinsettias. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and the red color, the blood sacrifice during the crucifixion of Jesus. Almost all of the poinsettia can be used medicinally. It is most especially used to treat asthma and bronchial disorders.

Discover Poinsettia (Da Ji) and other herbs by visiting our Herb Directory.