Japanese Thistle Root (Da Ji)

大薊

Peking spurge root (Daji)

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Euphorbiae seu Knoxiae

Botanical Name: 1. Euphorbia pekinesis Rupr.. 2. Knoxia valerianoides Thorel et Pitard

Common Name: Euphorbia root, Peking spurge root

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used: The roots are dug in autumn or spring. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are cleaned and dried in the sun, and then they are soaked in vinegar.

Natural Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent, cold and poisonous

Meridians: Lung, kidney and large intestine

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To transform water and reduce edema.

2. To disperse nodules and relieve swelling.

Indications:
1. Edema of the face and the body, retention of fluid in the chest and ascites. Peking spurge root (Daji) is used with Jujube (Dazao), Kansui root (Gansui) and Genkwa flower (Yuanhua) in the formula Shizao Tang.

2. Boils, carbuncles, scrofula and subcutaneous nodules. Peking spurge root (Daji) is used with Pleione rhizome (Shancigu) and Moleplant seed (Qianjinzi) for internal and external use in the formula Zijin Ding.

Dosage: 1.5-3 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb should not be mixed with Licorice root (Gancao), and it is contraindicated during pregnancy.