Hong/Jing Da Ji - 红大戟 - Radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix Euphorbiae seu Knoxiae
Common English:	Caper Spurge Seed Euphorbia Knoxia Euphorbia Root Knoxia Root

Category

Downward Draining Herbs (Laxatives): Harsh Cathartics

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Bitter Acrid	Cold Slightly Toxic Toxic (Extremely Toxic)	Kidney Large Intestine Spleen (Lung)	1-3g Powder: 0.5-1g Tincture: 0-1.5ml

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Drains water downward and drives out thin mucus	Relatively moderate accumulation of Fluids in the chest and flanks with labored breathing, dull pain in the lateral aspect of the chest, expectoration of thick sputum and a thick, greasy tongue coat For very severe conditions, use Jing Da Ji
Reduces swelling and dissipates nodules	Topically for red, swollen, painful and toxic sores or scrofula

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Rx. Aucklandiae Mu Xiang	Sm. Pharbitidis Qian Niu Zi	Rx. Kansui Gan Sui Sm. Sinapis Bai Jie Zi
Water accumulation in the chest and abdomen with urinary difficulty	Ascites	Phlegm above and below the diaphragm with sudden, excruciating pain in the trunk and neck
Roasted Rz. Zingiberis Gan Jiang	Fr. Jujube Da Zao
Ascites, abdominal distention and urinary dysfunction	Edema and distended abdomen (cook together and eat)

Notes

1. In the past, Da Ji meant Jing Da Ji; because of the latter's severe toxicity, however, Hong Da Ji is now the one commonly used.
2. Hong Da Ji is stronger at reducing swelling and nodules.
3. Jing Dai Ji dispels water more strongly.
4. It forcefully attacks accumulations of pathogenic water and thin mucus, driving them downward and out through the rectum.
5. For Liver cirrhosis, it can be used on its own as a decoction or powder.
6. It is indicated when Fluid and Phlegm have accumulated in the body.
7. Da Ji, Rx. Kansui Gan Sui, and Flos Genkwa Yuan Hua are all strong, harsh expellants used for severe edema and for accumulations in the chest and abdomen. Each is toxic and should be used only briefly. They are frequently combined to increase the effect. Da Ji drains water and Dampness within the organs. Gan Sui can move water and Dampness in the channels and collaterals, while Yuan Hua tends to drain Phlegm and thin mucus in the chest and Lungs. All three are markedly toxic, Hong Da Ji in particular, and none of them should be given to weak patients.
8. Vinegar Euphorbia Cu Da Ji is less toxic and has a weaker water-expelling action. Its abilities to reduce focal distention and to expel accumulation are both enhanced.
9. Hong Da Ji (Knoxiae Radix) is considered slightly toxic.