Learn About Chinese Herbs -Da Ji (Radix Euphorbiae Pekinensis)-
This product is a more commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, and in "Shennong's Materia Medica 《神农本草经》"， it is listed as the lowest grade. There are several sources of Euphorbia, and the most widely used varieties on the market at present are Rubiaceae red bud Euphorbia, followed by leguminous Euphorbia grass. These two types are commonly used in the Beijing-Tianjin region. In addition, there are some areas where Euphorbiaceae is used to use the Euphorbiaceae plant.
1. Hong Ya Da Ji (Red Bud Euphorbia)
Aliases: Red Euphorbia, Daji.
Source: Knoxia corymbosa Willd. of the dried roots, all wild.
Origin: Mainly produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Fujian and other provinces.
Character identification: This product is spindle-shaped, bent and not straight. It is about 3~8cm long, about 4~8mm in diameter, the surface is brown, rough, with many irregular longitudinal wrinkles, and the quality is relatively hard. The section is reddish-brown and uneven, showing a radial texture. There is no smell, and the taste is sweet and slightly pungent. It is considered to be of better quality to have fat roots, brown and red, solid quality, and no roots.
Main ingredients: 0.56% free anthraquinones and 0.25% bound anthraquinones.
Pharmacological effects: Same as coriander, it has laxative and diuretic effects, but the potency is weaker than that of coriander, and the toxicity is slightly less than that of coriander.
Preparation: vinegar, slicing.
Taste: bitter, cold.
Meridian: into the lungs, spleen, and kidney meridians.
Function: removing swelling and edema, detoxify.
Indications: swelling, water buildup, accumulation of phlegm, carbuncle and sores.
Clinical application
（1） It is used for the treatment of hydrops in the chest and abdomen. The indications and usage are the same as Yuan Hua, and often used in conjunction with Gan Sui and Yuan Hua, such as in the formula Kong Xian Dan, which is used for patients with mild pleural hydrops, vague pain in the flank and ribs, sticky tongue coating, shortness of breath, and more and viscous sputum salivation. When using Da Ji, it is also necessary to pay attention to: ① do not use it for those who are weak, the experience of predecessors is that "the weak take this herb, can vomit blood"; ② Pregnant women should not use it; ③ Take care of the spleen and stomach, and use red dates and honey to alleviate its irritation to the stomach and intestines.
（2） For external use to treat sores and poisons, it is necessary to use heat-clearing and antidote herbs such as Shan Ci Gu, such as in Zi Jin Ding (patent medicines).
Dosage: Take more pills, 0.9~1.2g each time, 1.5~3g decoction.
Prescription examples
· Control saliva pill (three causes): Da Ji, Gan Sui, Bai Jie Zi in equal parts, ground to powder, put into capsules, take 1.5g on the first day, add 0.3g every day thereafter, gradually increase to 3g, use Da Zao 5~10 decoction, take it on an empty stomach in the morning, a total of 5~6 days. Treatment of pleural effusion (suitable for those whose condition is milder than that which requires the formula Shi Zao Tang).
2. Cao Da Ji (grass euphorbia)
Source: The dried root bark of the leguminous plant S. spp. spp. and S. macrophylla spp. Wild.
Origin: Mainly produced in the provinces of the south of the Yangtze River. It is distributed in the south of the Qinling Mountains.
Trait identification: the root bark is elongated, with more involution on both sides, and is cylindrical or split semi-cylindrical. It is about 10~50cm long, 0.5~1.5cm wide and 1~3mm thick. The cork is brownish-black, rough, and the endothelial layer is brownish-red, flexible, and extremely fibrous. There is no smell, and the taste is light and slightly astringent. It is considered of better quality to have a long strip, brown and red color, and is flexible.
Processing: vinegar and cutting.
Function: This product is only for external use as a detergent.
Indications: joint swelling and pain.
3. Jing Da Ji
Source: Euphorbia pekinsia Rupr. of dried roots. Wild.
Other names: General Grass, Swelling Grass, Ascites Grass, Dragon Tiger Grass (Jiangsu), Grass Euphorbia (Shanxi).
Origin: distributed throughout the country.
Trait identification: the root is cylindrical, branched, about 15~20cm long, about 1.5~3cm in diameter, gray-brown surface, rough with longitudinal wrinkles and transverse skin pores. The apex is often enlarged, and there are many dimples (stem marks) on it. Hard. The fracture surface is fibrous. Off-white to grayish-brown. There is no smell, and the taste is bitter. It is better to have uniform roots, tender quality and no roots.
Concocted: See Hong Ya Da Ji (Red Bud Euphorbia).
Efficacy: Same as Hong Ya Da Ji (Red Bud Euphorbia).
annotations
According to the Da Ji in Beijing, the roots of Euphorbiaceae are consistent with the products contained in the Materia Medica. But it is unknown when it was replaced by the Rubiaceae plant Euphorbiaceae. According to the records on page 41 of the first volume of the Chronicle of Chinese Medicine, Euphorbia jing contains euphorbia glycosides and rubber-like substances. Euphorbia red bud contained 0.56% free anthraquinones; Contains 0.25% of conjugated anthraquinones. After trying, the Kyo euphorbia is bitter. Hong Ya Da Ji is sweet and slightly pungent. Both are significantly different in terms of composition and taste. However, general medical books make the same record of the taste function and indications of both. However, the Beijing Da Ji is better at removing edema, and the Hong Ya Da Ji is better at treating sores, so it should be used separately according to its composition, taste, and should not be confused. Da Ji is poisonous, Rubiaceae plants generally do not contain toxic components, is Hong Ya Da Ji poisonous? Is Cao Da Ji poisonous? Should it be vinegared? It should be studied further so that it can be improved during use and in the processing process of decoction pieces.
In addition to the above, there are also a few areas of the commonly used euphorbia, such as the Junggar euphorbia sold in Xinjiang. Coriander root sold in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province. As well as mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Yunnan, Guizhou and other places, and in Shaanxi (Ankang), Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Yunnan and other places accustomed to Ruixiangke wolf venom, drug famous cotton Dazai. The curative effect of the above several kinds of euphorbia is different, especially the wolf venom of the Ruixiangaceae family, Li Shizhen says, “Its root bark is as flexible as cotton, very strong effect, and if the weak take it, side effect can be as severe as vomiting blood, which must be known.” Therefore, it is advisable to pay attention when using it.
This herb conflicts with licorice.
Disclaimer: All above articles are for reference only. If patients are interested, please consult a professional practitioner Traditional Chinese Medicine for a consultation.