Crisium japonicum, Da Ji 大蓟
Japanese Thistle, Large ThistleDa Ji (TCM)
Cirsium japonicum
(Photo by OgreBot) (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Cirsium japonicum
In Tibetan Medicine several species of Cirsium are used including C. verutum
Parts used:
Root. Sometimes the whole fresh plant is used
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Sweet, Bitter
Classifications:
L. Stop Bleeding
Uses:
1. Cools the Blood, Stops Bleeding:
-heat-type Bleeding: coughing or vomiting Blood, Blood in the stool or urine
-Uterine Bleeding
2. Clears Heat, Disperses Blood Stasis, Resolves Swellings:
-Boils, Abscesses, Carbuncles, Sores and Swellings (internally and topically)
-Abscesses of the Lungs or Intestines
-Mastitis
-applied to nodules
3. Clears Liver Heat:
-Jaundice
-Hypertension (the root is stronger and has a proven effect)
Dose:
Decoction: 9–15 grams (up to 30 grams). As a stand-alone herb for Bleeding, 12–15 grams of the whole fresh plant can be decocted.
Comment:
Tibetan Medicine uses several species of Cirsium including C. verutum. They are used for Wounds, Swellings, Tumors and Cancer. Considered good for Phlegm diseases and used as an emetic in Indigestion etc. Despite their different uses, they are probably medicinally similar.
Substitute:
Crisium Xiao Ji
Preparation:
The herb can be charred until scorched to increase its effect on stopping Bleeding, as well as making it less Cold.
Main Combinations:
1. Bleeding:
i. Cirsium Da Ji with Madder (Qian Cao) for Coughing or Vomiting Blood
ii. Cirsium Da Ji with Cirsium Xiao Ji, Imperata Bai Mao Gen, Rhubarb (Da Huang), Madder (Qian Cao), all charred (as in Shi Hui San [Ten Partially Charred Medicines Powder])
2. Internal Abscess:
i. Cirsium Da Ji with Burnet root (Di Yu) and Lonicera (Jin Yin Hua)
ii. Cirsium Da Ji with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Rhubarb (Da Huang)
iii. Intestinal Abscess, Cirsium Da Ji with Burnet (Di Yu), Achyranthes Niu Xi, Lonicera (Jin Yin Hua)
iv. Lung Abscess, Cirsium Da Ji with Platycodon Jie Geng, Houttuynia Yu Xing Cao
3. Jaundice, Cirsium Da Ji with Artemisia Yin Chen Hao, Gardenia Zhi Zi
4. Hypertension:
i. Cirsium Da Ji with Hawthorn (Shan Zha), Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao)
ii. Cirsium Da Ji with Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi)
iii. Cirsium Da Ji with Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao)
Cautions:
1. Not used in Cold and Weakness of the Spleen and Stomach.
2. Use cautiously during Pregnancy.
3. Some people may experience nausea and gastrointestinal upset.
Drug Interactions:
Due to its Vitamin K content, be cautious in those taking warfarin.