Euphorbia helioscopiae, Ze Qi 择期Sun Spurge, Wart-wortZe Qi (TCM) |
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Willkomm, Illustrationes florae Hispaniae insularumque Balearium (1881-1885)
Euphorbia helioscopiaKorsmo, Unkrauttaflen – Weed plates – Planches des
mauvaises herbes – Ugressplansjer (1934-1938)
Botanical name:
Euphorbia helioscopia
Parts used:
Herb
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Pungent, Bitter, Slightly Toxic
Classification:
P. Clears Hot Phlegm
Uses:
1. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Lung Phlegm with Cough and Wheezing
-Chronic Bronchitis
2. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Nodules:
-Scrofula; Lymphatic swellings
3. Promotes Urine, Clears Damp:
-Edema, especially of the abdomen, face;
-puffiness around the eyes
-“good for treating ascites with distended abdomen and puffy edema on the face, eye and extremities” (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
4. Externally:
-juice is applied to Warts, Corns, Skin growths, Skin Cancers
Dose:
Decoction: 5–10 grams
Powder: 500mg–1 gram
Comment:
1. This and related plants were regarded as Hot in the Western Tradition; TCM regards it as cool, and appropriate for Phlegm-Heat. In reality it is a Phlegm medicine and can be used for Phlegm-Heat or Phlegm-Cold depending on the herbs it is combined with.
2. “It seedling is nontoxic. It can be eaten as a vegetable. It is good to tonify the Yin of men.” (Li Shi Zhen)
3. It “makes one to feel happy and vigorous” (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
Substitute:
“It has similar functions to Euphorbia Da Ji”
Main Combinations:
1. Combined with Pinellia Ban Xia for Cough and Wheezing from Phlegm
2. With Chinese Red Date (Da Zao) as a pill for Edema and Ascites
Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy