Ba Dou - Croton Seed
TCM Materia Medica
Ba Dou TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "ba dou" which in english is "croton seed", is categorized within the "herbs that drain downward" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the large intestine, lung and stomach channels and exhibits acrid and hot (re) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 0.1 - 0.3g (in pills)
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Vigorously purges, warmly unblocks - severe cold accumulation in the interior leading to constipation and abdominal fullness and pain.
- Drives out water and reduces edema - ascites.
- Bursts clogged phlegm and improves condition of throat - difficult breathing due to phlegm in the throat, wheezing.
- Promotes healing of abscesses and ulcers - topically, accelerates ulcerating process.
Ba Dou has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).
- Antagonist with Qian Niu Zi
- Avoid in Pregnancy
- Toxic - very irritating to the skin and musous membranes
As noted above, ba dou is within the herbs that drain downward functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... purgatives - constipation from interior-heat or interior-cold (both are interior excesses). moist laxatives - often nuts or seeds, lubricates the intestines; mild in nature - elderly or weakness from febrile disease or from child birth. h…)".
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