Ba Dou #

Crotonis Fructus #

acrid, hot, toxic

PRIMARY FUNCTION: #

Drain Downward and Harshly Expel

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:

• Constipation
  • Due to cold patterns in the middle jiao and lower jiao
• Abdominal fullness and distention
  • Due to cold patterns in the middle jiao and lower jiao
• Ascites
  • Due to cold patterns in the middle jiao
• Labored breathing
  • Due to the accumulation of cold phlegm in the upper jiao
• Wheezing
  • Due to the accumulation of cold phlegm
• Fullness in the chest
  • Due to the accumulation of cold phlegm in the upper jiao
• Ulcers
• Abscesses

This herb is a major cathartic. It is toxic and must be used with extreme caution. It is hot and moves cold patterns down and out of the body. Cold accumulation of this nature can display with such symptoms as constipation, distended abdomen, and abdominal pain.

When there is excess water, such as ascites or edema, this herb can help to remove it from the body. The toxic quality of this herb suppresses ADH production in the pituitary and aldosterone in the adrenal glands so that the body can flush the poison. This flushing mechanism, which is a reaction to the herb as poison, eliminates pathogens and has a detoxifying effect.

It breaks up phlegm congestion to help breathing and decrease wheezing when the pattern is from cold phlegm. It can also improve a cold throat. Ba Dou helps pustular abscesses express and can be used with severe ulcers.

Channels: lung, stomach, large intestine

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:

• Diuresis
  • Toxic nature flushes the body
• Laxative
  • Toxic nature flushes the body
• Gastritis
  • Removes harmful irritants
• Dermatitis
  • Detoxifies liver and gut
• Antimicrobial
• Stimulate pancreas exocrine function
  • Enzyme
• Antiparasitic

Formulas:

• San Wu Bei Ji Wan
• Tian Tai Wu Yao San

Contraindications: this herb is very toxic and should not be used with patients of weak constitution or with pregnant patients, should not be taken in hot decoction (let cool before taking), do not combine with Qian Niu Zi, She Chuang Zi, or Shi Hu

Zoo Image: a frigid vulture has a Popsicle stick up its rear with abscessed strawberries all over its body and a phlegm frozen scarf

Cassone Wellness