1. Description:
Euphorbia helioscopia (also known as sun spurge, Chinese Pinyin: Ze Qi, Simplified Chinese: 泽漆, 五朵云, 猫眼草, 五凤草), is a species of annual flowering and herbaceous plant in genus Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae family, also known as spurge family). Found in arable land and disturbed ground in Europe, northern Africa, and eastward through most of Asia, the plant can grow up to 50 cm tall. The roots, stem and leaves of Euphorbia helioscopia are used as diuretic, discutient, antitussive and expectorant in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as edema and toothache.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
Euphorbia helioscopia is considered to have bitter, mildly cold and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the lung, large intestine and small intestine meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Euphorbia Helioscopia & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Reducing Inflammation And Relieving Pain
A decoction of Euphorbia helioscopia and beehive is used externally to treat swollen ankles.
Water solution of powdered Euphorbia helioscopia can be used as a mouth wash to relieve toothache.
3.2 Coughing
A decoction of Euphorbia helioscopia, pinellia ternata, salvia chinensis root, cynanchum glaucescens, fresh ginger, licorice root, root of scutellaria baicalensis, ginseng and cinnamon is used in treating chronic coughing.
3.3 Skin Health
Powdered Euphorbia helioscopia mixed with vegetable oil can be applied externally to treat ringworm (tinea).
3.4 Edema
Pills made with dried Euphorbia helioscopia and red dates are is taken orally with water to treat edema (swelling caused by fluid retention.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.