Witnessed by: TCM
Peking spurge (Euphorbia pekinensis), of the Euphorbiaceae family. Erect perennial spurge with milky latex; native range: widespread across China. Globally recognized as jing da ji (京大戟) in Chinese. The part used is root. Long fusiform brown root, acrid and bitter, with irritant milky sap.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
PEKING SPURGE
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Peking spurge
- Scientific name
- Euphorbia pekinensis Rupr.
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
Form
- Part used
- root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung · Kidney · Large Intestine
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- drives out water and drains downward, reduces edema and abdominal distension, disperses nodules and reduces toxic swelling
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in pregnancy and in weak deficient patients; incompatible with gan cao among the classic eighteen antagonisms
- Toxicity
- toxic; a harsh cathartic causing strong purgation, cramping, nausea, and irritation of the mucous membranes
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