Croton Seed (Badou)
| Pharmaceutical Name: | Semen Crotonis |
| Botanical Name: | Croton tiglium L. |
| Common Name: | Croton seed |
| Source of Earliest Record: | Shennong Bencao Jing |
| art Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: | The dried bone is collected from Costazia Sp. |
| Properties and Taste: | Pungent and very toxic |
| Meridian: | Stomach and large intestine |
| Functions: | To drain accumulated cold downward To transform water and reduce edema To resolve phlegm and benefit throat |
| Indications and Combinations: | 1. Abdominal pain and constipation due to cold or retention of food in the intestines. *Use with Rhubarb (Dahuang) and Dried ginger (Ganjiang) in the formula Sanwu Beiji Wan. 2. Retention of milk in babies, profuse sputum and infantile convulsions. *Use with Medicated leaven (Shenqu), Arisaema tuner with bile (Dannanxing) and Cinnabar (Zhusha) in the formula Baochi San. 3. Ascites. *Use with Apricot seed (Xingren). 4. Pharyngitis, excessive sputum blocking the windpipe, rapid breathing and even suffocation. *The powder is blown into the throat to cause vomiting. 5. Boils and carbuncles. *Use externally. |
| Dosage: | 0.1-0.3 g |
| Cautions: | This herb is contraindicated during pregnancy. It must not be mixed with the herb Pharbitis flower (Qianniuhua). No hot food or drinks should be consumed while administering the herb. |