Ba Dou巴豆
Crotonis Fructus · Croton Fruit · Croton Seed
Overview
The seed of Croton tiglium, and the one hot drug in a chapter of cold ones: acrid, hot and severely toxic, it stands among the harsh water-expelling purgatives as the remedy for cold accumulation blocking the bowel. It also drives out water and cuts through phlegm blocking the throat. Internal use is always of Ba Dou Shuang, the defatted powder, in milligram quantities; the raw seed and its oil are corrosive and are handled as caustic external material only.
Nature & Flavor
Acrid · Hot · Very toxicChannels
Stomach · Large IntestineTypical Dosage
0.1–0.3 gActions
4 core actions
- Purges cold accumulationSudden, complete blockage of the bowel with cold cramping pain and a hard abdomen — the classical emergency use, as in San Wu Bei Ji Wan 三物备急丸.
- Drives out water, reduces swellingAbdominal fluid distension in a patient with the strength to be purged, in the same minute doses.
- Cuts phlegm blocking the throatThe throat obstructed by phlegm with laboured breathing — a rescue measure in the classical record, never a routine treatment.
- Erodes sores externallyApplied to stubborn sores and skin lesions. The action is frankly caustic, and it is the same property that makes the drug dangerous to handle.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Ba Dou
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Acute cold accumulation with constipation, hard abdomen and severe pain (emergency use only)
- Abdominal fluid distension in an excess pattern
- Phlegm obstructing the throat with difficult breathing
- Externally, on stubborn sores and skin lesions
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Severely toxic, corrosive, and among the most dangerous drugs in the entire materia medica. The phorbol esters in croton oil blister and burn skin and mucous membrane on contact: the powder must be kept away from the eyes, and anyone handling it should protect hands and face. Swallowed in excess it causes burning of the mouth and throat, violent vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, dehydration and shock, and poisoning can be fatal — a very small quantity of the oil is enough to purge violently. Internal use is restricted to Ba Dou Shuang , the powder from which most of the oil has been pressed out, at 0.1–0.3 g per day in pills or powder, which is the pharmacopoeia ceiling; the raw seed is not taken internally at all. Its purging is aggravated by heat and checked by cold, so hot food and hot drinks are avoided while it acts. Classical incompatibility: it is never combined with Qian Niu Zi 牵牛子. Contraindicated in weak, deficient, elderly and paediatric patients unless a specialist judges otherwise, and in any heat pattern. Never a self-medication herb under any circumstances.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy — a recognised abortifacient; avoid while breastfeeding as well
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.