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Cura x Cura

Hong Da Ji红大戟

Knoxiae Radix · Knoxia Root · Red Da Ji

Downward-Draining Herbs 泻下药

Overview

The secondary drug appended to Jing Da Ji 京大戟 in the textbook, and botanically a different plant altogether: the tuber of Knoxia valerianoides, in the madder family. It shares the name, the bitter cold nature and the water-expelling action of its spurge namesake, but it is less toxic and less violently purgative, and is chosen where the aim is to disperse scrofulous nodules and swellings rather than to strip fluid from the abdomen.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold · Slightly toxic

Channels

Lung · Spleen · Kidney

Typical Dosage

1.5–5 g
红大戟Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Drives out water and thin mucusEdema and abdominal fluid distension, and fluid congesting the chest and flanks — the same indication as Jing Da Ji, worked more gently.
  • Reduces swelling, disperses nodulesScrofulous neck nodules, phlegm lumps and toxic sores — its stronger side, and the reason it is dispensed in preference to the spurge for these presentations.
  • Not interchangeable with Jing Da JiTwo unrelated plants circulate as Da Ji. The spurge (Jing Da Ji) purges harder and is more toxic; Knoxia is milder and better at nodules. A prescription should name which one is meant, and a dispensary should not substitute one for the other.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Hong Da Ji

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Edema and abdominal fluid accumulation in an excess pattern
    - Fluid congestion of the chest and flanks
    - Scrofulous nodules, phlegm lumps, toxic sores
    - Externally, on swellings

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

EdemaAscitesLymphadenopathySkin abscess

Contraindications

Cautions

Slightly toxic, and still a harsh purgative. Overdose brings nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and watery diarrhea with the risk of dehydration. The pharmacopoeia ceiling is 3 g per day in decoction, or 1 g per dose in pills and powder, and it carries the same warning as its namesake: do not combine with Gan Cao 甘草 — the classical pairing was written for, and modern practice extends the avoidance to this drug as well. Contraindicated in weak, deficient or dehydrated patients. It must not be dispensed as a silent substitute for Jing Da Ji, or the reverse. Not a self-medication herb.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — do not use; avoid while breastfeeding as well

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》.

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.