Skip to content
Cura x Cura

Ya Dan Zi鸦胆子

Bruceae, Fructus · Java Brucea Fruit · Kosam Seed

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《本草纲目拾遗》

Overview

A small, intensely bitter and cold fruit kept for stubborn dysenteric disorders and malarial patterns, and applied topically to erode warts and corns. It is a toxic herb: the seeds are never decocted but swallowed whole in capsules or wrapped in longan flesh, in small counted doses set by the treating practitioner.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold · Slightly toxic

Channels

Large Intestine · Liver

Typical Dosage

0.5–2 g
鸦胆子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, resolves toxicity, stops dysenteric disorderAmebic and long-standing dysenteric disorders with blood and mucus in the stool; the classical single-herb use.
  • Interrupts malarial patternsAlternating chills and fever of malarial type, historically given as counted seeds ahead of an expected episode.
  • Erodes warts and corns (external only)The crushed seed or its expressed oil dabbed on the lesion itself, with the surrounding healthy skin protected.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ya Dan Zi

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Amebic and chronic dysenteric disorders with blood and mucus in the stool
    - Malarial chills and fever
    - Warts, corns and callus (external application only)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Amebic dysenteryMalariaWartsCorns

Contraindications

Cautions

Toxic herb — used only under a practitioner's direct supervision and never self-prescribed. It irritates the gastrointestinal tract and, in excess, can injure the liver and kidneys; the seeds are swallowed enclosed in a capsule or in longan flesh rather than chewed or decocted, and the course is kept short. Not for people with a weak Spleen and Stomach, with vomiting, or with existing liver or kidney disease, and not for children except under specialist care. Applied externally, keep it off healthy skin and away from the eyes and mucous membranes.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi《本草纲目拾遗》(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.