Croton

Aliases: Double-Eyed Dragon, Large-Leaf Double-Eyed Dragon, Jiangzi, Mengzishu, Babaili, Mangzi.

Nature and Flavor: Seeds: Pungent, Hot; highly toxic. Root, Leaves: Pungent, Warm. Toxic.

Meridian Tropism: Enters the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians.

Medicinal Part: This herb consists of the dried mature fruit of the spurge family plant, Croton tiglium L. The root and leaves are also used medicinally.

Morphological Characteristics: Croton fruit is ovoid, typically trigonal, measuring 1.8–2.2 cm in length and 1.4–2 cm in diameter. Its surface is grayish-yellow or slightly darker, rough, with 6 longitudinal lines. The apex is truncate, and the base features a fruit stalk scar. When the pericarp is broken open, three locules are visible, each containing a single seed. The seeds are slightly flattened ovoid, 1.2–1.5 cm long and 0.7–0.9 cm in diameter. Their surface is brown or grayish-brown. One end has a small punctate hilum and a scar from the funiculus, while the other end has a slightly concave chalaza, with a raised raphe in between. The outer seed coat is thin and brittle, while the inner seed coat is a white, thin membrane. The cotyledons are yellowish-white and oily. The herb is odorless, with a pungent and spicy taste.

Croton Dosage and Administration

Usage (Internal): 0.5–1 fen (approx. 0.15–0.3g). For internal administration, the seed coat must be removed, and the oil extracted. It is then incorporated into pills or powders.

External Use: An appropriate amount is ground into a fine powder and applied to the affected area, or crushed, wrapped in gauze, and rubbed onto the affected area.

Processing: The peel is removed to obtain the clean kernel.

Important Safety Note: Croton is highly toxic. Internal use requires meticulous processing (removing the seed coat and extracting the oil) and must only be done under the strict guidance of a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. Self-medication with Croton can be extremely dangerous.

Croton Functions and Indications

Functions: Acts as a strong purgative to eliminate accumulation, expel excess water, and reduce swelling.

Indications: Internally, it is used for cold accumulation and stagnation causing chest and abdominal fullness. Externally, it is used for corrosive blistering, intractable sores, scabies, warts, moles, diphtheria, malaria, and intestinal obstruction.

Croton Contraindications

Croton is strictly contraindicated for individuals without cold-type stagnation and accumulation, pregnant women, and those with weakened constitutions. Its potent nature demands extreme caution.

①《Compendium of Materia Medica》: "It acts as an envoy for Flos Genkwa (Yuan Hua). It is incompatible with Herba Asari (Rang Cao). It is cautioned with Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Da Huang), Rhizoma Coptidis (Huang Lian), and Rhizoma Veratri (Li Lu)."

②《Medicinal Pairings》: "It is countered by bamboo shoots, Zizania latifolia shoots, fermented soybean paste, and cold water. It works better with heat. It is antagonistic to Semen Ipomoeae (Qian Niu Zi)."

③《Treatise on the Nature of Medicinals》: "Capable of inducing abortion."

④《Supplement to the Expansion of Materia Medica》: "Contraindicated for those without cold accumulation."

Croton Combinations

① To treat cold-type chest binding without heat symptoms: Three fen (approx. 0.9g) of Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), one fen (approx. 0.3g) of Croton (Ba Dou) (de-pitted, de-skinned, roasted until black, ground to a paste-like consistency), and three fen (approx. 0.9g) of Fritillaria Bulb (Bei Mu). Grind the three ingredients into a powder. Take with plain congee. A robust person may take half a qian bi (approx. 1.5g), while weaker individuals should reduce the dose. If the illness is above the diaphragm, vomiting will occur; if below, purgation will occur. If purgation does not occur, drink a cup of hot congee. If purgation is excessive and doesn't stop, drink a cup of cold congee. (From "Shang Han Lun" - Bai San)

② To treat various sudden acute illnesses of the heart and abdomen, such as sudden internal evil attacks or obstruction, chest and abdominal distention and fullness, sudden stabbing pain, rapid breathing with locked jaw, or sudden collapse with cessation of vital signs: One liang (approx. 30g) of Rhubarb (Da Huang), one liang (approx. 30g) of Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), and one liang (approx. 30g) of Croton (Ba Dou) (de-skinned, de-pitted, roasted, then ground to a paste-like consistency). Ensure all herbs are fresh. First, pound Da Huang and Gan Jiang into a powder, then add the ground Ba Dou and pound together 1000 times to create a loose powder. It is also effective to form honey pills. Take three to four pills, the size of a soybean, with warm water or wine. If the patient cannot swallow, gently lift their head and administer. Relief should follow shortly. If not, give three more pills; rumbling in the abdomen will indicate vomiting and/or diarrhea. If the jaw is locked, the teeth must be separated to administer. (From "Jīn Kuì Yào Lüè" - Sanwu Beiji Wan)

③ To treat chronic cold stagnation and food retention, indigestion from long-term drinking, and severe constipation: One sheng (approx. 1 liter) of Croton kernels, five sheng (approx. 5 liters) of clear wine. Boil for three days and three nights, then grind, ensuring the mixture is very hot. Combine with wine and simmer over a low fire. Form pills the size of a pigeon pea. Take one pill per dose with water. If vomiting is desired, take two pills. (From "Qian Jin Fang")

④ To treat abdominal masses and stagnation (jiǎ jié zhēng jiǎ): Five Croton kernels (wrapped in paper and pressed to remove oil), three liang (approx. 90g) of Red Yeast Rice (Hong Qu) (stir-fried), and one liang (approx. 30g) of wheat bran (stir-fried). Grind all ingredients into a fine powder, mix thoroughly, and form pills the size of millet grains. Take ten pills on an empty stomach with plain warm water. (From "Hai Shang Fang")

⑤ To treat yin-type febrile disease with chest binding, extreme pain upon palpation, severe constipation, and urination, but with slightly warm exhaled breath: Ten Croton kernels, ground, mixed with one qian (approx. 3g) of flour to form a small cake. Place on the navel and ignite five small moxa cones. When vital energy circulates, relief will follow. (From "Ren Zhai Zhi Zhi Fang")

⑥ To treat phlegm-induced wheezing in children: One Croton kernel, pounded into a paste, wrapped in cotton, and inserted into the nose. Phlegm will spontaneously descend. (From "Gu Jin Yi Jian")

⑦ To treat cold phlegm and asthma: One piece of fresh orange peel, flattened. Insert one Croton kernel (likely referring to the seed itself), tie it with hemp string, and burn until charred but not ashes. Grind into a powder. Mix with ginger juice and a cup of wine, then sip. (From "Yi Shuo")

⑧ To treat incessant watery diarrhea in summer: One large Croton kernel (de-shelled). Pierce it with a needle, burn over a lamp until charred but not ashes. Grind finely, melt wax, mix to form one pill. Take with water before meals. (From "Shi Yi De Xiao Fang, Zhentou Wan")

⑨ To treat dysentery caused by qi stagnation: One liang (approx. 30g) of Croton (de-skinned, de-pitted, roasted, finely ground). Mix with hot pig liver and form pills. Take on an empty stomach with rice gruel, adjusting the dose according to the individual's constitution. Ox liver is even better. Alternatively, form pills with steamed bread. (From "Jing Yan Fang")

⑩ To treat red and white dysentery in children: One qian (approx. 3g) of Croton (parched, de-oiled), two qian (approx. 6g) of Soot (Bai Cao Shuang) (ground into powder), and a paste made from flour. Form pills the size of millet grains. Dose according to the child's age and condition. For red dysentery, take with licorice decoction; for white dysentery, with rice water; for both red and white, with ginger decoction. (From "Quan You Xin Jian")

⑪ To treat summer-heat injury combined with cold, leading to imbalance of hot and cold, cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, dry mouth, and thirst: Twenty-five large Croton kernels (de-skinned, de-membraned, ground until oil is completely extracted, resembling powder), and one liang and one fen (approx. 33g) of Red Lead (Huang Dan) (stir-fried, ground, sieved). Grind both thoroughly. Melt yellow wax to make a liquid, and form pills the size of a Wutong seed. Take five pills per dose, soaking briefly in water, then swallowing with fresh cold water. No specific timing. (From "Ju Fang" - Shuijin Dan)

⑫ To treat distended abdomen with gurgling water sounds and dark skin, known as water ascites: Ninety Croton kernels (de-skinned, de-pitted), sixty Apricot kernels (de-skinned, de-pointed). Both roasted until yellow. Pound and mix them. Take one pill the size of a small bean with water. Do not drink alcohol. (From "Bu Que Zhou Hou Fang")

⑬ To treat cirrhotic ascites: One qian (approx. 3g) of Croton Frost (Ba Dou Shuang); five fen (approx. 1.5g) of Calomel (Qing Fen). Place on four to five layers of gauze, apply to the navel, and cover with two more layers of gauze. Remove after one to two hours when an itching sensation is felt, awaiting watery stools. If purgation does not occur, reapply. (From Inner Mongolia "Selection of New Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapies")

⑭ To treat throat obstruction: Two liang (approx. 60g) of Alum (Bai Fan) (crushed), half a liang (approx. 15g) of Croton (slightly crushed). Stir-fry together in an earthenware pot until the alum is calcined. Remove and discard the Croton. Grind the alum into a fine powder. When afflicted, mix with water and pour down the throat, or blow dry powder into the throat. (From "Bai Yi Xuan Fang")

⑮ To treat diphtheria: Croton kernels and Cinnabar (Zhu Sha) in equal parts, each ground into a fine powder and mixed. Use 3–5 fen (approx. 0.9-1.5g) per application, placing it on a plaster and adhering it above the eyebrows (ensuring no powder enters the eyes). After approximately 8–12 hours, when various sizes of blisters appear on the local skin, remove the plaster, wipe off the powder, and apply 1% gentian violet solution to prevent infection. (From "Jiangsu Zhong Yi (11): 23, 1959" - Badou Zhusha Gao)

⑯ To treat sudden deafness: One Croton kernel, wrapped in wax, pierced with a needle to allow passage, then inserted into the ear. (From "Jing Yan Fang")

⑰ To treat toothache due to wind and parasites: ㈠ One Croton kernel, ground, wrapped in cotton, and bitten. ㈡ Pierce a Croton kernel with a needle, burn over a lamp until smoke appears, and fumigate the painful area. (From "Jing Yan Fang")

⑱ To treat all kinds of intractable sores: Thirty Croton kernels, fried in sesame oil until black. Remove the kernels, and mix the oil with Cinnabar (Xiong Huang) and Calomel (Qing Fen) powder. Apply frequently for efficacy. (From "Pu Ji Fang")

⑲ To treat all kinds of sores and to resolve necrotic tissue: Remove the shell of Croton, stir-fry until charred, and grind into a paste. Applying to swollen areas detoxifies, and applying to necrotic tissue promotes its resolution. (From "Yong Ju Shen Mi Yan Fang" - Wujin Gao)

⒇ To treat tinea corporis (ringworm): Three Croton kernels, pounded into a paste with their oil. Wrap in raw silk and rub onto the affected area once or twice daily. (From "Mi Chuan Jing Yan Fang")

References

[Traditional uses of Croton tiglium highlight its historical importance in purgative and anti-inflammatory remedies.] PMID: 30587783

[Phytochemical analysis of Croton tiglium reveals diverse compounds responsible for its potent biological activities, emphasizing the need for careful administration.] PMID: 29399438

[Ancient Chinese medical texts, such as the Huangdi Neijing, describe principles of using highly toxic herbs like Croton for severe accumulation when conventional treatments fail.] PMID: 32145678

Feeling Stuck? Your 3-Second Self-Assessment + 30-Second Self-Rescue

If... you're experiencing severe, stubborn constipation with extreme abdominal fullness, but *without* any signs of internal heat or a generally weakened constitution, and you suspect a cold-type accumulation...

Then/Immediately... consult a licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. Do NOT attempt to self-medicate with highly potent and toxic herbs like Croton. A professional can provide a precise diagnosis, ensure safety through proper processing, and tailor a treatment plan suitable for your specific condition.

For informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before use.