Skip to content
Neijing
pldeesfr

Knowledge baseHerbs

Zao Jiao Ci皂角刺

Spina GleditsiaeGleditsia Thorn

Also known asChinese Honey Locust Spine

Category
Herbs that Warm and Transform Cold Phlegm (Warm Antitussives)
Nature
warm
Taste
pungent
Channels entered
Liver, Stomach, Lung
Secondary channels
Large Intestine
Dosage
3–10 g

Actions & indications

Draws out toxicity, discharges pus, invigorates the Blood and reduces swelling
Early-stages of swollen sores to encourage suppuration or to induce those already formed to burst
Expels Wind and kills parasites
Tinea and leprosy

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated with open sores.
  • Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Interactions

Avoid taking this herb together with pharmaceuticals, as it may reduce their absorption and blood concentration.

Combinations

  • Early-stage abscesses and boils.

  • Abscesses that are un-ulcerated or slow to discharge pus.

  • Acute mastitis: take 30g of powder mixed at a 1:10 ratio of Zao Jiao Ci to Ge Qiao, followed by warm grain liquor.

Notes

  • This herb should be boiled down into a thick paste for topical use on sores and skin disorders.
  • It draws out toxins and expels Wind-Heat and Wind-toxins from the Blood, treating leprosy.
  • Used on its own, it treats tonsillitis.
  • It resembles Fr. Gleditsiae Zao Jiao but is sharper and reaches the site of illness more directly.
  • It can ascend to treat upper Jiao disorders such as tonsillitis.
  • It also addresses ulcers, caked breasts, eczema, carbuncles, inflammation and fungal infections.
  • This herb inhibits cancer cell growth.
  • For mammary abscess, grind 30g of lightly charred Zao Jiao Ci together with 3g Anodonta Pulveratum (mussel) into a powder, and take 3g at a time with warm wine.
  • For severe Wind-caused disease with eyebrow loss and nasal collapse, char and decoct 1500g Zao Jiao Ci with 3g Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang, taken orally after meals.

Appears in