Japanese Thistle Herb … Classic Formulas

Da Ji · Herba Seu Radix Cirsii Japonici

Primary Actions

  • Cools Blood and stops bleeding … hematemesis, hemoptysis, hematuria, epistaxis, uterine bleeding, and hematochezia from Blood Heat; one of the principal haemostatic herbs in TCM
  • Resolves toxicity and reduces swelling … carbuncles, abscesses, furuncles, and lymph node swellings from fire toxin
  • Disperses Blood stasis … traumatic swelling and bruising (used internally and topically)

Classic Formulas

  • Shi Hui San (十灰散) … classical formula for Blood-Heat bleeding; Da Ji combined with Xiao Ji (小蓟), He Ye (lotus leaf), Ce Bai Ye, Bai Mao Gen, Qian Cao Gen, Zhi Zi, Da Huang, Mu Dan Pi, and Zong Lu Pi … all ten herbs charred; principal formula for upper-body bleeding (hemoptysis, hematemesis, epistaxis) from Blood Heat
  • Da Ji San (大蓟散) … single-herb or two-herb decoction of Da Ji (fresh or charred) for acute uterine bleeding and hematuria; classic folk first-aid formula for Blood-Heat haemorrhage

Classical Text References

  • Ben Cao Gang Mu (Li Shizhen): 'Da Ji (大蓟, great thistle) cools blood, stops bleeding, breaks blood stasis, and resolves toxic swellings … superior to Xiao Ji for reducing hard swellings; both cool blood, but Da Ji is stronger for resolving masses while Xiao Ji is preferred for urinary bleeding'
  • LATIN NOTE: XLSX source lists three Latin variants for this herb … Herba Cirsii Japonici, Radix Cirsii Japonici, and Herba Seu Radix Cirsii Japonici … reflecting the Chinese Pharmacopoeia practice of using both aerial parts and root; 'Herba Seu Radix Cirsii Japonici' is the most complete designation and is used here