Caper Spurge Seed Powder — Classic Formulas

Qian Jin Zi Shuang · Semen Euphorbiae Pulveratum

Primary Actions

  • Expels water by catharsis and reduces swelling - the processed frost form is used for severe edema, ascites, retained phlegm-fluid, and other robust excess patterns where a forceful downward-draining seed is needed.
  • Drives out accumulations through the bowels - chosen when water retention is accompanied by constipation, difficult defecation, or obstructed Qi movement in the intestines.
  • Breaks blood and disperses masses - extended in classical practice to amenorrhea, abdominal masses, and fixed obstruction patterns in which fluid retention and Blood stasis coexist.
  • Treats stubborn skin lesions externally - powdered Qian Jin Zi Shuang may be applied with care for tinea, warts, and other persistent lesions that require a corrosive toxic-dispersing strategy.

Classic Formulas

  • Zi Jin Ding / Yu Shu Dan (紫金锭 / 玉枢丹) - classical emergency formula in which Qian Jin Zi Shuang helps scour toxic turbidity and drive foul accumulations downward through the intestines.
  • Qian Jin Zi Shuang with Hong Da Ji and Wu Bei Zi - a classical processed-toxic-herb strategy for strongly attacking damp-toxin and phlegm accumulation while partially restraining excessive fluid loss.
  • Qian Jin Zi Shuang with Da Huang or other downward-draining purgatives - traditional excess-pattern combinations for edema, difficult elimination, and severe accumulation.
  • Topical Qian Jin Zi Shuang powder or paste - external-use traditions for warts, tinea, and stubborn superficial lesions when a toxic-expulsive medicine is indicated.

Classical Text References

  • TCM Wiki describes Qian Jin Zi Shuang as acrid, warm, and toxic, entering the Liver, Kidney, and Large Intestine channels and treating edema, constipation, phlegm-retained fluid, amenorrhea, and external tinea or warts.
  • Me & Qi's Zi Jin Ding composition notes emphasize that the processed frost form reduces toxicity while retaining the ability to purge turbid pathogenic material downward.
  • IDENTITY NOTE: this is a preparation-state variant of herb #183, Qian Jin Zi, rather than a different species; the chief distinction is processing and reduced oil content.