Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba
Aliases：Chou (Blood-Sees-Sorrow), Xiao Chong Er Wo Dan (Small Insect Bed Sheet), Tie Xian Cao (Iron Wire Grass), Jiang Ban Cao (Sauce Petal Grass), Xue Feng Cao (Blood Wind Grass), Ma Yi Cao (Ant Grass), Que Er Wo Dan (Sparrow Bed Sheet), Hu Sun Tou Cao (Monkey Head Grass), Pu Di Jin (Prostrate Brocade), Nai Hua Cao (Milk Flower Grass), Nai Cao (Milk Grass), Nai Zhi Cao (Milk Sap Grass), Pu Di Jin (Carpeting Brocade), Pu Di Hong (Prostrate Red), Hong Lian Cao (Red Lotus Grass), Ban Jiu Wo (Turtle Dove Nest), San Yue Huang Hua (March Yellow Flower), Di Peng Cao (Ground Mattress Grass), Tie Xian Ma Chi Xian (Iron Wire Purslane), Wu Gong Cao (Centipede Grass), Nai Gan Cao (Milk Malnutrition Grass), Hong Jing Cao (Red Stem Grass), Hong Ban Jiu Wo (Red Turtle Dove Nest), Di Ma Sang (Ground Mulberry), Hong Sha Cao (Red Sand Grass), Liang Mao Cao (Sunhat Grass), Xiao Cang Ying Chi Cao (Small Fly Wing Grass), Hong Si Cao (Red Silk Grass), Xiao Hong Jin Cao (Small Red Muscle Grass), Xian Tao Cao (Immortal Peach Grass), Lian Zi Cao (Lotus Seed Grass), Ruan Gu Lian Zi Cao (Soft Bone Lotus Seed Grass), Jiu Long Tu Zhu Cao (Nine Dragons Spitting Pearl Grass), Di Ban Cao (Ground Petal Grass), Fen Jiao Cao (Feces Foot Grass), Fen Chu Jiao (Feces Touching Foot), Hua Bei Dan (Flower Sheet), Pu Di Cao (Prostrate Grass), Bei Dan Cao (Sheet Grass), Xing Xing Cao (Star Grass), Ban Que Cao (Speckled Sparrow Grass), Duo Ye Guo (Many-Leaf Fruit), Feng Huang Wo (Phoenix Nest), Jiu Tou Shi Zi Cao (Nine-Headed Lion Grass).
Dijincao (Humifuse Euphorbia Herb) is a medicinal herb. This product is the dried whole plant of Euphorbia humifusa Willd. or Euphorbia maculata L., belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. It is an annual, prostrate small herb with slender, creeping stems that are often purplish-red in color. When broken, the stems exude a white, milky sap, which is why it is commonly known as “Milk Grass” (Nai Zhi Cao) in Chinese folklore.
Efficacy & Actions
Used for dysentery, diarrhea, hemoptysis, hematuria, bloody stool, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, boils, furuncles, carbuncles and swellings, damp-heat jaundice, and lack of breast milk.
Indications
Used for dysentery, diarrhea, hemoptysis, hematuria, bloody stool, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, boils, furuncles, carbuncles and swellings, damp-heat jaundice, and lack of breast milk.
Modern Pharmacology
1、 Anti-pathogenic microbial effect: Fresh juice, decoction, and extracts of Euphorbia humifusa (Dijincao) exhibit bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects against various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi. 2、 Antitumor effect: The triterpenoids in Dijincao can induce apoptosis of tumor cells, while flavonoids and tannins also possess antitumor activity. 3、 Hemostatic effect: The dry powder of Dijincao has a significant hemostatic effect and is widely used clinically for various bleeding disorders. 4、 Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects: The aqueous extract of Dijincao shows strong inhibition of acute inflammation and exhibits antioxidant activity. 5、 Hypoglycemic effect: Modern studies indicate that Dijincao has the potential to lower blood glucose. 6、 Antiviral effect: Research shows that Dijincao has inhibitory activity against influenza virus and other viruses. 7、 Immunomodulatory effect: Its polysaccharide components can regulate immune function.
Ingredients
Flavonoids: Kaempferol, quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, astragalin, etc. Terpenoids: Including triterpenoids such as β-amyrin acetate, taraxerol acetate, and newly discovered euphohumifusoids A–N, among other novel triterpene components. Coumarins: Scopoletin, umbelliferone, ayapin, etc. Phenolic acids and tannins: Gallic acid, methyl gallate, palmitic acid, ellagic acid, geraniin, etc. Sterols: β-Sitosterol, etc. Other constituents: Myo-inositol, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 9–20 g (30–60 g if fresh); or prepared as a powder. Topical Administration: Appropriate amount, mashed fresh herb for external application; or ground into powder for sprinkling; or decocted in water for fumigation and washing.
Contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy (its active components may cause uterine contractions). Not suitable for those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold or chronic loose stools, especially when used alone in large amounts. Use with caution in cases of blood deficiency without stasis. A few individuals may experience allergic reactions such as generalized itching or skin rashes. Discontinue use if allergic. During the course of medication, it is advisable to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy or irritating foods, and pay attention to dietary regulation.
Selected Formulas
For Persistent Diarrhea, Bloody Dysentery, and Bloody Stool (from Jing Yan Fang) Grind Dijincao (Humifuse Euphorbia Herb) into powder, mix with rice water, and take orally. For Metrorrhagia and Metrostaxis in Women (from Shi Yi De Xiao Fang) Grind Dijincao into powder, mix with ginger and wine, and take orally. For Damp-Heat Jaundice Take Dijincao alone in decoction, or combine it with other herbs such as Artemisia capillaris (Yin Chen), Gardenia (Zhi Zi), and Phellodendron (Huang Bo). Decoct in water and take orally. For Venomous Snake Bite Take an appropriate amount of fresh Dijincao, mash thoroughly, and apply externally. For Traumatic Swelling and Pain Take an appropriate amount each of fresh Dijincao and distiller‘s grains. Mash and mix evenly, then add a little flour and apply externally.
Daily Consumption
Dijincao Anti-Dysentery Tea Ingredients: 50 g fresh Dijincao (or 20 g dried) and 30 g Purslane (Portulaca oleracea). Preparation: Add water and decoct for 15 minutes. Strain and drink the liquid as a tea. Efficacy: Suitable for acute enteritis and early-stage dysentery. Dijincao and Pig’s Trotter Soup Ingredients: 20 g Dijincao, 1 pig’s trotter, and 100 ml sweet rice wine. Preparation: Clean and chop the pig’s trotter. Place it in a clay pot with water and Dijincao, then cook until tender. Remove the herb residue, add the sweet rice wine, and bring to a boil. Drink the soup and eat the trotter. Efficacy: Can be used to promote lactation. Dijincao Hemostatic Powder Ingredients: An appropriate amount of dried Dijincao. Preparation: Grind into a very fine powder and store in a sealed container. After cleaning the wound, sprinkle the powder over the bleeding area and gently press. Efficacy: Suitable for minor wound oozing.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry, airtight container in a cool, well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture. Fresh material may be used immediately upon collection.