Poinsettia

Poinsettia (Da Ji)Poinsettia (Da Ji)

Botanical Name: Western – Euphorbia lathyris, E. pulcherrima. Eastern – E. pekinensis, Knoxia valerianoides.

Did you know that almost all of the poinsettia can be used medicinally? It is most especially used to treat asthma. In Mexico and Guatemala, it is called Flor de Noche Buena, meaning Christmas Eve Flower. In Chile and Peru, it is known as Crown of the Andes. In Hungarian, it is called Santa Claus’ Flower. Be aware the Chinese use Da Ji (E. pekinensis) and in the west, the poinsettia Euphorbia lathyris or E. pulcherrima are used. They are different species of the same family of plants. The Chinese typically use the root and in the west, the leaves and crushed flowers are typically used.

Below is an overview of Poinsettia (Da Ji), combining and interpreting the best of Western Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore and more. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of Poinsettia (Da Ji).

Have we sparked your interest?

Sign up, FREE, for access to all of WRI Healing Herb Fact Sheets and Exclusive Member Only Offers! Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Find Out More!

Take full advantage of the healing powers of herbs! What do they treat? How can they be used? Get an Eastern and Western perspective about how and why healing herbs works. Get recipes, gardening tips, insights, and much, much more.

Western

Western Name: Poinsettia

Also Known As: Euphoribia, Spurge Root, Snake Root, Asthma Plant

Organs/Systems: Lungs, Large Intestine

Key Actions: Broncho-dilatory, Anti-emitic, Anthelminitic, Antiviral, Antibiotic, Laxative, Diuretic

Medicinal Uses: Asthma, bronchitis, colds, flus, snakebites, worms, parasites, boost milk production in lactating mothers, gonorrhea, premature ejaculation, impotence, dysentery, diarrhea, fever, abortion.

Eastern

Pin Yin: Da Ji

Also Known As: Translates as “Big Spear From the Capitol,” Peking Spurge Roots, Cirsium, Japanese Thistle, Jing Da Ji, Hong Da Ji, Big Thistle.

Meridians: Kidney, Large Intestine, Lung, Heart

Key Actions: Drains Damp Heat Downward, Cools Blood, Stops Bleeding, Reduces Swelling, Dissipates Nodules, Disperses Blood Stasis, Rebuilds Tissues

Medicinal Uses: Diarrhea, edema, swollen lymph nodes, jaundice, epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematuria, blood in the stool with Heat signs, abscesses, carbuncles, sores and swellings due to toxicity and blood stagnation, lowers blood pressure with signs of Liver Heat or Fire, jaundice, dysentery, fever, red eyes.

Basic Habitat/Botany:

There are at least 2000- 2100 different species in the Euphorbiaceae family of plants.

They require daily periods of uninterrupted long, dark nights followed by bright sunny days. Even the light from a passing car can interrupt plant production. The poinsettia, E. pulcherrima, is native to Mexico and is found in the wild. In China, the plants (E. pekinensis, Knoxia valerianoides) are grown in Guangxi, Jiangsu and Yunnan among other places.

Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaf, Flower, Root

Flavors/Temps: Bitter, Acrid, Cold, Toxic

Caution: This is a strong herb, so be careful using it if a person is weak. Do not use with Radix Glycyrrhizae (Licorice Root/Gan Cao).

History/Folklore: The leaves are used to treat skin irritations. The crushed flowers help heal conjunctivitis. The roots can be made into a paste to help ease stomach pain if used in small doses, used in larger doses, it will induce vomiting.

The plant is believed to promote the production of blood platelets.

Poinsettias have been cultivated in Egypt since the 1860s when they were brought there from Mexico. The plant has been called, Bent El Consul, or “the consul’s daughter” referring to the then U.S. ambassador, Joel Poinsett.

It was Paul Ecke Jr., the third generation of Ecke family members who cultivated the plants, who made the association of poinsettias as being a holiday flower in the U.S and around the world. They have been associated in the west with Christmas ever since. The Ecke family still provides 70% of U.S. poinsettia production and 50% of worldwide production.

In Mexico, the plants have been associated with Christmas since the 16th century, where legends tell the story of a poor girl who wanted to gift the baby Jesus at Christmas and was inspired by an angel to gather weeds by the roadside and place them on the church’s alter, where they blossomed into poinsettias. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and the red color, the blood sacrifice during the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Aztecs name for the plant translates as “flower that grows in residues.” Today in Mexico and Guatemala it is called Flor de Noche Buena, meaning Christmas Eve Flower. In Chile and Peru, it is known as Crown of the Andes. In Hungarian, it is called Santa Claus’ Flower.

In China, they harvest their varietal, E. pekinensis, in late winter or early spring. Charred poinsettia (E. pekinensis) is better at stopping bleeding while the fresh herb is better for cooling the blood and reducing swelling. The fresh juice of the herb can be used alone for epistaxis, hematemesis and excess menses.

The Chinese say that the plant’s harsh properties are reduced by cooking with honey and red jujubes. Frying in vinegar also reduces toxicity.

Good quality root is firm and not easily broken, fibrous, with a brownish-yellow or whitish cross section if you are using Euphorbia, red if you are using Knoxia.

Key Constituents:

Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Lithium. Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Phenolics.
Did you know?

Plant’s Sap can be Toxic

The plant’s milky sap, or latex, can be toxic and irritating to the skin, but it is good for treating skin warts, and killing pain and bacteria.
Facts

A Red Dye

The Aztecs used the plant to produce a red dye and as an antipyretic medication.

Fun fact!

Do NOT Use with Licorice Root

Traditionally, the Chinese consider poinsettia (Da Ji) and Radix Glycyrrhizae (Licorice Root/Gan Cao) to be incompatible and therefore they do not blend or combine these two plants together. Studies support that the two together increase toxicity.

FREE Trial!

Get a NEW Healing Herb Fact Sheet each week!

Sign up for immediate access to your first Healing Herb Fact Sheet and a one month free trial. Find out for yourself why over 50,000 people have already signed up.

Sign Up Now

Choose the Right Herbs for You!

Take FULL Advantage of the Healing Powers of Herbs!

Our Healing Herb Library is a collection of How to Use Herb Health Sessions that guide you through individual herbs, helping you to take full advantage of each herb’s unique healing powers.

Learn More

Flower Your World with Healing Herb Fact Sheets!

Get 300+ Fact Sheets,
Right Now!

Get IMMEDIATE access to Our Complete Collection of 6 eBook Volumes containing 300+ Healing Herb Fact Sheets.

Learn More

Want to Learn More?

Join us for FREE to receive Special Offers and updates about our upcoming courses, FREE materials and more.
 
Join, FREE!

Disclosure: If you purchase from some links on this web page, we may receive some kind of affiliate commission. However, we only ever mention products we would recommend whether we were being compensated or not. Thank you so much for your support of White Rabbit Institute of Healing!

ATTENTION: All material provided on this website is for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your healthcare professional or physician. Redistribution permitted with attribution. Be Healthy. Be Happy. Be Whole. Be Free.

ATENCIÓN: Todo el material proporcionado en este sitio web es sólo con fines informativos o educativos. No es sustituto del consejo de su profesional de la salud o médico. Esté sano. Sea feliz. Siéntase completo. Sea libre.

Health Break: Detox, Strengthen & Cleanse

Join our next 30-Day “Love Your Liver” Detox Challenge!

A Health Boost and Reset to Balance Body, Mind, & Spirit Using Traditional Chinese Medicine. You'll also recieve our Free Healing Herb Fact Sheets and latest news. Your privacy is guaranteed.

Thank you, you have joined our wait list! We'll let you know when our next 30-Day “Love Your Liver” Detox Challenge is open.

Healing Herb Fact Sheets

Download. Print. Share.

Complete the form below for immediate access to ALL our Herb Fact Sheets.

Thank you for joining us! Please check your email for details on how to access our free Healing Herb Fact Sheets. Be sure to check your spam folder and promotions tab if you have one.

You have Successfully Subscribed!