Skip to content
Photo of Caper Euphorbia Seed

Caper Euphorbia Seed

千金子 · Qiān Jīn Zǐ

Practitioner-only herb for severe edema

Properties

WarmingWarming botanicalPungent

Concerns

Detox

What it does

Caper euphorbia seed expels stubborn fluid buildup when gentler herbs can't shift it. The dried seed contains potent oils that aggressively force fluids out of the body. In TCM, the action is 'expelling water and dispelling phlegm,' historically used for severe edema, ascites, and stuck phlegm. Also applied topically for warts. Toxic and strictly practitioner-only.

How to take it

Capsule

Used only by practitioners in tiny doses (0.5–1g) of carefully processed seed. The seed-powder form is more controllable. Single-dose use only.

Avoid self-use. Modern diuretics are far safer for most edema

Safety

  • Toxic. Severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration possible at standard doses
  • Strictly avoid during pregnancy. Strong abortifacient effect
  • Skip if you have weak digestion, low blood pressure, or are dehydrated
  • Modern medicine has safer diuretics for most edema patterns
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

Caper euphorbia is native to southern China and grows wild across subtropical regions. The Chinese name Qiān Jīn Zǐ means 'thousand gold seed,' likely a reflection of the small dose required and the seed's intensity, not its market price. Classical pharmacopoeia warned that its purgative effect was 'three times that of castor oil,' a striking comparison. Modern TCM rarely prescribes it due to its harshness and the availability of safer diuretics.