Chaulmoogra Seed
大风子 · Dà Fēng Zǐ
Historical leprosy treatment, practitioner-only
Properties
WarmingWarming botanicalPungent
Concerns
What it does
Chaulmoogra seed has a singular place in medical history as the main pre-modern treatment for leprosy. In TCM, it dispels wind, dries dampness, and kills parasites at the skin surface. Used for severe scab and lichen patterns. The active fatty acids gave it real efficacy before sulfone drugs. Toxic and largely obsolete today.
How to take it
Used as a topical paste or oil for skin conditions in some traditional contexts. Internal use in tiny doses (0.3–1g) only by experienced practitioners. Largely obsolete.
Avoid self-use. Modern dermatology has safer alternatives
Safety
- Toxic. Severe nausea, vomiting, and irritation possible at standard doses
- Strictly avoid during pregnancy
- Skip if you have liver or kidney disease
- Modern leprosy treatment with dapsone is far safer and more effective
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Chaulmoogra (Hydnocarpus anthelminticus) was the world's main leprosy treatment before sulfones replaced it in the 1940s. The seeds yield a viscous oil that was administered orally or by injection across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Western missionary doctors introduced refined chaulmoogra ester injections, used in leprosaria from the 1920s. Today, the plant is mostly a historical curiosity, with dapsone and other modern drugs dominating leprosy care.