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Photo of Croton Fruit

Croton Fruit

巴豆 · Bā Dòu

Practitioner-only herb for emergency purgation

Properties

WarmingWarming botanicalPungent

Concerns

Detox

What it does

Croton fruit drains life-threatening blockages from the digestive tract. In TCM, it's used for sudden severe abdominal pain with fecal stoppage, when accumulated cold has stalled the gut. It also resolves throat-blocking phlegm. The active phorbol esters cause violent purgation within an hour. One of TCM's most dangerous purgatives, only the processed oil-free form is used.

How to take it

Capsule

Used only by experienced practitioners as the processed oil-free powder (Bā Dòu Shuāng) at tiny doses (0.1–0.3g). Single-dose use only. Modern alternatives are far safer.

Avoid self-use entirely. Modern laxatives are safer for nearly every case

Safety

  • Extremely toxic. Even one untreated seed can be fatal
  • Strictly practitioner-only. Never source raw croton
  • Strictly avoid during pregnancy. Strong abortifacient
  • Modern medicine has safer alternatives for nearly every traditional indication
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

Croton seed has been one of TCM's most feared and respected botanicals for over 2,000 years. The name Bā Dòu means 'Sichuan bean,' marking its origin in southern China. Classical pharmacopeia warned that one seed could kill, and processing was considered an art form: oil pressing reduces the active phorbol esters, leaving the safer powder Bā Dòu Shuāng. Modern medicine avoids it, but it appears in classical emergency formulas.