Dysosma
八角莲 · Bā Jiǎo Lián
Practitioner herb for severe toxic swellings
Properties
WarmingWarming botanicalBitter, Pungent
Concerns
What it does
Dysosma versipellis resolves severe surface infections: carbuncles, scrofula, swollen lymph nodes, and snake bites. In TCM, it clears heat-toxin and breaks up hard masses. The plant contains podophyllotoxin, the same compound in mayapple and the source for etoposide chemotherapy. Toxic, so internal use is rare and topical paste is preferred.
How to take it
Most safely used topically: grind 3–6g of rhizome into a paste with vinegar and apply to swellings or snake bites. Internal doses (3–9g) only by practitioner direction.
Avoid self-use for internal preparations. Topical paste under guidance is safer
Safety
- Toxic. Internal use is rare and reserved for practitioners
- Strictly avoid during pregnancy
- Topical paste application is far safer than internal use
- Wild plant is endangered and protected. Source ethically
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Dysosma versipellis (Bā Jiǎo Lián, 'eight-angle lotus') grows wild in Chinese mountain forests. Its eight-pointed leaves give the plant its name. The rhizome contains podophyllotoxin, the starting material for etoposide and teniposide, two FDA-approved chemotherapy drugs used in lung cancer and leukemia. The wild plant is now endangered due to over-harvesting and is a protected species in China.