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Photo of Iphigenia

Iphigenia

草贝母 · Cǎo Bèi Mǔ

Practitioner herb in cancer-adjunct formulas

Properties

WarmingWarming botanicalBitter

What it does

Iphigenia bulb appears in modern Chinese hospital cancer-adjunct formulas, especially for breast and head-and-neck cancers. In TCM, it dissipates hard tissue masses and relieves pain. The active compound colchicine, the same one in autumn crocus, gives it potent anticancer effects but also extreme toxicity. Strictly practitioner-controlled.

How to take it

Capsule

Used only by practitioners in tiny doses (0.6–0.9g processed) within larger cancer-adjunct formulas. Single-dose use. Modern colchicine is dose-controlled.

Avoid self-use. Pharmaceutical colchicine has controlled dosing

Safety

  • Extremely toxic. Colchicine has a very narrow safety margin
  • Strictly practitioner-only. Never source raw plant
  • Strictly avoid during pregnancy. Strong abortifacient
  • Stop immediately if you develop severe diarrhea, vomiting, or numbness
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

Iphigenia indica is a small flowering plant in the Colchicum family. Its bulb contains colchicine, a powerful alkaloid that's also FDA-approved (in pharmaceutical form) for gout and familial Mediterranean fever. The plant gained TCM use in the 20th century as an addition to cancer-adjunct formulas, particularly for breast and salivary gland cancers. Modern medicine extracts colchicine for safer, dose-controlled use.