Traditionally used for
- Cough & breathing
- Digestion
- Bowel health
- Urinary & fluids
- Menstrual & women's health
- Skin
Cautions & contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Young children
☯ TCM Properties
Expels water and resolves swelling; Breaks up Blood Stasis and eliminates masses; Kills parasites
Traditional Chinese Uses
Qian Jin Zi (Semen Euphorbiae Lathyridis) is the mature seed of caper spurge, Euphorbia lathyris, a harsh, downward-draining purgative. Acrid and warm with recognized toxicity, entering the Lung, Stomach, Kidney, Liver and Large Intestine channels, it drives out Water and disperses swelling for severe edema, ascites and water accumulation with constipation, and it breaks up Blood Stasis to eliminate abdominal masses and treat amenorrhea from stasis. It also kills parasites and is applied externally to stubborn skin lesions, warts and toxic sores.
Because of its toxicity and drastic action, it is used in very small doses, most often as the de-oiled powder (Qian Jin Zi Shuang) prepared by pressing out the fixed oil to reduce harsh purging, and it is given only to robust patients with excess patterns. It is strictly contraindicated in pregnancy and in weak or deficient patients, and can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting and irritation.
Relationships
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Botanical Description
Qian Jin Zi is the mature seed of Euphorbia lathyris L. (Euphorbiaceae), known as caper spurge or mole plant, a biennial herb 60-120 cm tall native to the Mediterranean and now widely naturalized in temperate China. The erect, glaucous, blue-green stem exudes a copious irritant white latex when broken. Sessile, opposite, lanceolate to linear leaves are arranged in decussate pairs, giving the plant a strikingly geometric appearance. Yellow-green cyathia held within paired heart-shaped bracts produce three-lobed capsules 8-15 mm wide; each capsule splits explosively to release three smooth, oval, brown seeds 5-6 mm long with reticulate testae. The seeds are processed (often de-fatted as Qian Jin Zi Shuang) before use and are classified as drastic purgatives that drive out water retention. They are highly toxic and irritant; modern practice limits internal use to processed seeds in carefully controlled small doses by trained practitioners only.
Active Constituents
Euphorbia factor L1
Lathyrane diterpenoid esterConcentration: 4.92 mg/g in unprocessed seed, falling to 3.44 mg/g in the processed drug
The most abundant lathyrane diterpene ester of the seed and one of the principal irritant and cathartic constituents; it is the marker compound used for assay of the drug. Its content drops markedly on processing, which is the pharmacological basis of the traditional detoxification step.
Euphorbia factor L2
Lathyrane diterpenoid esterConcentration: 1.94 mg/g in unprocessed seed, 1.37 mg/g in the processed drug
Cytotoxic lathyrane ester that showed selectivity for the multidrug-resistant KB-VIN cell line over its drug-sensitive parent, consistent with lathyranes acting on P-glycoprotein-expressing cells. Saponification to its tetraol abolishes the activity, showing the ester groups are essential.
Euphorbia factor L8
Lathyrane diterpenoid esterConcentration: 0.43 mg/g in unprocessed seed, 0.29 mg/g in the processed drug
The most cytotoxic of the Euphorbia factors tested against A549, MDA-MB-231, KB, MCF-7 and KB-VIN cells. It arrests cells in G1 to early S phase and causes actin filament aggregation with partial disruption of the microtubule network in vitro.
Euphorbiasteroid (epoxylathyrol diester)
Lathyrane diterpenoid esterConcentration: a major diterpene of the seed oil fraction
Behaves as both a substrate and an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein. At only 1-3 µM it restored the cytotoxicity of vinblastine, paclitaxel and doxorubicin in the P-glycoprotein-overexpressing human sarcoma line MES-SA/Dx5, and P-glycoprotein ATPase assay confirmed substrate behaviour.
Ingenane diterpene esters (including 20-O-hexadecanoylingenol)
Ingenane diterpenoid esterConcentration: minor constituents of the seed oil and latex
These are the skin-irritant and cocarcinogenic (tumour-promoting) principles characterised in caper spurge seed oil and latex. They are the reason the expressed seed oil must never be taken internally and why the fresh latex produces severe dermatitis and keratoconjunctivitis on contact.
Fixed seed oil
Triacylglycerol fixed oilThe bulk of the mature seed and the vehicle that carries the irritant diterpene esters. Because of this the Pharmacopoeia drug intended for internal use is the defatted press cake, Qian Jin Zi Shuang (Semen Euphorbiae Pulveratum), not the whole seed and never the expressed oil.
Esculetin
CoumarinConcentration: one of the most abundant polyphenols of an ethanolic extract of defatted mature seed flour
A simple dihydroxycoumarin that contributes much of the antioxidant capacity of the defatted seed flour extract, which was selectively antiproliferative against T84 and HCT-15 colon carcinoma cells in vitro.
Euphorbetin
BiscoumarinConcentration: one of the most abundant polyphenols of an ethanolic extract of defatted mature seed flour
A dimeric coumarin characteristic of the genus, identified alongside esculetin as a major polyphenol of the defatted seed. It is part of the polyphenol fraction that remains in Qian Jin Zi Shuang after the oil is removed.
Kaempferol-3-rutinoside
Flavonol glycosideConcentration: a major polyphenol of the defatted mature seed flour extract
Contributes to the antioxidant activity of the defatted seed extract. It is not an irritant principle and is not removed by defatting.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Undefatted Euphorbia lathyris seed or expressed seed oil used in place of Qian Jin Zi Shuang
The irritant lathyrane and ingenane diterpene esters of this species partition into the fixed seed oil. Defatting to the press cake (Qian Jin Zi Shuang) is not a cosmetic step: quantitative HPLC-ESI-MS showed Euphorbia factors L1, L2 and L8 fall from 4.92, 1.94 and 0.43 mg/g in unprocessed seed to 3.44, 1.37 and 0.29 mg/g after processing, and the bulk of the irritant oil itself is removed with them. Ingenane esters from this seed oil were characterised by Adolf and Hecker as both irritant and cocarcinogenic.
Clinical note: Dispense only the defatted drug Qian Jin Zi Shuang for internal use, at Pharmacopoeia dose. Never substitute whole seed, ground seed or seed oil. This is a Pharmacopoeia-graded toxic drug: reserve for a practitioner competent in toxic-drug prescribing, and do not use in pregnancy, in the debilitated, or in children.
P-glycoprotein substrates (digoxin, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, vinblastine, paclitaxel, doxorubicin)
Euphorbiasteroid, a lathyrane diterpene of E. lathyris seed, is a P-glycoprotein substrate and inhibitor: at 1-3 µM it reversed P-glycoprotein-mediated resistance to vinblastine, paclitaxel and doxorubicin in MES-SA/Dx5 cells, with substrate behaviour confirmed by P-glycoprotein ATPase assay. Related Euphorbia factors show the same class effect. The evidence is in vitro; no human pharmacokinetic study has been published.
Clinical note: Do not combine with digoxin, ciclosporin, tacrolimus or oral cytotoxics. If a patient on any of these has taken the herb, check drug levels and watch for toxicity.
Digoxin and potassium-depleting drugs (loop and thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids)
The drug is a drastic hydragogue cathartic: its therapeutic effect is profuse watery stool, which carries obligate potassium and fluid loss. Hypokalaemia sensitises the myocardium to cardiac glycosides, and the effect is additive with any other potassium-wasting agent.
Clinical note: Avoid in patients on digoxin, high-dose diuretics or long-term corticosteroids. If used at all, keep the course to a few days, monitor potassium, and stop at the first sign of excessive purgation.
Other drastic purgatives (Ba Dou / Croton tiglium, Qian Niu Zi / Pharbitis, Gan Sui / Euphorbia kansui, senna, bisacodyl)
Qian Jin Zi is itself in the drastic-purgative (jun xia zhu shui) class and shares an irritant diterpene-ester mechanism with Ba Dou and Gan Sui. Stacking it on any other stimulant or hydragogue laxative multiplies fluid and electrolyte loss without adding therapeutic benefit.
Clinical note: Use one drastic purgative at a time and only for a short, defined course. Do not add over-the-counter stimulant laxatives while the patient is taking this herb.
Skin and eye contact with the fresh plant latex (occupational, gardening or during crude-drug preparation)
The milky latex is strongly alkaline and rich in irritant diterpene esters. In one case the ocular surface pH measured 9 after the patient rubbed her eyes having handled the plant. A second case developed bilateral keratoconjunctivitis with corneal oedema and epithelial defects, visual acuity falling to 6/36 and 6/24, and crucially the second eye only became symptomatic 24 to 48 hours after exposure.
Clinical note: Wear gloves and eye protection when handling raw seed or plant material. On ocular exposure irrigate both eyes copiously even if only one is symptomatic, check pH, and arrange ophthalmology follow-up because signs can be delayed by one to two days.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| powder | 1–2 g | — | — | — | ChP 2025. 去壳，去油用，多入丸散服 — dehusked and de-oiled, usually in pills or powder. Contraindicated in pregnancy. Corrected from a generic 6-15g decoction filler value generated from tcm_category. |
| topical | Appropriate amount | — | — | — | ChP 2025. 外用适量，捣烂敷患处。 |
Evidence Tier
Moderate evidence · 4 studiesRecorded studies by study design, strongest design at the top. This is a study-design tier only, not a GRADE rating: it does not weigh risk of bias, consistency or precision.
Systematic review / meta-analysis
0
Randomized controlled trial
0
Other clinical trial
0
Observational / case report
0
In vitro / animal
4
0 verified · 4 unverified
Show 4 studies
- Mechanism of action of cytotoxic compounds from the seeds of Euphorbia lathyris
- Euphorbiasteroid reverses P-glycoprotein-mediated multi-drug resistance in human sarcoma cell line MES-SA/Dx5
- Antitumor Effect of the Ethanolic Extract from Seeds of Euphorbia lathyris in Colorectal Cancer
- Lathyrane-type diterpenoids from the seeds of Euphorbia lathyris
Other / unclassified
0
Verified: design read from PubMed for a DOI that resolves to the cited paper Unverified: taken from the study's recorded description
Clinical Studies
Mechanism of action of cytotoxic compounds from the seeds of Euphorbia lathyris
Five lathyrane diterpenoids from E. lathyris seed (Euphorbia factors L1, L2, L3, L8 and L9) were screened against A549, MDA-MB-231, KB, MCF-7 and the multidrug-resistant KB-VIN lines. Euphorbia factor L9 was the most cytotoxic across all lines and L2 was selective for KB-VIN. Factors L3 and L9 arrested cells between G1 and early S phase without affecting G2/M, and factors L2 to L9 induced actin filament aggregation with partial disruption of the microtubule network. Substitutions at C-3, C-5, C-7 and C-15 governed both potency and cell-type selectivity.
Euphorbiasteroid reverses P-glycoprotein-mediated multi-drug resistance in human sarcoma cell line MES-SA/Dx5
Euphorbiasteroid isolated from E. lathyris restored the cytotoxicity of vinblastine, paclitaxel and doxorubicin in the multidrug-resistant sarcoma line MES-SA/Dx5 at concentrations as low as 1-3 µM, while the drug-sensitive parent line MES-SA was unaffected. A Bayesian model gave a 97 percent probability of P-glycoprotein substrate likeness, confirmed experimentally by P-glycoprotein ATPase assay. This is the main in vitro basis for expecting P-glycoprotein-mediated drug interactions with this herb.
Antitumor Effect of the Ethanolic Extract from Seeds of Euphorbia lathyris in Colorectal Cancer
An ethanolic extract of defatted flour from mature E. lathyris seed, in which esculetin, euphorbetin, gaultherin and kaempferol-3-rutinoside were the most abundant polyphenols, showed selective antiproliferative activity against T84 and HCT-15 colon cancer cells and against glioblastoma cells. Cell death was mediated by overexpression of caspases 9, 3 and 8 and by autophagy activation, with reduced migration, an antiangiogenic effect on HUVECs and a smaller cancer stem cell subpopulation. All findings are in cell culture; no in vivo data were reported.
Lathyrane-type diterpenoids from the seeds of Euphorbia lathyris
Ten new lathyrane diterpenoids (Euphorbia factors L12 to L21) plus twelve known diterpenoids were isolated from E. lathyris seed and characterised by spectroscopy, with the configuration of Euphorbia factor L12 confirmed by X-ray crystallography and circular dichroism. Five of the compounds showed appreciable cytotoxicity against C6 glioma and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 12.4-36.2 µM. The paper documents how chemically heterogeneous the diterpene fraction of this seed is.
Historical Texts
Shu Ben Cao
Later Shu, tenth centuryKai Bao Ben Cao
Northern Song dynasty, 973-974Ben Cao Gang Mu
Ming dynasty, 1596References
- Hou XR, Wan LL, Zhan ZJ, Li CP, Shan WG. Analysis and determination of diterpenoids in unprocessed and processed Euphorbia lathyris seeds by HPLC–ESI-MS . Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis (2011) [DOI]
- Adolf W, Hecker E. Further new diterpene esters from the irritant and cocarcinogenic seed oil and latex of the caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris L.) . Experientia (1971) [DOI]
- Kok LT, Bizrah M, Cordeiro MF, Din N. Exposure to Caper Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) Sap: A Case of Ocular and Periorbital Toxicity . Case Reports in Ophthalmology (2024) [DOI]
- Ioannidis AS, Papageorgiou KI, Andreou PS. Exposure to Euphorbia lathyris latex resulting in alkaline chemical injury: a case report . Journal of Medical Case Reports (2009) [DOI]
- Wang X, Xu Y, Wang Y, Lin F, Li H, Chen L. Diterpenoids from Euphorbia lathyris L.: a comprehensive review update . Phytochemistry Reviews (2025) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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