Herb Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Da Feng Zi

Chaulmoogra seed · 大风子

Hydnocarpus anthelmintica Pierre. · Semen Hydnocarpi

Also known as: Da Feng Zi (大枫子)

Chaulmoogra seed is a toxic herb used externally in traditional Chinese medicine to treat severe skin diseases like leprosy, syphilitic sores, scabies, and fungal infections. It dispels wind-dampness, attacks toxins, and kills parasites, but must be used with caution under professional guidance due to its toxicity.

Category Herbs that attack toxins, kill parasites, and relieve itching (攻毒杀虫止痒药) Toxic herbs requiring caution (有毒药)
Therapeutic focus Skin health Parasitic infections Fungal infections

TCM Properties

Temperature

Hot

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels entered

Liver, Spleen, Kidneys

Parts used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Da Feng Zi does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Da Feng Zi is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Skin health Parasitic infections Fungal infections

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Da Feng Zi performs to restore balance in the body:

Dispels wind and dries dampness Attacks toxins and kills parasites

How these actions work

'Dispels wind and dries dampness' means Da Feng Zi addresses skin conditions caused by pathogenic wind and dampness, which manifest as itching, oozing, and scaling. Its acrid, hot nature penetrates the skin to disperse these pathogens and dry up excess moisture.

'Attacks toxins and kills parasites' refers to its direct action against infectious agents like scabies mites, fungi, and the bacteria associated with leprosy and syphilitic sores. Because it is toxic, it is used externally to eradicate these pathogens while minimizing systemic effects.

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Da Feng Zi is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, scabies is seen as an invasion of external parasites combined with dampness and wind, leading to intense itching, papules, and burrows. The condition is often worse at night and in warm environments.

Why Da Feng Zi Helps

Da Feng Zi directly attacks and kills the scabies mites (parasites) while its acrid, drying nature dispels wind and dries dampness, reducing the moist environment that sustains the infestation. Its toxicity is harnessed externally to eradicate the pathogen.

Also commonly used for

Leprosy

Historically applied as an oil or ointment to skin lesions and nerve damage.

Syphilis

Applied topically to syphilitic sores to dry dampness and kill pathogens.

Acne

Used in diluted topical preparations to reduce inflammatory acne lesions.

Rosacea

Traditional external remedy for rosacea with pustules and redness.

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Hot

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels Entered

Liver Spleen Kidneys

Parts Used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Da Feng Zi — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

Internal: 0.3–1 g (processed as Da Feng Zi Shuang, usually in pills or powders). External: appropriate amount, ground and mixed with oil or applied as paste.

Maximum dosage

Do not exceed 1 g internally. Overdose can cause severe hemolysis, renal failure, and death.

Dosage notes

Internal use is extremely restricted; the herb must be processed to remove toxic oil (Da Feng Zi Shuang). External application can use larger amounts but avoid large open wounds to prevent systemic absorption. All internal use must be supervised by a qualified practitioner.

Preparation

For internal use, the seed must be processed into Da Feng Zi Shuang (defatted seed cream) by pressing out the toxic oil. Decoction is not a standard preparation method; the herb is usually taken as a pill or powder. For external use, grind the raw seed and mix with sesame oil or other bases.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Da Feng Zi does

Processing method

Remove the hard shells, pick out only the clean kernels. Grind the kernels into a paste, wrap in several layers of absorbent paper, and either steam or heat until the oil melts and is absorbed by the paper. Press firmly to remove as much fatty oil as possible. The remaining defatted powder is the cream.

How it changes properties

Removing most of the fatty oil (containing toxic chaulmoogric acid) greatly reduces the hot, toxic nature while preserving the actions of expelling wind, drying dampness, attacking toxins, and killing parasites. The processed form is less irritating and has a safer profile for internal use.

When to use this form

Always use this processed form for any internal administration. External use may employ the raw seed, but the cream is preferred for safety.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Da Feng Zi for enhanced therapeutic effect

Ku Shen
Ku Shen 1:3 (Da Feng Zi oil 1 part : Ku Shen powder 3 parts)

Da Feng Zi attacks toxins and kills parasites; Ku Shen clears heat, dries dampness, and also kills parasites. Together they powerfully treat severe, stubborn skin diseases like leprosy and scabies with intense itching and damp lesions.

When to use: For wind-damp-toxin skin diseases such as leprosy, syphilitic sores, and scabies with pronounced dampness and itching.

Liu Huang
Liu Huang Equal parts, often prepared as an ointment

Da Feng Zi kills parasites and dries dampness; Liu Huang (sulfur) directly kills scabies mites and relieves itching. The combination is highly effective for scabies.

When to use: For scabies with intense itching, especially when lesions are moist.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Ku Shen
Da Feng Zi vs Ku Shen

Both kill parasites and relieve itching, but Ku Shen is cold and clears heat, making it suitable for damp-heat skin conditions, while Da Feng Zi is hot and treats wind-damp-cold conditions with toxicity. Da Feng Zi is more toxic and reserved for severe, stubborn cases.

She Chuang Zi
Da Feng Zi vs She Chuang Zi

Both are warm/hot and kill parasites, but She Chuang Zi is less toxic and also tonifies kidney yang, while Da Feng Zi is stronger in attacking toxins and is used for more severe skin infections like leprosy.

Therapeutic Substitutes

Legitimate clinical replacements when Da Feng Zi is unavailable, restricted, or contraindicated

Liu Huang

Liu Huang
Liu Huang 硫黄
Sulfur

Covers: Kills scabies mites and relieves itching; used externally for scabies and fungal skin infections.

Does not cover: Does not address the wind-dampness aspect for leprosy or syphilitic sores; less effective for deep-seated damp-toxin conditions.

Use when: When Da Feng Zi is unavailable or its toxicity is a concern, particularly for scabies.

Identity & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Da Feng Zi

Da Feng Zi is sometimes confused with seeds of Entada phaseoloides (榼藤子), which are larger, flatter, and non-toxic, used for promoting blood circulation. True Da Feng Zi seeds are irregularly ovoid with a distinct depression at one end and a very hard shell; the oil has a characteristic strong odor and gives a blue color with trichloroacetic acid/hydrochloric acid test.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Da Feng Zi

Very toxic

The seeds contain 50% fatty oil rich in chaulmoogric acid and hydnocarpic acid, which are toxic. Overdose causes dizziness, headache, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hemolysis, proteinuria, renal damage, and hepatic fatty degeneration. Processing into Da Feng Zi Shuang (defatted seed cream) reduces toxicity by removing most of the oil, but internal use still requires strict dose control (0.3–1 g). In case of poisoning, gastric lavage, activated charcoal, and supportive care (blood transfusion, renal support) are necessary.

Contraindications

Situations where Da Feng Zi should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Pregnancy — the herb is toxic and may cause miscarriage or fetal harm; it is traditionally absolutely contraindicated.

Avoid

Breastfeeding — toxic components may pass into breast milk and harm the infant.

Avoid

Yin deficiency with blood heat — the hot, acrid nature may worsen internal heat and damage yin.

Avoid

Acute gastrointestinal disorders (gastritis, enteritis, gastric ulcer) — the herb is highly irritating and may exacerbate inflammation.

Avoid

Liver or kidney insufficiency — the herb can cause hepatorenal toxicity.

Avoid

Eye disorders — the herb may damage blood and has historically been associated with vision loss.

Caution

Use on large open wounds — systemic absorption of toxic fatty oils may occur.

Avoid

Use in children — high toxicity; no adequate safety data.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated. The herb's toxic fatty acids can cause hemolysis, organ damage, and uterine stimulation. Absolutely forbidden during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Contraindicated. Toxic components may be excreted in breast milk and harm the nursing infant. Avoid use during lactation.

Children

Not recommended for children due to high toxicity and lack of adequate safety data. If absolutely necessary, only under strict practitioner supervision with minimal processed dose.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Da Feng Zi

Theoretical interactions (not well-documented):

  • Nephrotoxic drugs (e.g., aminoglycosides, NSAIDs): additive risk of renal injury.
  • Hepatotoxic drugs (e.g., methotrexate, paracetamol overdose): additive liver stress.
  • Substrates of CYP3A4 (e.g., warfarin, digoxin, some antiepileptics): chaulmoogra oil may alter metabolism, but evidence is lacking.
  • Oral anticoagulants/antiplatelet agents: increased bleeding risk if hemolysis occurs.

Because of the herb's rarity in internal use today, no robust interaction studies exist. Any concomitant use with pharmaceuticals requires extreme caution.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Da Feng Zi

Avoid alcohol and spicy, heating foods that could exacerbate toxic heat. Also avoid large amounts of cold raw foods that may conflict with the herb's hot nature.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Da Feng Zi source plant

Da Feng Zi (大风子) is the seed of Hydnocarpus anthelmintica (and related species), an evergreen tree native to tropical Southeast Asia. The tree reaches 10–20 m in height, with simple, alternate, leathery leaves that are lance-shaped to oblong; young leaves are often purplish-red. Flowers are unisexual, small, and yellowish-green, arranged in clusters. The fruit is a large, spherical, woody berry about 6–10 cm in diameter, containing 30–40 angular brown seeds. Each seed is irregularly ovoid, 2–3 cm long, with a thick, hard shell. The kernel is white, oily, and enclosed in a dark reddish membrane. The tree grows in lowland tropical forests on well-drained soils.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Da Feng Zi is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer to early autumn (May–October), when the fruits are fully mature and the seeds have developed abundant oil.

Primary growing regions

The highest quality originally comes from Thailand (formerly Siam). Today it is mainly cultivated in Southeast Asia; within China, it is grown in Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guangdong, and Taiwan.

Quality indicators

Good quality seeds are large, plump, and heavy. The kernel should be white or pale yellow, oily, and free of rancid odor. Cross-section shows a thick, oily endosperm. Avoid seeds that are shriveled, moldy, or dark in color.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Da Feng Zi and its therapeutic uses

《本草纲目》(Běn Cǎo Gāng Mù)记载：“【气味】辛，热，有毒。【主治】风癣疥癞，杨梅诸疮，攻毒杀虫。”
English: "Acrid, hot, toxic. It treats wind-type skin lesions, scabies, leprosy, syphilitic sores; it attacks toxins and kills parasites."

元·朱震亨 (Zhu Zhenheng) 告诫：“粗工治大风病，佐以大风油。殊不知此物性热，有燥痰之功而伤血，至有病将愈而先失明者。”
English: "Common practitioners treat leprosy with chaulmoogra oil. They do not know that this substance is hot in nature, dries phlegm but damages blood, so that patients may lose their sight just as the disease is improving."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Da Feng Zi's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

大风子 was first recorded in the Ming dynasty supplement to the Ben Cao (《本草衍义补遗》) by Zhu Zhenheng (朱震亨), who noted its use for “great wind disease” (麻风 leprosy) but warned of its blood-damaging toxicity. Li Shizhen later included it in the Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》) and described the preparation of chaulmoogra oil. The name “Da Feng Zi” literally means “great wind seed,” directly referencing leprosy, which was anciently called “大风疮”. In the early 20th century, chaulmoogra oil gained international attention as one of the few effective treatments for leprosy, though its severe toxicity (especially neurotoxicity and hemolysis) limited its use. Today, modern antibiotics have replaced it, but the herb remains a historically significant example of traditional anti-mycobacterial therapy.

Modern Research

A published study investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Da Feng Zi

1

Historical review: Chaulmoogra oil in leprosy treatment (pre-20th century observations)

See historical data summarized in Wallis, R. S. (1913). Leprosy. London.

The oil's sodium salt demonstrated in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. leprae, being over 100 times more potent than phenol, which justified its historical intravenous use. However, severe local and systemic toxicity limited clinical adoption.

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.