Latin name: Acanthus ilicifolius
Other
name(s): Sea holy, lao she lu (C)
Name of simplicia: Acanthi Radix
Daruju grows wild in coastal areas and river
sides, or other muddy soils with brackish water. This annual shrub grows in
clumps and has a soft stem that grows erect or lies down on its base, and can
reach a height of 0.5 -2 meters tall. The soft brownish cylindrical stem has a
smooth surface with long sharp spines.
The single leaf has a short stalk and grows crosswise to each other. It has the form of a lancet with a sharp tip and base, while the edge forms curvatures with a sticky thorn on each curvature junction. The size of the leaf ranges from 9 – 30 centimeters long and 4 – 12 centimeters in width. The violet blue compound flowers blossom at the end of the branch and form a cone-shape of about 6 – 30 centimeters long.
The brown black fruit has an egg shape of about 3 centimeters long, with 2 – 4 kidney shaped seeds. Daruju has a straight root which is white-yellowish in color and contains flavone and amino acids. It is cultivated by seed planting
MEDICINAL
PART: roots, leaves and seeds. Before using the root, it should be clean
washed, and cut to thin slices prior to drying.
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS: Daruju root has a bitter
taste with a cold nature, and provides anti-inflammatory and expectorant
properties. The seeds can be used as blood cleanser, boils and ascariasis (worm
infection)
INDICATION: Acute and chronic hepatitis;
enlargement of liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegali), enlargement of lymph
nodes (lymphadenopathy); enlargement of lymph nodes due to tuberculosis
(scrophuloderma); mumps; bronchial asthma; ascariasis; epigastric pain;
stomachache; cancer, especially hepatomes or cancer of the liver
DOSAGE AND USAGE: General: decoction; prepare
30 – 60 grams of the fried roots and boil in water or steam it with beef meat.
Topical: fine grind the dried root to powder, than sprinkle it on the wound or
skin affected by poison.
For specific indication as mentioned above the
usage and dosage of Daruju is as follows:
Cancer
Bring to boil 30 – 120 grams of dried roots
and 60 – 120 grams of fat free beef meat in 500 ml of water in a ceramic bowl
or enamel pan at low heat for 6 hours, until left to 1 cup of 100 ml. Add hot
water if the amount of decoction is less than 1 cup within 6 hours while
continue boiling. Strain off after cooling, and divide the decoction in two
portions or half a cup each. Drink twice, in the morning and afternoon. To
enhance taste, you can add some honey. Repeat this every day until the cancer
ceased
Acute and chronic hepatitis
Cut 60 grams of dried root to thin slices.
Put it in an enamel pan and bring it to boil with 500 ml of clean water on low
heat until left to 100 ml. Strain off after cooling, and divide the decoction
in two portions or half a cup each. Drink twice, in the morning and afternoon.
To enhance taste, you can add some honey.
Wound due to poisonous weapons (knifes, arrow)
Chew the dried root until fine, then apply
the roots onto the wound and cover with a bandage. Repeat this 2 – 3 times a
day until the wound gets better.
Boils
Fine grind 4 pieces of Daruju seeds. Soak the
powder with a cup of plain water. Drink this at once and repeat this every day
until the boil gets better
Ascariasis
Fine grind 3 – 5 pieces of Daruju seeds. Soak
in ½ cup of warm water. Let it cool down, and then drink at once. Repeat this
for 2 – 4 days
CONTRA-INDICATIONS: None
IMPORTANT NOTE
The recipes and techniques mentioned in this page are not
meant to replace diagnosis and treatment of a medical practioner. Before using
any of these recipes, the author recommends to consult a physician. All the
recipes has been used without any side effects and are considered safe.
However, since some people have more sensitive skin or digestive system than
others, and since the user’s actual recipe preparation is beyond the control of
the author, the author accept no liability with regard to the use of recipes or
techniques contained in this page
May God bless you and your family. Have a nice day
May God bless you and your family. Have a nice day
