Japanese Thistle
Overview
Thistle — daegye, the larger of two related entries the Donguibogam records side by side — is distinguished from its smaller cousin sogye (小薊) with real botanical precision: daegye grows three to four feet tall with wrinkled leaves, while sogye stands barely a foot with smooth ones. The text notes daegye resolves stasis and swelling as well as bleeding, while sogye specializes narrowly in stopping blood.
In the Donguibogam
寶鑑
Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam
- Resolves blood stasis
- Stops bleeding
- Resolves toxin and swelling
- Nourishes essence and blood
Traditional applications recorded in the classical text
- Nosebleed or blood-tinged spitting
- Boils and scabies
- Vaginal discharge
- Blood stasis conditions
Traditional preparation
The leaf or root is decocted.
This describes traditional preparation recorded in the classics, not a recommendation for use today. DonguiHub does not provide dosage guidance — consult a qualified professional before using any herb.
Cautions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between daegye (大薊) and sogye (小薊)?
The Donguibogam gives a precise botanical distinction: daegye grows 3–4 feet tall with wrinkled leaves and treats both stasis/swelling and bleeding, while sogye is barely a foot tall with smooth leaves and specializes narrowly in stopping blood.
Is this the common roadside thistle?
Yes — Cirsium japonicum is a common thistle found across Korea, recorded in the Donguibogam mainly for bleeding, boils, and vaginal discharge.
Sources
- 『동의보감』 탕액편, 허준, 1613 (원문) — 한문 원문
- 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 원문 및 국역 자료 참조