Cirsium japonicum  大 蓟 Dà jǐ, Bai ji   Prickly turnip, Japanese Thistle   Family: Asteraceae  
PART USED: Roots. Also above ground.
Nature- cool, cold     FLAVOR: Sweet, bitter, sharp  CHANNEL:  Liver, Spleen, Lung, Heart, Kidney
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Regulating Blood- Styptic
1. Regulate Blood.
2. Cool Blood, disperse bruises, stop bleeding.[3]
3. Diuretic:[3] disperse swellings and carbuncles. Anti-inflammatory.
INDICATIONS
1. Hemorrhage due to Heat: Uterine bleeding.[1] Hematuria.[1] Nose bleed.[1,3] Hematemesis.[1,3] Traumatic bleeding.[1] Vaginal bleeding. Bleeding gums.[3]
2. Carbuncles. Boils and carbuncles.[1] Carbuncles and swelling.
3. Acute appendicitis.[1]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Pregnancy. Use with caution when the Stomach and Spleen are weak and deficient. It should be used with  dates or honey to Warm the Stomach. Otherwise, due to its cold nature, this may injure the Stomach Qi.[3] Take care with weak deficient conditions.[3]
PREPARATIONS:  Root and above Ground. Decoction.  Dried roots, 30 g each time.[1] Whole plant 9-15 g.[3]

HABITAT: Grows wild on sunny slopes.
DESCRIPTION: Perennial herb. Roots; adventitious, numerous, in spindle shape. Stem; erect, strong, covered with white woolly hairs. Basal leaves; clustered, petioled. Stem leaves alternate, no petioles. Leaves; obovate elliptical-rounded, margins irregularly parted, lobes serrated, barbs of varying lengths at tips. Flowers; appear in summer, reddish-purple growing from the top, in a racemose inflorescence. Acheme; elliptical-shaped and flat.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Research

Cirsium japonicum flavones enhance adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells.
Liao Z, Wu Z, Wu M.
Abstract
Cirsium japonicum flavones have been demonstrated to possess anti-diabetic effects in diabetic rats, but the functional mechanism remains unknown. The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) plays an important role in glucose and lipid homeostasis. In this study, we report the effects of Cirsium japonicum flavones (pectolinarin and 5,7-dihydroxy-6,4-dimethoxy flavone) on PPARγ activation, adipocyte differentiation, and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells. Reporter gene assays and Oil Red O staining showed that Cirsium japonicum flavones induced PPARγ activation and enhanced adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, Cirsium japonicum flavones increased the expression of PPARγ target genes, such as adiponectin and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and enhanced the translocation of intracellular GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. In mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Cirsium japonicum flavones significantly enhanced the basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. The flavones-induced effects in 3T3-L1 cells were abolished by the PPARγ antagonist, GW9662, and by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, wortmannin. This study suggests that Cirsium japonicum flavones promote adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake by inducing PPARγ activation and then modulating the insulin signaling pathway in some way, which could benefit diabetes patients.
Biol Pharm Bull. 2012;35(6):855-60. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The ethanol extract of Cirsium japonicum increased chloride ion influx through stimulating GABA(A) receptor in human neuroblastoma cells and exhibited anxiolytic-like effects in mice.
Dela Peña IJ, Lee HL, Yoon SY, Dela Peña JB, Kim HK, Hong EY, Cheong JH.
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of the ethanol extract of Cirsium japonicum (CJ) in mice. The extract was orally administered at dosages of 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg of body weight. The CJ-induced behavioral changes were assessed using the open-field and elevated-plus maze test. The ethanol extract of CJ did not affect overall locomotor activity of mice in the open-field test, however, it showed increase exploration in the unprotected center zone, which is thought to reflect anxiolyticlike effects. Furthermore, the CJ extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly increased the percentage of time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze, indicating the anxiolytic effects of the substance. This anxiolytic effects of the extract were comparable to that of the benzodiazepine, diazepam. To further characterize the anxiolytic activities of CJ, its action on human neuroblastoma cells were assessed. The CJ extract dose-dependently increased chloride ion Cl- influx, which was blocked by coadministration of the GABA(A) receptor competitive antagonist, bicuculline, suggesting a GABA(A) receptor - Cl- channel mechanism of action. Taken altogether, the present study demonstrates that the ethanol extract of CJ has anxiolytic effects, probably mediated through GABAergic neurotransmission.
Drug Discov Ther. 2013 Feb;7(1):18-23. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ethanol extract of Cirsium japonicum attenuates hepatic lipid accumulation via AMPK activation in human HepG2 cells.
Wan Y, Liu LY, Hong ZF, Peng J.
Abstract
One of the most common causes of chronic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is strongly associated with obesity and dysregulated insulin action in the liver. However, there are no pharmacological agents currently established for the treatment of NAFLD. A flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, Cirsium japonicum (CJ), exhibits a variety of pharmacological and antioxidative properties that promote hepatoprotection. In the present study, CJ ethanol extract was shown to reduce hepatic triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol accumulation. CJ significantly increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in HepG2 hepatocytes and downregulated the level of the target genes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase. In addition, CJ upregulated the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, which is involved in fatty acid oxidation. The results of the present study indicated that the positive effects of CJ extract on high-fat diet-induced hepatic TG accumulation were mediated via the AMPK signaling pathway, indicating a potential target for the preventative treatment of NAFLD.
Exp Ther Med. 2014 Jul;8(1):79-84. Epub 2014 Apr 25. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov