This product is the tuberous root of the perennial herb Gansui Root (Euphorbia kansui T. N. Liou ex T. P. Wang) from the Peking Euphorbia Root family. It is mainly produced in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, and other regions. It is harvested in late autumn or early spring. The outer skin is removed by pounding, and then it is dried in the sun. It is used after being processed with vinegar.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter, cold, toxic. Act on lung, kidney and large intestine meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Draining water to expel fluid, subduing swelling and dissipating bind.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for edema, tympanites, and fluid retention in the chest and hypochondrium. This product is bitter and cold in nature, with a descending property, and is effective in moving water-dampness through the meridians. It has a strong effect on draining water and expelling fluid retention, and can cause continuous diarrhea after administration, allowing the retained fluid to be excreted from the body. It can be used for edema, abdominal tympanites, and fluid retention in the chest and hypochondrium when the healthy qi is not depleted. It can be taken alone as a powder; or taken together with Pharbitis Seed, as in the Shengji Zonglu Erqi Decoction; or combined with Peking Euphorbia Root and Lilac Daphne as a powder, taken with jujube decoction, such as Ten Jujubes Decoction.
2. Used for wind-phlegm epilepsy. Gansui Root also has the effect of expelling phlegm and can be used for wind-phlegm epilepsy. Gansui Root powder is stewed with pig heart and then made into pills with Cinnabar powder, such as Suixin Dan.
3. Used for sores, abscesses, and swelling. This product can be applied externally to subdue swelling and dissipate bind. For sores, abscesses, and swelling, Gansui Root powder can be mixed with water and applied externally.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "It governs large abdominal hernias and masses, abdominal distension and fullness, facial and eye swelling, persistent fluid retention, and retained food. It breaks stuffiness and abdominal masses, and benefits the water and grain passages."
2. Zhenzhunang: "It has a bitter taste and cold qi. The bitter nature purges, cold dominates heat, and it directly reaches the places where water and heat are congealed, making it a sacred medicine for draining water. In cases of water thoracic accumulation, nothing but this can remove it, hence Zhongjing used it in the Major Chest Bind Decoction. However, it is toxic and should not be used lightly."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Take 0.5-1g in pill or powder form. Apply externally as needed, mainly used. For internal use, process with vinegar to reduce toxicity.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Weak individuals and pregnant women should avoid use. Incompatible with Liquorice Root.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds α- and γ-Peking Euphorbia Root alcohol, Gansui Root alcohol, and Peking Euphorbia Root diene alcohol; in addition, it also contains Windmill Palm acid, citric acid, tannins, resins, etc. The Gansui Root alcohol extract has a significant laxative effect on mice, stimulating the intestinal mucosa, causing inflammatory congestion and increased peristalsis, resulting in severe diarrhea; its toxic side effects are significant and can cause difficulty breathing, decreased blood pressure, etc.; after vinegar processing, both its laxative effect and toxicity are reduced.