Many people are unfamiliar with Gan Sui, mainly because it is not commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is mostly used for clearing heat and promoting diuresis, and treating sores and swellings. However, it is important to note that Gan Sui is a poisonous herb, so extra caution should be exercised when using it!
The Medicinal Value of Gan Sui
Gan Sui has been widely used in clinical practice to treat various diseases. Its main applications are as follows:
1. It is mainly used to treat chest and abdominal accumulations of water. It has similar indications and uses as Qian Niu Zi, but it is only used for those with strong vital energy and excessive pathogenic factors.
2. It is used to treat ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis. It is often combined with other diuretic and qi-invigorating herbs such as Ren Shen (Ginseng), Chong Sun Jian (Bamboo Shavings), Hei Qian Niu (Black Qian Niu), Chen Xiang (Aquilaria) and Rou Gui (Cinnamon) for good swelling-reducing effects.
3. It is used to treat pleural effusion caused by exudative pleurisy. In acute cases with symptoms of excessive heat, such as hot flashes, chest pain, constipation, dry and thirsty mouth, and restlessness, it is considered as a "chest congestion" pattern. Gan Sui alone is not powerful enough in this case, and it should be combined with Da Huang (Rhubarb) and Yuan Ming Fen (Sodium Bicarbonate) to form the Da Xian Xiong Tang formula.
4. It is used to treat edema in patients with nephritis (both acute and chronic). Take 6g of Gan Sui, grind it into powder, put it into a male pig's kidney wrapped in bamboo paper moistened with water, then simmer it until cooked. Cut the pig kidney into 7 pieces, and take 1 piece daily. Swelling reduction usually starts after consuming 4-5 pieces.
Side Effects and Contraindications of Gan Sui
Due to the strong nature of Gan Sui, it is important not to self-administer it. It is best to use it under the guidance of a doctor for safety. The side effects and contraindications of Gan Sui are mainly as follows:
1. Pregnant women should avoid using it. Generally, it should be discontinued after recovery from the illness.
2. It is recommended to use simmered Gan Sui or Gan Sui processed with vinegar to reduce its side effects, such as vomiting. The acetic acid treatment can also reduce the toxic and irritating effects of Gan Sui. Raw Gan Sui has strong toxicity and purgative effects, so it should not be used.
3. According to traditional experience, Gan Sui should not be combined with Yuan Hua (Daphne Genkwa) and Da Ji (Euphorbia). However, the preliminary results of modern experiments are inconsistent. Some reports indicate that, based on experiments on rabbits, combining Gan Sui (or Yuan Hua, Da Ji) with Gan Cao (Licorice) did not produce any significant changes in respiration, heart rate, body temperature, pupillary response, or gastrointestinal function. However, other experiments have shown that the combination of Gan Sui and Gan Cao produces different reactions depending on the dosage ratio.
