gan sui

甘遂·Radix Kansui

gansui root

Very toxic

Toxicity graded by Sacred Lotus.

About gan sui

Gan Sui (甘遂) is the root of kansui, a plant of the spurge family, recorded as Radix Kansui. It is bitter and sweet in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Lung, Kidney and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the harsh expellants.

Names

Pinyingan sui
Chinese甘遂
Latin NameRadix Kansui
English Namegansui root·Kan-Sui Root
Japanesekansui
Koreankamsu

Classification

Channels
Lung, Large Intestine, Kidney
Flavour
Sweet, Bitter
Temperature
Cold
Part used
Root
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Species
Euphorbia Kansui
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Drains water downward and drives out congested fluids

  • Severe fluid collecting in the chest and abdomen, such as ascites or pleural effusion, in a strong patient with an Excess pattern
  • Generalised edema with facial swelling and a distended abdomen
  • Acts by forceful purging and urination rather than gentle draining

Expels Phlegm

  • Epilepsy when Phlegm blocks the orifices of the Heart
  • Seizures due to Wind-Phlegm
  • Withdrawal and mania from stubborn Phlegm that has congealed
  • Phlegm and fluid collected in the chest and rib-sides, which feel full, hard and painful

Clears Heat, reduces swelling and disperses nodules (topical)

  • Swollen, painful, nodular skin lesions of Damp-Heat, applied externally in the early stage while herbs that clear Heat and toxicity are taken by mouth

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 0.5-1.5g; Powder: 0.3-1g; Tincture: 0.25-0.1ml (6-25 drops)0.5-1.5 g0.25-0.1 ml

Cautions

Interactions

Incompatible with

Antagonistic with

Drug interactions