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Gansui (Radix Kansui)

Taste: Bitter, sweet. Nature: Cold to Great Cold. Toxicity: Toxic. Indications: Mainly treats large abdominal hernia and masses (dafa shanzha), abdominal fullness, edema of the face and eyes, retained fluid (liuyin) with old food stagnation, breaks up hard accumulations and mass formations, promotes urination and defecation, eliminates five types of water retention, dissipates residual heat in the bladder, skin痞 (pi) conditions, and heat-induced swelling and fullness. Also known as Ganze, Lingze, Lingze, Chongze, Zhutian. Grows in valleys of Zhongshan. Roots are harvested in February and dried in the shade. (Guadi (Melon Peduncle) acts as a guiding herb; it is incompatible with Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) and counteracts Gancao (Licorice Root).)

Tao Hongjing stated: Zhongshan is located in Dai Commandery. The earliest records indicate origin from Mount Tai. Recently, Jiangdong region uses those from Jingkou, but they are significantly different. Those with red skin are superior. White-skinned ones are also available in the capital, named "Caogansui" (Herbal Gansui), which is extremely inferior. This refers to counterfeit herbal substitutes, not herbs within mineral or herbal categories. The Commentary on the Tang Materia Medica notes: What is called "Caogansui" is actually Xiuxiu (Paris polyphylla), which has completely different therapeutic properties. True Gansui seedlings resemble Zeqi (Euphorbia lathyris) herbs; the stem is single, bearing six or seven leaves, resembling those of Ricinus communis (Castor Bean) or Arisaema (Arisaema spp.). Eating one sheng raw does not induce purgation; it is mainly used to treat carbuncles, sores, and snake venom. True Gansui typically has red skin and white flesh, forming a beaded structure, with solid and heavy specimens being of good quality. There are no white-skinned true Gansui; white-skinned ones are Xiuxiu, commonly known as Chongtai. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to the Treatise on the Properties of Medicinals, state: Jing Gansui tastes bitter, can purge twelve types of water diseases, treats hardness and fullness of the heart and abdomen, promotes water passage, removes phlegm-fluids, and treats edema of skin and muscles. Ri Huazi said: Those from western Jingxi are best; those from Bian, Cang, and Wu are secondary. They resemble Hedpi Gancao (Licorice with skin), cut into segments.

The Illustrated Classic states: Gansui grows in valleys of Zhongshan. It is now also found in Shaanxi and Jiangdong. Some say those from western Jingxi are best, while those from Bian, Cang, and Wu are secondary. Seedlings resemble Zeqi, with short stems and juicy leaves. Roots have red skin and white flesh, forming a beaded shape. They also resemble Hedpi Gancao. Roots are harvested in February, cut into segments, and dried in the shade. Solid and heavy specimens are superior. There is another type called Caogansui, with a single stem bearing six or seven leaves at the tip, resembling Ricinus communis or Arisaema leaves. Its efficacy is extremely poor; eating one sheng raw does not cause diarrhea. The Tang Commentary notes: Caogansui is Xiuxiu. Xiuxiu has its own entry. Ancient formulas also use it alone for purging water. The Short Formulas: Treats lower abdominal fullness during pregnancy, difficulty in urination and defecation, and急促 breathing (qi ji), when previous treatment with Zhuling San (Polyporus Powder) failed. Method for using Gansui San (Powder): Take 2 liang of red-skinned Gansui from Mount Tai, grind and sieve into powder, mix with 2 liang of white honey, and form pills the size of soybeans. If one feels心烦 (heart vexation), and slight diarrhea occurs, take once daily. After purging, if Zhuling San is ineffective again, do not administer further doses immediately; daily dosage can gradually increase to half a qianbi (measure), stopping at mild diarrhea, interspersed with powder administration. See Zhuling San under the entry for Zhuling.

Lei Gong said: After harvesting, remove stems, finely chop on a locust wood cutting board, soak for three days in a mixture of raw Gancao decoction and natural juice of Xiaoqi (Shepherd's Purse). The liquid turns black like ink. Filter out, wash six or seven times with flowing water from the east until the water runs clear. Filter out, and dry in earthenware vessels until crisp for use. The Emergency Manual: Treats sudden generalized edema, with massive swelling of the body and face. Take 1 fen of Gansui powder, one pig kidney cut into seven pieces, insert Gansui powder inside, roast over fire until cooked. Eat between 4:00 and 5:00 AM. One should feel borborygmus in the abdomen and flanks, and urine will become smooth. Yang Shi’s Obstetrics and Lactature treats abdominal fullness, difficulty in urination and defecation, and急促 breathing. Take 2 fen of Gansui powder, divide into five doses, swallow with cooked water. If heart vexation is felt and slight diarrhea occurs, take once daily.

Yanyi says: Gansui currently only uses the beaded variety, although this is not mentioned in the Classic. This drug specifically moves water and acts by attacking and resolving; its use in prescriptions requires careful consideration.