Kansui Root Whole (Euphorbia Kansui)

Kansui Root Whole (Euphorbia kansui) is the fully dried root of a powerful purgative herb known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Gān Suì (甘遂). One of the strongest downward-draining herbs in the materia medica, Kansui is traditionally used to break up water retention, expel phlegm-fluid accumulation, eliminate edema, and clear severe congestion. Its energetic nature is bitter, acrid, and cold, with a highly potent, forceful action that directly drains water through the bowels and disperses stubborn internal fluid buildup.

In TCM, Gan Sui enters the Kidney, Lung, and Large Intestine channels, where it drives out retained fluids, resolves phlegm congestion in the chest, and treats conditions involving ascites, abdominal distention, pleural effusion, edema in the limbs, and phlegm-fluid accumulation causing cough or breathing difficulty. It is also a classical herb for hard swellings, scrofula, and masses resulting from stubborn accumulation. Its drastic nature makes it a specialized herb used only in carefully controlled amounts.

Gan Sui is one of the traditional “Ten Toxic Herbs” due to its intensity, meaning it must be used correctly and sparingly, always with professional guidance. In classical formulas, it is often paired with Gan Cao (licorice) in specific ratio-controlled preparations—except that Gan Sui and Gan Cao must never be used together improperly, as they are traditionally considered mutually antagonistic unless in a regulated classical prescription.

In folk and historical practice, Kansui Root was used to purge fluid retention, relieve severe constipation due to fluid accumulation, and open the bowels when phlegm-water obstructed the middle and upper burner. Modern household use is extremely rare due to its strength.

Modern studies show that Euphorbia kansui contains diterpenes and resin-like compounds responsible for its intense purgative, antitumor, antiviral, and fluid-draining effects. These constituents explain its ability to rapidly expel water, reduce masses, and clear stubborn phlegm-fluid congestion, but they also underscore the need for careful dosing and supervision.

Each batch of Kansui Root Whole (Euphorbia kansui) is thoroughly cleaned and dried to preserve its dense texture, pale-yellow color, and potent draining properties. When decocted under professional guidance, it produces a strong, bitter, intensely purgative infusion used in classical contexts to break up fluid retention, drive out phlegm-water, and reduce severe swelling or accumulation.