Pinyin: Gan Sui  Chinese: 甘遂
Pharmaceutical: Radix Euphorbia Kansui
English: Sweet Spurge Root

Tastes: Bitter, cold, toxic
Meridians Entered: Lung, Kidney, and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Drains water downward and eliminates congested fluids and thin mucus
   Severe accumulation of fluid in the chest and abdomen Generalized oedema, facial oedema and abdominal distention
2. Expels Phlegm
   Epilepsy due to Phlegm Blocking the Heart Orifices Seizures from Wind-Phlegm Withdrawal mania from recalcitrant Phlegm congealing and clumping
3. Clears Heat, reduces swelling and disperses hardenings
   Swollen, painful, nodular Damp-Heat skin lesions (topical-appropriate for early stages, with oral ingestion of herbs that clear Heat and resolve toxicity)

Standard Dosage: 0.5-1g in powder form. The active form does not dissolve in water so decoction should be avoided.
Cautions: It is contraindicated to the pregnant women and those anxious about their health. It is antagonistic to Gan Cao.

Pinyin: Hong Da Ji  Chinese: 紅大戟
Pharmaceutical: Radix Knoxiae
English: Knoxia Root

Tastes: Bitter, cold, slightly toxic
Meridians Entered: Lung, Spleen and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Drains water downward and drives out thin mucus
   Relatively moderate accumulation of Fluids in the chest and flanks with labored breathing, dull pain in the lateral aspect of the chest, expectoration of thick sputum and a thick, greasy tongue coat
   For very severe conditions, use Jing Da Ji
2. Reduces swelling and dissipates nodules
   Topically for red, swollen, painful and toxic sores or scrofula

Standard Dosage: 1-3g in decoction or 0.3-1g as powder, pills or soaked in wine.
Cautions: It is contraindicated to the weak and pregnant women.

Pinyin: Bai Jie Zi  Chinese: 白芥子
Pharmaceutical: Semen Brassicae Albae
Taxonomy: Brassica syn. Sinapis alba
English: Mustard Seed

Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Lung and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Warms the Lungs, regulates Qi and expels Phlegm
   Accumulation of Cold-Phlegm with cough with copious thin sputum, chest distention and pain, especially in chronic disorders
   Main ingredient of San Fu Moxibustion (三伏灸) where it is ground, mixed with ginger juice and other herbs, and applied topically for the irritant properties to replace the heat of lighted herbs. It is done to treat respiratory disorders that get worse in winter and performed on the three Fu (Yang Metal) days over the 3 months of summer.
2. Promotes Qi movement, dissipates nodules, unblocks the collaterals and alleviates pain
   Phlegm-Dampness Accumulating in the Channels
   Yin flat abscess
   Spreading sores Phlegm nodules (scrofula)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
Cautions: This herb has strong stimulation to the skin mucosa and will easily cause redness swelling and blisters. Therefore, it is prohibited for those with digestive tract ulcer and bleeding and skin allergies. Do not use in high doses.