Gansui-Banxia Decoction，From *The Golden Cabinet* (Volume Middle).，For phlegm-fluid retention where the patient’s pulse is hidden, the patient desires to have a bowel movement, and defecation brings temporary relief, yet the epigastric region remains persistently hard and full—this indicates that retained fluid is about to be expelled; also for cases of fluid retention characterized by epigastric fullness and pain, a desire to vomit, or cramping pain in the chest and abdomen.
Gansui-Banxia Decoction
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Formulas Name : Gansui-Banxia Decoction
Chinese Name : 甘遂半夏汤
Drug Formulation
3 large pieces of Gan Sui, 12 pieces of Ban Xia (boil in 1 sheng of water until reduced to half a sheng; strain out the residue), 5 pieces of Peony Root, 1 piece of Licorice (the size of a finger, roasted).
Source
From *The Golden Cabinet* (Volume Middle).
Benefits
For phlegm-fluid retention where the patient’s pulse is hidden, the patient desires to have a bowel movement, and defecation brings temporary relief, yet the epigastric region remains persistently hard and full—this indicates that retained fluid is about to be expelled; also for cases of fluid retention characterized by epigastric fullness and pain, a desire to vomit, or cramping pain in the chest and abdomen.
Instructions for Use
Boil 2 sheng of water down to half a sheng, strain out the residue, mix the decoction with half a sheng of honey, and simmer until reduced to 8 he; take the entire dose at once.
Copyright: Excerpt from From *The Golden Cabinet* (Volume Middle)., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 24, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 24, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 24, 2026
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Gansui-Banxia Decoction,For phlegm-fluid retention where the patient’s pulse is hidden, the patient desires to have a bowel movement, and defecation brings temporary relief, yet the epigastric region remains persistently hard and full—this indicates that retained fluid is about to be expelled; also for cases of fluid retention characterized by epigastric fullness and pain, a desire to vomit, or cramping pain in the chest and abdomen.