Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan — Sweet Dew Eliminate Toxin Pill

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

What is Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan?

Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan — Sweet Dew Eliminate Toxin Pill — is a classical Qing dynasty formula from Wang Mengying’s Wen Re Jing Wei (1852) for Damp-Heat warm-disease with mixed Damp and toxin features. In Chinese herbal medicine it is widely used for acute viral hepatitis, mumps with hepatosplenomegaly, and stubborn damp-heat skin conditions with toxin features.

I prescribe Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan TCM pattern

Prescribed for Damp-Heat with toxin at the Qi level: low-to-moderate fever, marked heaviness of head and body, chest oppression, sticky bitter taste, possible jaundice, possible sore throat with swelling, possible damp-heat rash with weeping, yellow greasy tongue coat and a slippery rapid pulse.

Key herbs

1. Hua Shi, Yin Chen Hao, Huang Qin — clear Damp-Heat from all three Burners
2. Shi Chang Pu, Bai Dou Kou, Huo Xiang — aromatically transform Damp
3. Lian Qiao, She Gan, Bo He — clear heat-toxin from the throat
4. Mu Tong (Akebia, aristolochic-acid-free species), Bei Mu — clear and transform

Formula actions

1. Clears Damp-Heat and resolves toxin
2. Aromatically transforms Damp at the middle Burner
3. Clears the throat and disperses swelling

Conditions treated

1. Acute viral hepatitis A with jaundice and damp-heat features
2. Mumps with swelling, sore throat and damp-heat
3. Acute leptospirosis and other damp-heat tropical infections
4. Damp-heat rash with weeping, itch and toxin features
5. Persistent post-viral patterns with damp-heat and chest oppression

Cautions

Contraindicated in pure cold-deficient patterns and pregnancy. Acute viral hepatitis and severe systemic infection require medical assessment and supportive care; herbal therapy is integrative. Aristolochic-acid-containing Mu Tong species are banned; modern Sun Ten preparations use safe substitutes.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available.

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