Chan Su
StarBufo bufo gargarizans Cantor; Bufo melanostictus Schneider
☯ TCM Properties
Relieves toxicity and reduces swelling; Alleviates pain; Opens the orifices and revives consciousness; Expels filth and turbidity
Traditional Chinese Uses
Chan Su (toad venom, bufo venom) is a warm, toxic substance used in Chinese medicine in very small doses to relieve pain, reduce swellings, and open the orifices. It is applied for abscesses, carbuncles, and certain types of severe toothache, as well as in formulas for resuscitating consciousness in emergency collapse conditions. Due to its potent cardiac glycoside content, it is extremely toxic even in small amounts and must only be professionally prepared and administered in strictly controlled doses.
Botanical Description
Chan Su is not a plant but the dried white milky secretion expressed from the postauricular and skin glands of toads, principally Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor and Bufo melanostictus Schneider (family Bufonidae). The source animals are stout-bodied, warty-skinned amphibians widely distributed across China and East/Southeast Asia. The fresh secretion is collected by gently squeezing the parotid glands of living toads, then concentrated, moulded into small dark brown to greyish-black cakes or thin sheets, and dried. The finished drug is hard, brittle, and resinous, with a glossy fracture, an acrid taste that produces a strong numbing sensation on the tongue, and induces sneezing when inhaled as a powder. It contains potent bufadienolide cardiac toxins.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| poultice | As needed | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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