Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan (甘露消毒丹) — Sweet Dew Eliminate Toxin Pill

Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan is a classical Chinese herbal formula used primarily for acute viral hepatitis a with jaundice and damp-heat features. It is 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.

On this page

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

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 (Talcum, 15-30g), Yin Chen Hao, Huang Qin (Rx. Scutellariae, 5-15g) — clear Damp-Heat from all three Burners
2. Shi Chang Pu (Rz. Acori Tatarinowii, 4-10g), Bai Dou Kou (Fr. Amomi Rotundus, 5-12g), Huo Xiang (Hb. Agastaches/ Pogostemonis, 5-12g) — aromatically transform Damp
3. Lian Qiao (Fr. Forsythia, 5-15g), She Gan (Rz. Belamcandae, 5-12g), Bo He (Hb. Menthae Haplocalycis, 3-9g) — clear heat-toxin from the throat
4. Mu Tong (Akebia, aristolochic-acid-free species, 5-12g), Bei Mu (Bul. Fritillariae Cirrhosae, 6-10g) — 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.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.

Frequently asked questions about Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan

What is Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan used for?

Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan is used for acute viral hepatitis a with jaundice and damp-heat features, mumps with swelling, sore throat and damp-heat, acute leptospirosis and other damp-heat tropical infections, damp-heat rash with weeping, itch and toxin features, persistent post-viral patterns with damp-heat and chest oppression. The formula targets the underlying TCM pattern producing these symptoms rather than the symptom in isolation, which is why pattern diagnosis by a qualified herbalist is essential.

How does Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan work?

The herbs in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan work together: Hua Shi (Talcum, 15 30g), yin chen hao, huang qin (rx. scutellariae, 5-15g) — clear damp-heat from all three burners; Shi Chang Pu (Rz. Acori Tatarinowii, 4 10g), bai dou kou (fr. amomi rotundus, 5-12g), huo xiang (hb. agastaches/ pogostemonis, 5-12g) — aromatically transform damp; Lian Qiao (Fr. Forsythia, 5 15g), she gan (rz. belamcandae, 5-12g), bo he (hb. menthae haplocalycis, 3-9g) — clear heat-toxin from the throat; Mu Tong (Akebia, aristolochic acid-free species, 5-12g), bei mu (bul. fritillariae cirrhosae, 6-10g) — clear and transform. The synergy of these actions addresses the underlying TCM pattern.

How long does Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan take to work?

For most patients, an improvement is typically noticed within 2–4 weeks of daily granule treatment. Full benefit usually requires 6–12 weeks, depending on how long-standing the underlying pattern is. Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan is typically prescribed as part of an individualised treatment plan that may include other herbs or adjustments over time.

Is Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan safe in pregnancy?

Contraindicated in pure cold-deficient patterns and pregnancy. As with any Chinese herbal formula, prescription in pregnancy should only be by a qualified RCHM herbalist with pregnancy training.

Who should not take Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan?

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. Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan must be prescribed only after full pattern diagnosis by a qualified RCHM herbalist; self-prescription is not appropriate.