What are the benefits, effects, and contraindications of chicken bone grass?
Jul 20, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
Chicken Bone Grass (Gansui) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, which is the dried whole plant of *Abrus cantoniensis*, a species belonging to the Fabaceae family and the genus Abrus. The effects and benefits of Chicken Bone Grass include diuresis and edema reduction, clearing heat and detoxifying, hemostasis, and resolving blood stasis. It also helps relieve liver stagnation and pain, promote bile secretion and reduce jaundice, and improve digestion. Contraindications include cautious use in pregnant and lactating women, patients with coagulation disorders, and those with impaired liver function.
Chicken Bone Grass is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, representing the dried whole plant of *Abrus cantoniensis*, a species belonging to the genus Abrus in the Fabaceae family. Generally speaking, the effects and benefits of Chicken Bone Grass include promoting diuresis and reducing edema, clearing heat and detoxifying, as well as stopping bleeding and resolving blood stasis. Contraindications include caution for pregnant and breastfeeding women, patients with coagulation disorders, and individuals with impaired liver function. Specific details are analyzed as follows:
I. Effects and Benefits
1. Promotes Diuresis and Reduces Edema: Chicken Bone Grass has diuretic properties that help eliminate bodily waste and reduce swelling and fluid retention.
2. Clears Heat and Detoxifies: This herb can clear internal heat and toxins, providing relief for heat-related conditions such as colds and pharyngitis.
3. Stops Bleeding and Resolves Blood Stasis: Chicken Bone Grass promotes blood circulation and resolves stasis, making it useful for treating traumatic bleeding and bruising.
II. Contraindications
1. Use with Caution in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: Chicken Bone Grass contains pharmacologically active components that may adversely affect the fetus or infant, so its use should be cautious during pregnancy and lactation.
2. Use with Caution in Patients with Coagulation Disorders: Due to its blood-activating and stasis-resolving effects, Chicken Bone Grass may increase the risk of bleeding in individuals with clotting abnormalities.
3. Use with Caution in Patients with Liver Dysfunction: Some constituents of Chicken Bone Grass require hepatic metabolism; therefore, its use may impose additional burden on the liver in patients with impaired liver function.
In addition, Chicken Bone Grass may also offer benefits such as soothing the liver and relieving pain, promoting dampness elimination and jaundice regression, and enhancing digestion. However, other precautions include avoiding use in individuals with allergic predispositions, renal insufficiency, or those with deficiency-cold constitution and general debility. It is important to note that Chicken Bone Grass should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional to prevent adverse reactions.
