Fel Bufonis
Chán Chú Dǎn (Toad Gallbladder) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried gallbladder of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor or Bufo melanostictus Schneider, animals belonging to the family Bufonidae. The toad, commonly known as "Lài Há Má" in Chinese, has multiple medicinal parts including the parotid gland secretion (Chan Su), dried skin (Chan Pi), and bile (Chan Dan). This medicinal material was first recorded in Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine.
Efficacy & Actions
Relieves cough and eliminates phlegm; detoxifies and disperses nodules.
Indications
Indicated for tracheitis (bronchitis), childhood loss of voice (aphonia), early-stage tuberculous lymphadenitis, and nasal furuncles.
Modern Pharmacology
Cardiotonic effects: Toad bile exhibits cardiotonic effects on isolated hearts, increasing cardiac output and enhancing myocardial contractility while inhibiting heart rate. The cardiotonic effect shows a clear dose-dependent relationship within a certain range, and its mechanism may be related to calcium channels in myocardial cell membranes. Antitussive and expectorant effects: Clinical and experimental studies have confirmed its antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Antitumor activity: Bufadienolide components in toad gallbladder exhibit antitumor activity. Twenty-one bufadienolides, including 4 new compounds, have been isolated and identified from the gallbladder of Bufo bufo gargarizans.
Ingredients
The bile components of toads can be divided into two categories: higher bile acids and bile alcohols: Higher bile acid fraction: Trihydroxybufosterolic acid Trihydroxyisosterolic acid Δ23-3α,7α,12α-Trihydroxycoprostanic acid Trihydroxybufosterolic acid Bile alcohol fraction: Tetrahydroxynorbufanol Pentahydroxybufanol Tetrahydroxycholane Isotrihydroxycholene
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: Take with boiled water, 3–6 pieces; or 1–3 pieces. For external use: Apply an appropriate amount, crushed and applied to the affected area; or use fresh bile as drops.
Contraindications
This product is toxic; use with caution for internal administration. Use with caution during pregnancy. Should be used under the guidance of a physician; avoid excessive or long-term use. Contraindicated in those allergic to this product.
Selected Formulas
For tracheitis (Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 3 toad gallbladders, steep in boiling water and take orally, twice daily, for a continuous course. For infantile loss of voice or inability to speak (Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take fresh toad bile, drip it onto the child's uvula. For lung cancer (Gansu Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 7–10 toad gallbladders, divide into 2 oral doses. May be taken continuously for 1–2 months. For early-stage tuberculous lymphadenitis (Guangxi Medicinal Animals) Take several toad gallbladders, extract the bile, and apply to the affected area. For nasal furuncle (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 3 toad gallbladders, an appropriate amount of fresh Renzhongbai (human urine sediment), and 0.6g of Meipian (borneol). Grind together and apply to the affected area.
Medicinal Parts
Gallbladder (i.e., bile).
Selection & Storage
Use fresh. For short-term storage, it may be refrigerated. For long-term storage, it should be dried in the shade or at low temperature, then stored in a cool, dry place, protected from mold and insects.
