Gu Sui Bu – Drynaria rhizome – “Mender of Shattered Bones”

Nature: bitter, warm

Enters: Kidney, Liver

Actions: Promotes bone and sinew regeneration; promotes blood circulation; tonifies the kidneys; stop bleeding; stimulates hair growth.

Indications:
• Kidney deficiency: lumbar pain, weak feet, lumbar region, knees, tinnitus, poor hearing, toothache, bleeding gums, chronic diarrhea.
• Traumatic injury: falls, fractures, contusions, sprains. Especially good for ligamentous injuries and simple fractures (use internally and externally). Also used to help regain strength during the convalescent phase following injuries.
• Topical (tincture): for hair loss/alopecia, corns, warts (soak 100g herb in 1 L white rice wine for at least a week).
• Stronger than Xu duan at promoting blood circulation, but weaker at tonifying the liver and kidneys.
• Treats adverse effects of streptomycin in patients with a sensitivity to it: headache, dizziness, numbness of the tongue, tinnitus, hearing loss.

Dose: 6-18g

6 comments on “Gu Sui Bu – Drynaria rhizome – “Mender of Shattered Bones”

  1. Debkay says:

    Can you chew on Drynairra; after it’s been soaked in rice wine and coconut oil? How do you ingest this root?

    • Peter Borten says:

      I don’t see why not. Depending on how long it’s been soaked, I’m not sure how much medicinal value would remain. Typically it’s taken by decocting it (prolonged cooking in water), straining out the spent herb, and drinking the resulting tea.

  2. Debkay says:

    Can you chew on Drynairra; after it’s been soaked in rice wine and coconut oil? How do you ingest this herb?

  3. Jeniffer Cortes says:

    How do you use this herb for a humerus fracture??

    Also for knee pain

    • Peter Borten says:

      Generally this herb would be given in an appropriate formula based on the presenting pattern (diagnosis). For a humerus fracture that would usually involve Qi and Blood stagnation as the primary pattern. Gu sui bu is a reasonable secondary herb. I would likely use some other herbs like ru xiang, mo yao, tao ren, hong hua, ji xue teng, etc., along with possibly gu sui bu and maybe xu duan, especially if there were a deficient constitution. Taken orally. External blood movers might help too.

  4. Jeanne Green says:

    Wonder what is best way to use Gu Sui Bu to strengthen alveolar bone under a tooth ? Soak in wine, and apply, boil and drink tea from it, and chew on the cooked herb ? Any experience ? Thank you.

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