Pinyin: Chi Shi Zhi  Chinese: 赤石脂
Pharmaceutical: Halloysitum Rubrum
English: Red Kaolin / Red Halloysite

Tastes: Sweet, astringent, warm
Meridians Entered: Large Intestine and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Astringes the Intestines and stops diarrhoea
   Chronic diarrhoea, often accompanied by undigested food, due to Deficiency Cold
   Chronic dysenteric disorders with mucus and Blood in the stool
   Prolapsed rectum
2. Contains the Blood and stops bleeding
   Bleeding from Deficiency Cold in the Lower Jiao with uterine bleeding, excessive menstruation, hemafecia and bleeding prolapsed rectum
   Bleeding due to trauma (topical)
3. Promotes healing of wounds topically (generates flesh)
   Wounds
   Chronic non-healing ulcers, weeping sores
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, with protracted taking, replenish the marrow, boost the qi, and make one fat and strong, free from hunger, and the body light while prolonging life. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生). It is also said to nourish the five Zang, especially the Heart which is associated with red.

Standard Dosage: 10-20g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of diarrhea or dysentery of damp-heat type. Use with caution for pregnant women. It is incompatible to Guan Gui (Rou Gui).

Eating clay long-term can cause low levels of potassium and iron, intestinal blockage, poisoning from trace heavy metals, muscle weakness, skin sores and difficulty breathing.

Mineral products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only. It is generally substituted with He Zi and Jin Guan Hua. It may still be used topically.

Pinyin: Gan Jiang  Chinese: 干姜
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Zingiberis
Taxonomy: Zingiber officinale
English: Dried Ginger

Tastes: Pungent, hot
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Kidney, Heart and Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Warms the Middle and expels Cold
   External Cold affecting the Spleen and Stomach Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiencies
2. Dispels Wind-Dampness seeping into the Lower Jiao
   Lower Jiao Wind-Cold-Damp Bi
3. Rescues Devastated Yang and expels Interior Cold
   Devastated Yang with a very weak pulse and cold limbs
4. Warms the Lungs and transforms thin mucus
   Lung Cold with expectoration of thin, watery or white sputum
5. Warms the channels (unblocks the pulse) and stops bleeding
   Haemorrhage due to Deficiency Cold, especially uterine bleeding (only if the bleeding is chronic and pale in colour with cold limbs, ashen white face and a soggy thin pulse)
6. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, remove foul smell and enable one to communicate withe Spirit Light (Shen Ming 神明). This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with internal heat and haemorrhage due to blood heat.

Pinyin: Jing Mi  Chinese: 粳米
Pharmaceutical: Semen Oryzae
English: Non-Glutinous Rice Seed

Tastes: Sweet, neutral
Meridians Entered: Lung and Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Tonifies Yang
   Diarrhoea due to Yang Deficiency
2. Tonifies the Qi of the Lungs, Spleen and Intestines and stops restlessness
   Qi Deficiency with spontaneous perspiration and weakness
3. Stops thirst and generates fluids
   Body Fluid Deficiency

Standard Dosage: 9-30g in decoction.