Pinyin: Yu Yu Liang  Chinese: 禹余粮
Pharmaceutical: Limonitum
Taxonomy: FeO(OH)⋅nH₂O
English: Limonite / Hydrated Ferric Oxide

Tastes: Sweet, astringent, neutral
Meridians Entered: Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Astringes the Intestines and stops diarrhoea
   Chronic diarrhoea or dysentery disorders
   Instability of the Lower Jiao with diarrhoea to the point of incontinence
   Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiencies diarrhoea especially in the elderly
2. Restrains leakage of Body Fluids and inhibits and stops bleeding
   Incessant vaginal discharge
   Unrelenting uterine bleeding
3. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, after sublimation, make one free from hunger, make the body light and prolong 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). Unusually, a second entry for Tai Yi Yu Yu Liang (太一禹馀粮, "Supreme Unity of Yu's Surplus Provisions"), possibly the sublimated version, is given, whose effects with prolonged taking are to resist cold and summerheat, prevent hunger and make one an immortal with a body so light it is able to fly a thousand li.

Standard Dosage: 10-20g in decoction.
Cautions: Use with caution for pregnant women.

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.

Pinyin: Zi Shi Ying  Chinese: 紫石英
Pharmaceutical: Fluoritum
Taxonomy: CaF₂
English: Fluorite

Tastes: Sweet, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Heart

Actions & Indications:

1. Sedates the Heart and settles tremors and palpitations
   Disorientation, insomnia, palpitations with anxiety or convulsions due to Heart Blood Deficiency or Liver Yang Rising
2. Warms the Lungs and descends Qi
   Cough or wheezing due to Deficiency Cold of the Lungs or Evil Qi
   Used for wheezing with copious sputum
3. Warms the Womb and warms and unblocks the Chong and Ren channels
   Excessive menstruation, uterine bleeding
   Chronic infertility due to Deficiency Cold of the Uterus
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, with protracted taking, warm the centre, make the body light and prolong 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).

Standard Dosage: 9-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in case of yin deficiency with effulgent fire.

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.

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: Dai Zhe Shi  Chinese: 代赭石
Pharmaceutical: Haematitum
Taxonomy: Fe₂O₃
English: Haematite

Tastes: Bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Heart

Actions & Indications:

1. Calms the Liver, anchors Floating Yang and clears Liver Fire
   Liver Yang Rising with dizziness, vertigo, headache, a sensation of pressure around the eyes or tinnitus
2. Strongly descends rebellious Qi
   Rebellious Qi of the Lung and Stomach with belching, vomiting, hiccup and acute wheezing
3. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding
   Blood Heat bleeding Deficiency Cold bleeding (with appropriate combinations) (can be used alone for this)

Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
Cautions: It should be used with cautions for the pregnant women. It should not be used for a long time for it contains a microamount of arsenicum.

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 Xia Ku Cao and Zhu Ru.

Pinyin: Ru Xiang  Chinese: 乳香
Pharmaceutical: Olibanum
Taxonomy: Boswellia serrata
English: Frankincense

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver, Heart and Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Invigorates the Blood and promotes the movement of Qi
   Pain due to Blood Stasis from traumatic injury
   Early stage toxic sores, carbuncles, swellings and pain
   Blood Stasis with chest, epigastric or abdominal pain
2. Relaxes the sinews, activates the channels and alleviates pain
   Wind-Damp Bi with rigidity and spasms
3. Reduces swelling and generates flesh
   Topically as an ointment or powder to reduce swelling, generate flesh, alleviate pain and promote healing of sores, carbuncles, and traumatic injury
   Pain, redness and swelling of the gums, mouth and throat

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: This herb is drasticly pungent with strong stimulation to stomach and easily causes nausea and vomiting. So it should not be taken by large dose or for a long time. Use with cautions for patients with weak stomach; prohibited for pregnant women.

Pinyin: Mo Yao  Chinese: 沒藥
Pharmaceutical: Resina Commiphorae
Taxonomy: Commiphora mukul
English: Myrrh

Tastes: Pungent, Bitter, Neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver and Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, alleviates pain and reduces swelling
   Blood Stasis with pain from trauma, sores, carbuncles, swellings, fixed abdominal masses, painful obstruction, chest pain, abdominal pain and amenorrhea
2. Generates flesh and promotes healing
   Chronic non-healing sores

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decocotion.
Cautions: Like Ru Xiang this herb is drastically pungent with strong stimulation to stomach and easily causes nausea and vomiting. It should not be taken by large dose or for a long time. Use with cautions for patients with weak stomach; prohibited for pregnant women.

Pinyin: Wu Ling Zhi  Chinese: 五灵脂
Pharmaceutical: Faeces Trogopterori
English: Flying Squirrel Feces

Tastes: Sweet, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis and alleviates pain
   Blood Stasis with amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and epigastric pain
2. Transforms Stasis and stops bleeding
   Uterine bleeding and retained lochia due to Blood Stasis
3. Treats childhood nutritional impairment
   Childhood nutritional impairment with focal distention
4. Eliminates toxins
   Internally and topically for various insect and snake bites

Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It should not be used with Ren Shen and it is contraindicated to pregnant women.

Animal 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 Yan Hu Suo and Lian Fang.

Pinyin: Zhu Sha  Chinese: 朱砂
Pharmaceutical: Cinnabaris
Taxonomy: HgS
English: Cinnabar / Vermilion / Mercury (II) Sulfide / 丹 Dan / 朱雀 Zhu Que (Red Raven)

Tastes: Sweet, cold, toxic
Meridians Entered: Heart

Actions & Indications:

1. Sedates the Heart and calms the Spirit
   Restlessness, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia and convulsions associated with a disturbed Spirit
   Heart Fire (with appropriate herbs)
   Phlegm Fire Disturbs the Heart (with appropriate herbs)
   Heart Blood Deficiency (with appropriate herbs)
2. Expels Phlegm and sedates jitteriness and convulsions while stopping tremors
   Seizures, childhood convulsions and other problems due to Phlegm-Heat Blocking the Pericardium and Heart
   Wind-Phlegm dizziness
   Lung Heat
3. Clears Heat, relieves toxicity and prevents putrefaction
   Topically for carbuncles, mouth sores, sore throat and snakebite
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, with protracted taking, enable one to communicate with the spirit light (Shenming) and prevent senility. 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) and spiritual practice.

Standard Dosage: No dosage is permissible due to mercury toxicity. 0.1-0.5g in powder or pills is traditional.
Cautions: Prohibited from use today due to its mercury content, it is generally omitted or substituted with Hu Po. Historically it was sometimes confused with Xue Jie, so this could also make a potential substitute in the right circumstances.

Zhao, Li & Wang (2022) claim that grinding and washing was a traditional method of removing the toxicity but any amount of mercury toxicity is unacceptable today.

Traditional contraindications include overdose and taking for a long period of time, or calcinification.