Pinyin: Shi Gao  Chinese: 石膏
Pharmaceutical: Gypsum Fibrosum / Calcium Sulphate
Taxonomy: CaSO₄
English: Gypsum / Plaster of Paris

Tastes: Pungent, sweet, cold
Meridians Entered: Lung and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears Heat in the Qi Stage, drains Fire, relieves irritability and quenches thirst
   Heat in the Qi Stage or Yangming Heat with high fever, no chills, irritability, intense thirst, profuse sweating, restlessness, encephalitis, a flooding, big pulse and a red tongue with a yellow coat
2. Clears Excess Heat from the Lungs
   Lung Heat with cough, wheezing, fever and a thick viscous sputum
3. Clears Blazing Stomach Fire
   Stomach Fire with headache, toothache or swollen gums
4. Heals eczema, burns and ulcerated sores and wounds
   Sores and wounds (topically or internally)

Standard Dosage: 15-60g in decoction.
Cautions: 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.

Conventional replacements include Huang Lian and Zhi Mu but its actions are difficult to substitute in many cases and the patient may have to rely on OTC mineral based antacids from the pharmacy such as sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate which have a similar effect of binding and neutralising the stomach acid, then using herbal medicines as an adjunctive treatment. Another possibility would be to use sodium alginate that is often found in antacid medications and extracted from seaweed.

Pinyin: Han Shui Shi / Ning Shui Shi  Chinese: 寒水石 / 凝水石
Pharmaceutical: Glauberitum / Calcitum
English: Red Gypsum / Calcite

Tastes: Pungent, salty, cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Stomach and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears Heat and drains Fire from the Yangming Stage / Qi Level
   Yangming Division or Qi Level Heat with high fever, irritability and thirst
2. Expels Summerheat
   Especially useful for Summerheat
3. Used for burns and sores
   Topically for burns, sores and inflamed eyes due to Wind-Heat
4. Promotes urination and reduces oedema
   Edema and anuria
5. Directs Fire downward and softens hardness
   Swelling and pain of the throat and gums, and clumping in the abdomen
6. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of minerals which can, with protracted taking, end hunger. 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 insufficiency-cold in spleen and stomach.

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: Hua Shi  Chinese: 滑石
Pharmaceutical: Talcum / Magnesium Silicate
Taxonomy: Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
English: Talc / Talcum Powder

Tastes: Sweet, bland and cold
Meridians Entered: Bladder, Lung and Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes urination and drains Heat from the Urinary Bladder (aids the movement of gravel and stones), (expels Damp-Heat)
   Hot Painful Urinary Dysfunction (Lin Syndrome) with hot, painful urination, dark, painful, burning, scanty urine
   Damp-Heat diarrhoea
   Qi Level Heat with Dampness with unremitting fever, heavy feeling in the body, thirst, yellow tongue coat
2. Releases Summeheat and resolves Dampness
   Summerheat (fever, urinary difficulty, thirst)
3. Absorbs Dampness and clears Heat (topically)
   Damp skin lesions (eczema, damp sores, prickly heat)
4. Stops bleeding due to Heat
   Heat type bleeding
   Nosebleed, vomiting blood (taken internally) Bleeding from wounds and sores (topical)
5. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, with protracted taking, make the body light, free from hunger 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: 10-20g in decoction, or applied externally.
Cautions: Talc can cause granulomas in the rectum, vagina or wounds and prolonged external use has also been linked to ovarian (Wentzensen & O'Brien, 2021), stomach (Chang et al., 2020) and lung (Chang et al., 2017) cancer but other reviews contradict these findings (Goodman et al., 2020) suggesting this may only be an effect seen in rats (Prueitt et al., 2024). For safety it should therefore not be used for prolonged periods.

It should also not be in inhaled as it can cause lung irritation and remain in the body for up to 40 years (Johnson, 2021).

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 Chi Fu Ling and Ze Xie.

Pinyin: Shui Niu Jiao  Chinese: 水牛角
Pharmaceutical: Cornu Bubali
English: Water Buffalo Horn

Tastes: Bitter, salty, cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver, Stomach

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears Heat from the Ying and Xue, relieves Fire toxicity, cools the Blood and stops bleeding
   Very high fever and chaotic movement of Blood (erythema, purpura, epistaxis, hematemesis, convulsions and delirium)
2. Clears Heat and arrests tremors
   Unremitting high fever, loss of consciousness, delirium, convulsions or manic behaviour due to Warm-Disease
   Used externally as a material for Gua Sha tools where it excels in regulating the Blood and clearing Heat

Standard Dosage: 15-30g in decoction or made into Gua Sha tools for external use.

Pinyin: Ling Yang Jiao  Chinese: 羚羊角
Pharmaceutical: Cornu Saigae Tataricae
English: Antelope's Horn

Tastes: Salty, cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Heart

Actions & Indications:

1. Drains Liver Heat, calms the Liver, extinguishes Wind and controls spasms and convulsions
   Childhood seizure and convulsion disorder especially due to high fever Ying and Xue Stage Heat with stubborn high fevers
   Extreme Heat Generating Wind
   Liver Wind
2. Calms the Liver and anchors Yang
   An important substance for Liver Yang Rising with dizziness, vertigo, irritability, restlessness and splitting headaches
3. Clears the Liver and improves vision
   Headache, red and swollen eyes or photophobia due to Blazing Liver Fire
4. Drains Heat and clears Fire toxicity
   Heat Attacks the Pericardium with high fever, delirium, manic behavior and, in extreme case, loss of consciousness
5. Clears Damp-Heat
   Wind-Damp-Heat Bi
6. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of animal parts which can, with protracted taking, fortify the sinews and bones and make the body light. 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: 1-3g in decoction.

Pinyin: She Xiang  Chinese: 麝香
Pharmaceutical: Moschus
English: Musk

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

Actions & Indications:

1. Strongly opens the Orifices and Luo vessels, revives the Spirit and unblocks closed disorders
   Ying Stage Heat Attacks the Pericardium due to a Warm pathogen disease with convulsions, delirium, stupor and fainting
   Closed disorders (Yang Obstruction, Yin Obstruction, Phlegm Obstruction) Tetanic collapse Seizures
2. Invigorates the Blood, dissipates masses, reduces swellings, detoxifies, opens the channels and alleviates pain
   Severe problems due to Blood Stasis including fixed palpable masses, toxic sores and carbuncles
   Obstructions of the channels and collaterals due to traumatic injury or painful obstruction
   Coronary artery disease
3. Hastens delivery and facilitates the passage of stillborns (induces abortion)
   Labour
   Dead fetus or placenta fail to descend
4. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of animal parts which can, with protracted taking, eliminate evils, and stop dreams (梦) and waking from nightmares (寤魇寐). 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).
5. Removes the Three Worms
   Said in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing that it removes the Three Worms. These may refer to difficult to treat metabolic disorders caused by overindulgence and should be accompanied by fasting, meditation and exercise regimes.

Standard Dosage: 0.03-1g as pills or powder. Should not be decocted.
Cautions: 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 Shi Chang Pu and Ru Xiang.

Pinyin: Ci Shi  Chinese: 磁石
Pharmaceutical: Magnetitum
Taxonomy: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
English: Magnetite

Tastes: Salty, cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Liver and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Anchors Liver Yang and calms the Spirit
   Agitated Heart and Spirit with restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, tremors, dizziness and vertigo in patients with Yin Deficiency with Yang Rising, especially when Kidney Rising, especially when Kidney Yin Deficiency leads to Liver Fire that deranges and disturbs the Spirit Convulsions in children caused by shock or fear
2. Benefits Yin, nourishes the Kidneys, augments the Liver and improves hearing and vision
   Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiencies with impaired hearing or deafness, tinnitus, or visual disturbances
3. Aids the Kidneys in grasping Qi
   Chronic asthma due to Kidneys Unable to Grasp Qi

Standard Dosage: 15-30g in decoction.
Cautions: 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 Gong Lao Ye and Hu Po.

Pinyin: Xuan Shen  Chinese: 玄參
Pharmaceutical: Radix Scrophulariae
Taxonomy: Scrophularia ningpoensis
English: Chinese Figwort Root / Ningpo Figwort Root

Tastes: Bitter, sweet, salty, light cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Stomach, Kidney, Lung

Actions & Indications:

1. Clears Heat and cools the Blood
   Xue Stage Heat or Blood Heat with hemorrhage (hematemesis), fever, dry mouth and a purplish tongue
2. Nourishes Yin
   Yin Deficiency with Heat signs especially as sequelae from Warm Febrile Disease with Dry Lungs, insomnia, constipation, an unclear Shen and irritability
   Yin Deficiency dry Lungs
   Heart Yin Deficiency
3. Softens hardness and dissipates nodules (Transforms Phlegm-Heat)
   Neck lumps (goiter, scrofula) due to Phlegm Fire
   Severe throat pain and swelling
4. Drains Fire
   Extreme throat pain or red, swollen eyes
5. Relieves toxicity
   Ying Stage Heat
6. Calms the Spirit agitated by Parasites damaging the Yin
   Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)

Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. It is antagonistic to Li Lu.

Pinyin: Sheng Ma  Chinese: 升麻
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Actaeae
Taxonomy: Actaea cimicifuga, A. heracleifolia (Da San Ye Sheng Ma), A. dahurica (Xin Gan Sheng Ma), A. simplex (Ye Sheng Ma)
English: Chinese Cohosh

Tastes: Pungent, slightly bitter, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Lung, Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Releases the Exterior and vents measles
   Headache due to Wind-Heat Early stages of measles
2. Clears Heat and relieves toxicity
   Fire toxins in the upper or superficial aspects of the body with sore teeth, swollen or painful gums, ulcerated lips or gums, canker sores, painful and swollen throat, sores or maculae from Warm-Heat pathogen diseases
3. Raises Yang and lifts sunken Qi
   Central Qi Sinking or Middle Qi Deficiency with shortness of breath, fatigue and prolapse
   Dai channel spasms
   Guides other herbs upwards
4. Kills Gu Parasites and Scatters Toxins by Releasing the Exterior
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 1998; 2015)
5. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, prevent premature death, 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: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: The patients whose measles have come out or have yin deficiency and heat excess, or yin deficiency and yang going upward adversely are forbidden to use this herb.

Pinyin: Gan Cao  Chinese: 甘草
Pharmaceutical: Radix Glycyrrhizae
Taxonomy: Glycyrrhiza uralensis seu glabra seu inflata
English: Liquorice Root

Tastes: Sweet, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Heart, Lung and Spleen (and all 12 meridians)

Actions & Indications:

1. Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi
   Spleen Qi Deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude and loose stools
   Qi and Blood Deficiency with an irregular pulse and/or palpitations
   Heart Qi Deficiency or Heart Yang Deficiency
2. Moistens the Lungs, resolves Phlegm and stops coughing
   Lung Heat or Cold
   Productive or non-productive coughing
3. Moderates spasms and alleviates pain
   Painful muscle spasms of the abdomen and legs
4. Clears Heat and relieves Fire Toxicity
   Raw for Toxic Heat with sore throat or carbuncles and sores (Chuang Yung)
5. Antidote for many toxic substances (internal and topical)
   Poisoning
   Bites (after washing the wound, chew Gan Cao and apply a thick layer on the bite wound, changing whenever it dries out; Bao Xiang-Ao, 1846, New Compilation of Proven Formulas)
6. Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs and guides the herbs to all twelve channels
   Often added in small doses to harmonise formulas
7. Tonifies the Qi while suppressing Parasites
   Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
8. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, 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: Typically 1.5-9g in decoction. Large doses can be up 30g.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for combining with Hai Zao, Da Ji, Gan Sui and Yuan Hua because of "eighteen antagonisms". It is also contraindicated in cases of dampness obstruction in middle energizer and edema because it can help dampness obstruct qi, and it is prohibited from long-term usage in large dosage (more than 20g/day) and should be avoided or used with extreme caution in patients with high blood pressure because it may raise aldosterone levels in the blood causing retention of sodium.

The NHS recommends avoiding during pregnancy.

Pinyin: Mu Xiang  Chinese: 木香
Pharmaceutical: Radix Aucklandiae
English: Costus Root

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Gall Bladder

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes the movement of Qi and alleviates pain
   Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with anorexia, a feeling of food sitting in the Stomach, epigastric or abdominal pain or distention, nausea and vomiting
   Liver or Gallbladder Qi Stagnation with flank pain, distention or soreness
   Relieves the symptoms of Gu Sydnrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
2. Adjusts and regulates stagnant Qi in the Intestines
   Intestinal Qi Stagnation with diarrhoea or dysenteric disorders, abdominal pain and tenesmus
3. Strengthens the Spleen and prevents Stagnation
   Stagnation from tonic herbs, especially when the transportive and transformative functions of the Spleen are weak
4. Dispels Damp-Heat and harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
   Disharmony of the Liver and Spleen with hypochondriac pain and distention, a bitter taste in the mouth, a yellow tongue coat and possibly jaundice
5. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, prevent oppressive Ghost Dreams whether sleeping during the day or the night. 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.

Pinyin: Chen Xiang  Chinese: 沉香
Pharmaceutical: Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum
Taxonomy: Aquilaria agallocha seu sinensis seu malaccensis
English: Agarwood / Aloeswood / Eaglewood

Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Promotes movement of Qi and alleviates pain
   Qi Stagnation, with distention, pain or a feeling of pressure in the epigastric or abdominal region Especially useful for Deficiency Cold or Blood Stagnation
2. Descends Qi, regulates the Middle, dispels Cold, warms the Spleen and Stomach and stops vomiting
   Rebellious Qi wheezing from either Excess or Deficiency Vomiting, belching or hiccup due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold
3. Warms the Kidneys and aids the Kidneys in grasping Qi
   Asthma and wheezing due to Kidneys Unable to Grasp Qi

Standard Dosage: 1-3g in decoction.

Pinyin: Ding Xiang  Chinese: 丁香
Pharmaceutical: Flos Caryophylli
Taxonomy: Caryophyllus aromaticus / Syzygium aromaticum
English: Clove

Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Kidney

Actions & Indications:

1. Warms the Middle Jiao, relieves pain and descends Qi
   Stomach Cold with vomiting, hiccup, abdominal pain and diarrhoea
   Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold with anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea
   Bad breath (chew whole clove), toothache (apply oil to gum)
2. Warms the Kidneys and assists Yang
   Impotence or clear vaginal discharge from Cold in the Womb (usually accompanied by weak legs) due to Kidney Yang Deficiency
3. Kills Parasites and expels Demons
   Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
   Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
   Can also be used as an insect repellent.

Standard Dosage: 1-3g in decoction.
Cautions: It is incompatible with Yu Jin (nineteen incompatibilities). It should be used with cautions for heat syndrome and yin deficiency with interior heat.

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.

Pinyin: Mang Xiao  Chinese: 芒硝
Pharmaceutical: Natrii Sulfas
Taxonomy: Na₂SO₄·10H₂O
English: Glauber's Salt / Mirabilite

Tastes: Salty, bitter, cold
Meridians Entered: Stomach and Large Intestine

Actions & Indications:

1. Purges accumulations, guides out Stagnation, softens hardness and moistens Dryness
   Heat in the Stomach and Intestines with constipation and hard knots
2. Clears Heat and drains Fire
   Heat in the Stomach or Lungs especially accumulated Phlegm or clumping in the Intestines
3. Clears Heat and reduces swelling
   Red, swollen, painful eyes
   Painful, ulcerated, swollen mouth or throat (topical)
   Red, swollen skin lesions (topical)
   Mastitis (topical) (promotes lactation)

Standard Dosage: 10-15g dissolved into decoction at end.
Cautions: Use with caution for women during lactation for its milk regurgitation action. It is contraindicated to 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. It is generally substituted with Yu Li Ren. If the osmotic laxative effects of salts are required then Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) are more commonly available in the UK, although they still come under the same laws and would have to be included as lifestyle advice, to be sourced and dosed by the patient, not prescribed and given by the herbalist.

Pinyin: Xiao Shi  Chinese: 消石
Pharmaceutical: Potassium Nitrate
Taxonomy: KNO₃
English: Saltpetre / Nitre

Tastes: Bitter, salty, warm (some sources say Cold).
Meridians Entered: Heart, Lung, Spleen

Actions & Indications:

1. Breaks up stagnation, disperses swelling, expels pathogens and resolves Toxicity
   Hot and cold Sudden Turmoil (霍亂 Huo Luan) with fever, abdominal swelling and pain, vomiting and diarrhoea
   Black jaundice during labour due to Liver and Kidney deficiency with Blood Stasis and internal obstruction
   Discharge from sexually transmitted diseases
   Obstructed urination from Blood, Heat, Qi, and stones
   Constipation, red and white dysentery, intestinal Wind, turbid Toxicity
   Swollen, red and painful eyes, headache, hypertension
   Swollen, obstructed sore throat, toothache
   Boils and carbuncles, scrofula
2. Frees the flow of Heart Qi
   Placed under the tongue for acute heart pains with cold hands and feet (saliva will convert to nitrite)
3. Aids fasting
   Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, with protracted taking, make the body light. 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: 1.5 to 3g internally as pills or powder, or grind into powder and blow into the throat, or insert a pellet the size of a millet grain into the inner canthus of the eye overnight and wash out the next morning, or apply to wounds with water or saliva.
Cautions: Traditionally avoid use during pregnancy or in deficiency conditions. Do not combine with bitter, cooling herbs such as Ku Shen, Xing Ren, Dan Zhu Ye, bitter vegetables or porridge.

It is non-combustible but accelerates the burning of other combustible materials so should be used with caution if mixed, especially with sulphur. If exposed to prolonged heat it may explode.