Properties: Sweet, pungent, slightly warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Kidney and Heart
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Calms the Shen and induces tranquilisation
Palpitations, restlessness
- Relieves coughing and benefits Qi
Cough due to counterflow
Enduring cold in the chest around the diaphragm
- Tonifies Yin and strengthens the Essence (Jing)
Wasting and Thirsting (Xiao Ke) disorders where thirst predominates
Impotence
- Expels Wind-Dampness
Wind-Damp Bi Syndrome
- Aids longevity
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 and prolong life. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in life cultivation practices (Yangsheng 養生).
Suggested Daily Dosage: 9-15g 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.
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
