Properties: Acrid, bitter, salty, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Stomach, Large Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Heat and moistens dryness
Stagnant Heat
Abdominal distension and constipation
Red and swollen eyes
Sore throat
- Softens hard masses
Accumulations of Phlegm
Accumulations and gatherings in the six Fu, firmly bound retention and aggregations
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, after sublimation, can make the body light and become an immortal. 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). However, it is not recommended for prolonged taking like most other superior minerals.
Suggested Daily Dosage: 4.5-9g in decoction, or ground into pills or powder, or externally blown into the throat or made into a paste for the skin or eyes.
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, has 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.
