Properties: Bitter, cold

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Gallbladder

1. Resolves Toxicity
   Painted on sword wounds on the battlefields in ancient China (acquired from cadavers after battles)
2. Stops Malaria (Nue)
   Intermittent high fevers, rigours, sweating
   Languor and dysphagia

Suggested Daily Dosage: Diluted with wine for external application or see notes below for internal preparation.

• Bile Acids
  Steroid acids and salts that are conjugated with taurine of glycine to become bile salts that play an important role in the digestion and absorption of fat.
• Taurine
  An amino sulfonic acid derived from methionine and cysteine metabolism abundant in many animal and fish organs and a major constituent of bile. It has many biological roles, including conjugation of bile acids, antioxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilisation, and modulation of calcium signalling. It is essential for cardiovascular function, and development and function of skeletal muscle, the retina, and the central nervous system. It is used as an oral supplement in the treatment of disorders such as cystic fibrosis and hypertension and widely used in energy drinks, cosmetics and nutritional supplements.

Notes:

For treating malaria: "human gallbladder bile (obtained at necropsy) was placed in a bowl that was filled with polished glutinous rice and a little musk. The bowl was then placed in a shady place to dry in air. To treat chronic ‘malarial’ disease, half of the polished glutinous rice (Oryza sativa; Nuo Mi) and bile, that had now become green in color (from oxidation of bilirubin to biliverdin), was ingested with a decoction of dried tangerine or orange peel (Citrus reticulata or Citrus sinensis; Chen Pi). To treat dysphagia, the other half that had become black in color with passage of time, was ingested with a decoction of the pith stem of the rich-paper plant (Tetrapanax papyriferus; Tong Cao). After drying, human bile was ground into powder with cinnabar (mercury sulfide; Zhu Sha), realgar (Arsenic sulfide; Xiong Huang) and musk (Moschus berezovskii; She Xiang), and pills were made the size of broad beans. These were believed effective in treating patients with intermittent rigor, high fever and severe chills, most likely from malaria." (Wang & Carey, 2014).