Properties: Sweet, neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Heart, Spleen, Liver, Kidney
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Removes diseases of the five Zang
The "one hundred diseases" (i.e. all diseases)
- Nourishes the tendons, strengthens the bones, promotes the growth of
muscles and flesh
Physical weakness, recovery from injury
- Quiets the ethereal and corporeal souls
Restless and vexation, insomnia
- Boosts the Qi
Fatigue
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, with protracted taking, cultivate endurance to cold and summerheat, make one free from hunger and thirst, and become an ageless 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).
- Preserve the corpse
The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing also suggests that if you take 500g when dying, one's complexion will remain unchanged for three years
after death
Suggested Daily Dosage: Not stated. No dosage of asbestos would be considered safe today.
Cautions: Two minerals may constitute this herb and of these asbestos is highly toxic and must be avoided and not even handled today.
Notes:
Much of the information on pharmaceutical identification for minerals has been taken from Liu, S.L., Kuo, C.L., Hsieh, M.T. (2012) Textual Research for Latin Names and Medicinal Effects of Top Grade Drugs in Shennongbencaojing, J Chin Med 23(1): 51-72. https://www.nricm.edu.tw/var/file/0/1000/attach/86/pta_2344_3201013_81490.pdf.
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.
