Crystals Used as Herbal Medicine

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Crystals Used as Herbal Medicine

This refers to the gems and mineral used in the Chinese Materia

Medica. These " herbs " have been used for centuries, internally, in

some of the most popular and affective herbal formulas. These " herbs "

are listed under the categories for which they treat.

Settle Down Liver Yang

Abalone (Shi Jue Ming)

" Absolute brightness stone " , Concha Haoliotidis, Abalone shell

Properties: salty cold

Channels: Liver Kidney

Functions and Clinical Use: Used in combination with other herbs to

descend Liver Yang and lower blood pressure for dizziness and

headache. Clear Liver fire and brighten eyes for eye infection,

Glaucoma, blurred vision, and cataract.

Dosage in decoction: 15-30 g cooked 1.5 hrs

Pearl (Zhen Zhu)

Zhen Zhu, " Treasure pearl " , Margarita, Pearl

Properties: Sweet, Salty, Cold

Channels: Heart Liver

Functions: Sedates Heart and stops tremors/ palpitations. One can

wear pearls to reduce tiredness and irritability during the day.

Clears Liver heat and dispels nodules; for superficial disorders of

the eyes. pterygium, glaucoma, cataract. Promotes healing when used

topically

Dosage: 0.3-1g in pill or powder

Hematite (Dai Zhe Shi)

Dai Zhe Shi, " Red Stone from Dai Country " , Hematite

Properties: bitter cold

Channels: Liver, Heart, Pericardium, San Jiao

Functions and Indications: strongly descends Stomach Qi for belching,

vomiting, hiccup, asthma

Calms the Liver and descends Liver Yang from rising; head ache,

tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness, lowers blood pressure, especially for

these symptoms together with feeling of upward surges of hot energy

and anger. Cools blood and stops bleeding for vomiting blood,

nosebleed, and chronic uterine bleeding due to heat.

Dosage in decoction: 10-30g cook stone 30 minutes before adding other

herbs (1.5 hr total)

Contraindications: pregnancy and ADHD

Calm the Spirit

Amber (Hu Po)

Hu Po, " Tiger Spirit " , Amber, Succinum

Properties: sweet neutral

Channels: Heart Liver Urinary Bladder

Functions and Indications: Calms the spirit. Moves blood stagnation.

Crushed amber is used in baby or toddlers bottles for crying at

night. Treats insomnia, palpitation, and excessive dreaming in

adults. Used with other herbs to treat PMS, coronary heart disease.

Used singly for hematoma

(Adult) Dosage: 1.5-3 g in powder, not in decoction up to 6g/day

Fluorite (Zhi Shi Ying)

Zi Shi Ying, " Purple stone radiance " , Fluoritum, Fluorite

Properties: sweet warm

Channels: Heart Liver Kidney

Functions: Fluorite is used in Chinese Medicine mainly for it's

unique ability to " warm the womb. " Therefore women who can't get

pregnant due to deficiency and cold take it. Signs and symptoms of

this type of infertility include: inability to get pregnant,

subjective feelings of cold especially during one's period and in the

pelvic region, and blood clots during menstruation. A history of

uterine bleeding or excessive menstruation is possible. This mineral

is also used for certain insomnia due to blood deficiency. Fluorite's

ability to warm the Lung and descend Lung Qi leads it's use for cough

or wheezing in late stages of esophageal cancer.

Dosage in decoction: 6-15g. cooked a total of approximately 1.5 hrs.

Caution: temporary use only; long term use disrupts digestive system

Dry Dampness, Promotes Urination

Talcum (Hua Shi)

Hua Shi, " Slippery Stone " , Talcum

Properties: sweet bland cold

Channels: Stomach Urinary Bladder

Functions and Indications: Smoothes the flow of urine. Promotes

urination for Heat Lin syndromes. Eliminates damp and summer heat

causing leading to agitation, thirst, full feeling in the chest, and

diarrhea. Use externally to clear heat and damp leading to heat rash

and eczema.

Formula: Liu Yi San " 6:1 formula " Hua Shi 6g: GanCao (Licorice) 1g

This is a children's formula, but can also be used for adults. It is

indicated for summer heat with insomnia, irritability.

Dosage in decoction: 10-15 g, wrapped in cheese cloth or filter. Cook

prior to cooking other herbs.

Caution and contraindication: Spleen and Kidney Qi deficiency with

spermatorrhea. Fluid deficiency due to fever. Excessive urination.

Not for use during pregnancy.

Clear heat drain fire

Gypsum (Shi Gao)

Calcium Sulfate

Functions and Indications: Gypsum is used for excess heat in the

lungs or stomach manifesting as toothache, acute mouth sores, painful

and bleeding gums, inflammation, or very high fever without chills.

For inflammation, it can be used either externally or internally. It

is used externally for wounds or burns.

Dosage: 10-50 grams

Caution and contraindications: those with a weak stomach or without

true heat should not use this substance.

Downward Draining Herbs (Laxatives and Purgatives)

Mirabilitum (Mang Xiao)

(Na2SO4) sodium sulfate with minor amounts of calcium sulfate and

magnesium sulfate

Functions and Indications: To reduce heat and remove stagnation.

Softening dried feces to induce defecation To treat constipation due

to dried feces caused by accumulation of intense heat in the stomach

and intestine, it is often used with Radix et Rhizoma Rhei and Radix

Glycyrrhizae. Clearing away intense heat and Purging fire Treats the

swelling and sores of the throat. It can be used with Borneolum

Syntheticum, Borax; to treat mastitis it can be used as a local

medicine, it has the effect on dispersing mass; it can be used to

stop milk secretion by local application. More over, 30 g of the drug

and 30 g of Alumen can be used to treat eczema and urticaria by

dissolving in hot water as a wash.

Dosage: 6-12 g are used to be added in other decoctions; a proper

amount may be used for local application.

Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com

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