Ch 14.1 Substances that Anchor, Settle, and Calm the spirit

Question 1

Long Gu ***
“Dragon Bones”
(fossilized mammal bones)

Answer 1

Sweet, astringent, neutral (15-30g)
HT, LV, KD
Settles anxiety and calms spirit (#1 for anxiety); Calms LV, and anchors and preserves the floating yang; Prevents leakage of fluids; Used topically (calcines and powdered) for chronic, non-healing sores and ulcers
NOT w/DH or EPF disorders

Question 2

Mu Li ***

Oyster shell

Answer 2

Salty, astringent, cool (9-30g)
LV, KD
Heavily settles and calms the spirit; Benefits the yin and anchors floating yang; Prevents the leakage of fluids; Softens hardness and dissipates nodules (in neck, d/t constraint heat or phlegm); Absorbs acidity and alleviates pain
NOT w/high fever d/t excess w/out sweating. Overdose may cause indigestion or constipation

Question 3

Zhen Zhu Mu ***
“Mother of pearl”
(shiny layer on inside of mollusks like oyster and abalone)

Answer 3

Sweet, salty, cold (15-30g)
HT, LV
Calms LV, anchors yang, and drains LV fire; Clears LV and clears eyes; Sedates fright and calms spirit; Stops bleeding
CAUTION w/SP/ST xu cold, sinking Qi from xu, and pregnancy

Question 4

Ci Shi **
“magnetic stone”
(magnetite)

Answer 4

acrid, salty, cold (15-30g)
KD, LV
Anchors and calms the spirit, weighs down yang; Nourishes the KD (yin), augments LV, and improves hearing and vision; Aids KD in grasping Qi; recently for coronary artery disease
CAUTION w/SP/ST xu

Question 5

Zhen Zhu **

Pearl

Answer 5

Sweet, salty, cold (0.3-1g)
HT, LV
Sedates the HT, settles tremors and palpitations; Clears the LV (heat, nourishes yin, calms LYR), eliminates superficial visual obstructions; Promotes healing and generates flesh
CAUTION during pregnancy

Question 6

Hu Po **

Amber, fossilized tree resin

Answer 6

Sweet, neutral (1.5-3g)
BL, HT, LV
Arrests tremors and palpitations, calms spirit (convulsions and seizures, strongly relieves ANXIETY); Invigorates blood, dissipates stasis, and unblocks menses; Promotes urination, unblocks painful urinary dribbling; Reduces swelling and promotes healing (esp near scrotum/vulva)
NOT w/yin xu heat

Question 7

Sheng Tie Luo *

oxidized iron filings

Answer 7

Acrid, cool, heavy (30-60g)
HT, LV
Sedates and calms the LV

Question 8

Long Chi ***
“Dragon Tooth”
(fossilized teeth)

Answer 8

sweet, astringent, cool
HT, LU
Settles anxiety and calms the spirit (strong action!, also cools heat); Suppresses childhood convulsions
NOT w/DH or EPF d/o