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Cura x Cura

Ci Shi磁石

Magnetitum · Magnetite · Lodestone

Herbs that Calm the Spirit 安神药《神农本草经》

Overview

A mineral whose weight is the whole point: salty and cold, it settles a startled, restless spirit, weighs down Liver yang that has floated upward, and helps the Kidney grasp qi that will not stay down. Its most distinctive use is for tinnitus and failing hearing or vision from Kidney deficiency. Being a mineral, it is decocted first and long, and it is not meant for extended courses.

Nature & Flavor

Salty · Cold

Channels

Heart · Liver · Kidney

Typical Dosage

15–30 g in decoction
磁石Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Settles fright, calms the spiritPalpitations with fright, restlessness, insomnia and vivid dreams, seizure disorders under specialist care.
  • Pacifies the Liver, anchors yangDizziness, throbbing headache and irritability from Liver yang rising.
  • Sharpens hearing and visionTinnitus, hearing loss and blurred vision on a background of Kidney deficiency — the pattern behind Er Long Zuo Ci Wan.
  • Helps the Kidney grasp qiWheezing and shortness of breath where the Kidney fails to hold qi down.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ci Shi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Palpitations with fright, restlessness, insomnia
    - Liver-yang dizziness, headache, irritability
    - Kidney-deficiency tinnitus, hearing loss, blurred vision
    - Deficiency wheezing with difficulty drawing breath down

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

InsomniaTinnitusVertigoHypertensionAsthma

Contraindications

Cautions

A heavy mineral that is hard to digest: decoct it first and long, avoid prolonged courses, and do not use it in patients with weak Spleen and Stomach or poor appetite. When it is taken in powdered or pill form the calcined, vinegar-quenched preparation is used and the amount is much smaller — follow the practitioner's instruction rather than the decoction range.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Used with caution in pregnancy — heavy and cold, practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.