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Dai Zhe Shi代赭石

Haematitum · Hematite

Herbs that Pacify the Liver and Extinguish Wind 平肝息风药《神农本草经》

Overview

An iron-oxide mineral, heavy in the hand and heavy in effect. Bitter and cold, it weighs down rising Liver yang and, more distinctively, forces rebellious Stomach and Lung qi back downward — hiccup, belching, vomiting and wheezing. The dispensary also carries the calcined form, quenched after heating, which is more astringent and easier to extract, and is preferred when bleeding is the main problem; the raw mineral is used when the aim is to subdue yang and direct qi down.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Cold

Channels

Liver · Heart

Typical Dosage

10–30 g in decoction
代赭石Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Pacifies the Liver and anchors yangDizziness, tinnitus, a distending headache and irritability when Liver yang lifts upward.
  • Redirects rebellious qi downwardPersistent hiccup, belching, nausea and vomiting; wheezing where the Lung qi fails to descend.
  • Cools blood and stops bleedingBleeding driven upward by heat — nosebleed, coughing or vomiting of blood, and flooding of the uterus. The calcined form is used here.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Dai Zhe Shi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Liver-yang dizziness, tinnitus and headache
    - Stubborn hiccup, belching, nausea and vomiting
    - Wheezing and cough with qi that will not descend
    - Heat-driven nosebleed, hematemesis and uterine flooding

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

HiccupsVertigoGERDAsthmaEpistaxis

Contraindications

Cautions

A heavy mineral that is hard on a weak digestion: not for middle-burner deficiency cold with a poor appetite, and not for long uninterrupted courses. Because it is mined ore it can carry trace heavy-metal impurities, so only pharmacopoeia-grade material should be dispensed and courses kept limited and supervised.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy, and generally avoid it — the action is heavy and strongly descending.

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.