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Cura x Cura

Han Shui Shi寒水石

Calcitum · Calcite

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《神农本草经》

Overview

A cooling mineral — acrid, salty and cold — used to drain blazing heat at the qi level and from the Stomach: high fever with thirst and restlessness, mouth and tongue sores, and, ground fine and applied, burns and hot swollen skin. What is dispensed as Han Shui Shi differs by region, calcite in the north and an anhydrite-type mineral in the south, so the dispensary's identification is part of the prescription.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, salty · Cold

Channels

Heart · Stomach · Kidney

Typical Dosage

10–15 g in decoction
寒水石Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, drains fireHigh fever with thirst and irritability in warm-febrile disease at the qi level.
  • Cools the Stomach, relieves thirstStomach fire with mouth and tongue ulcers, toothache, an unquenchable thirst.
  • Externally, cools burns and hot swellingsGround to a fine powder for scalds, burns and hot, red, swollen skin.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Han Shui Shi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • High fever with thirst and restlessness
    - Stomach-fire mouth and tongue sores, toothache
    - Topically: burns, scalds, hot swollen sores

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

High feverMouth ulcersBurnsHeat rash

Contraindications

Cautions

Strongly cold and mineral-heavy: contraindicated in Spleen–Stomach cold deficiency with poor appetite and loose stools, and unsuitable for long courses. It must be decocted first and long. Do not treat it as interchangeable with Shi Gao 石膏 or with the anhydrite- and mirabilite-type minerals that share its regional names — dose to what was actually dispensed.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — very cold; practitioner supervision required

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.