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Hu Po琥珀

Succinum · Amber

Herbs that Calm the Spirit 安神药《名医别录》

Overview

Fossilised conifer resin, sweet and neutral — heavy enough to settle a startled spirit, yet also a mover: it breaks blood stasis and frees painful dribbling urination. It is not decocted. The material is ground to a fine powder and taken in small amounts with liquid or made into pills, which is why the dose looks so much smaller than that of the herbs beside it in a prescription.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Neutral

Channels

Heart · Liver · Bladder

Typical Dosage

1.5–3 g
琥珀Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Settles fright, calms the spiritPalpitations with anxiety, insomnia with vivid dreams, night terrors and startling in children.
  • Invigorates blood, dissipates stasisAmenorrhea and fixed abdominal masses from stasis; stubborn swelling after injury.
  • Frees painful urinationPainful, dribbling or bloody urination, including where stones are present.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Hu Po

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Palpitations, anxiety and insomnia with a startled quality
    - Night terrors and convulsive startling in children
    - Amenorrhea and stasis masses
    - Painful, dribbling or bloody urination

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

InsomniaAnxietyUrinary stonesBlood in urine

Contraindications

Cautions

Not for yin deficiency with internal heat and no sign of stasis. Because it is swallowed as a raw powder rather than decocted, the dose is small and must not be increased casually — take only what the practitioner dispenses. Amber sold as jewellery or as a teething necklace is not medicinal material and must never be taken internally; teething necklaces are also a choking and strangulation hazard for infants.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy — it invigorates blood and dissipates stasis

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(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.