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Xue Yu Tan血余炭

Crinis carbonisatus · Carbonized Hair · Charred Human Hair

Herbs that Stop Bleeding 止血药《神农本草经》

Overview

Human hair, cleaned and carbonized until it crumbles — a preparation the materia medica has carried since antiquity. Bitter and neutral, it restrains bleeding without holding stasis in place, which is what makes it usable for nosebleed, coughed or vomited blood, blood in the stool or urine and uterine bleeding; it also promotes urination in painful, bloody dribbling urination. It is given in decoction and, more often, ground and swallowed as a powder.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter · Neutral

Channels

Liver · Stomach

Typical Dosage

6–10 g in decoction
血余炭Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Restrains bleeding, transforms stasisNosebleed, coughed or vomited blood, blood in the stool or urine and uterine bleeding — it restrains without trapping stasis.
  • Promotes urinationPainful, dribbling, bloody urination, where the bleeding must stop and the flow must be freed at the same time.
  • Applied topicallyDusted as a powder onto small bleeding wounds and sores that will not close.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Xue Yu Tan

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Epistaxis, hemoptysis and hematemesis
    - Blood in the stool or urine; uterine bleeding
    - Bloody, painful dribbling urination
    - Small bleeding wounds and sores (external use)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Contraindications

Cautions

Only properly carbonized, pharmacy-grade material is used — hair that has not been prepared correctly is not medicine, and this is not something to make at home. Its rich, greasy quality can unsettle a weak stomach, so use it cautiously with poor appetite and loose stool. Any unexplained or heavy bleeding needs a medical diagnosis first.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中药学》 (national TCM curriculum materia medica).

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.