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Dai Zhe Shi
English Name: hematite
Literal Translation: “red stone from Dai county”
Pharmaceutical Name: Haematitum
Medica Category: Liver-Calming and Wind-Extinguishing Herbs
Properties: Dai Zhe Shi enters the Heart and Liver channels; it is bitter in nature and cold in temperature.
What is Dai Zhe Shi?:
The Chinese Herb Dai Zhe Shi is pieces of hematite ore, which is mined year-round in China various places around China. For use as medicine, the purest specimens are chosen,, washed, and smashed into pieces. It is then pre-decocted for a time before other ingredients of a formula are added. Dai Zhe Shi can be used unprocessed or it can be calcined (i.e. heated/baked) depending on what it is being used for (see below).
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Dai Zhe Shi:
Dai Zhe Shi (unprocessed) calms the Liver and anchors floating or rising Liver yang (w/concomitant yin deficiency). This commonly presents clinically as dizziness, vertigo, headaches, short temper/irritability, insomnia, palpitations, and constipation.
Dai Zhe Shi (unprocessed) is heavy, sinking, and cold in nature and strongly descends qi to address rebellious, ascending Stomach qi which is manifesting with hiccups, vomiting, and nausea. Secondary symptoms are often those associated with Stomach deficiency w/the accumulation of dampness in the middle jiao (e.g. poor appetite and loose stools). Dai Zhe Shi also directs Lung qi downward and is used to address cough and wheezing (when there is difficulty on the inhale—a pointer toward Kidney qi failing to grasp the Lung qi and pull the breath into the body).
Dai Zhe Shi cools the blood and stops bleeding caused by heat forcing the blood out of the vessels. Clinical examples of this include epistaxis (nosebleeds), hematemesis (blood in the vomit), blood-streak sputum, and profuse uttering bleeding. A small dose of the calcined form of Dai Zhe Shi is used for this purpose.
–safety/clinical notes:
Use with caution during pregnancy (as it is cold and sinking in nature).
Not intended for long-term use.
