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Knowledge baseHerbs

Chuan Shan Jia穿山甲

Squama ManitisPangolin Scales

  • Slightly toxic

Also known asAnteater Scales · Manis

Category
** Herbs that Regulate Blood; Herbs that Invigorate Blood
Nature
cool
Taste
salty
Channels entered
Liver, Stomach
Secondary channels
Heart, Lung, Gallbladder
Dosage
3–10 g

Usual doses

Decoctions
3–10 g
Pills and Powders
1–1.5 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, unblocks menstruation and promotes lactation
Blood Stasis with amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea and insufficient lactation
Reduces swelling and promotes the discharge of pus
  • Toxic swellings such as abscesses and boils
  • Use topically for healing suppurative lesions
Expels Wind-Dampness from the channels
Wind-Damp Bi pain, stiffness or spasms of the limbs or pain that prevents lifting or bending

Contraindications

  • Avoid during pregnancy.
  • Avoid in Qi and Blood Deficiency.
  • Avoid once sores have already ulcerated.
  • Avoid prolonged use.

Combinations

Notes

  • This is a protected species — its scales can only be harvested by killing the animal — so substitutes are recommended: Spina Gleditsiae Zao Jiao Ci for piercing and promoting sores to open; Sm. Vaccariae Wang Bu Liu Xing for moving Blood and promoting lactation; and Eupolyphaga/Steleophaga Tu Bie Chong or Concha Arcae Wa Leng Zi for reducing abdominal masses. Although it can disperse unformed pus, it works better topically on sores that have already suppurated.
  • It is mainly used for painful, non-ulcerated abscesses and joint swelling.
  • Some sources state it resolves Phlegm, moves Qi, and stops bleeding when applied topically to wounds.
  • It is said to treat scabies and leprosy.
  • One source credits it with promoting Blood circulation by reducing Qi Stagnation.
  • For sores: if pus has already formed it can cause the sore to perforate, and if pus has not yet formed it can resolve the sore; to stop bleeding, the powder is sprinkled directly on the wound and covered with a pressure dressing.
  • It has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth.
  • It has recently been shown to raise white blood cell counts.
  • Its strong odor is said to let it travel through the entire body, activating the organs, penetrating the channels and collaterals, reaching the joints and orifices, and clearing Blood Stasis.
  • It is said to resolve furuncles and carbuncles with rapid results.
  • It is also effective for abdominal masses, paralysis, difficulty with urination and defecation, and abdominal pain.
  • For promoting lactation, combine with Sm. Vaccariae Wang Bu Liu Xing.
  • Chuan Shan Jia and Spina Gleditsiae Zao Jiao Ci both break up clumping and Stasis. Zao Jiao Ci, being acrid and warm, has a strong dispersing and unblocking action with a sharp piercing quality for toxic swollen sores — particularly dissolving unformed pus and promoting healing of suppurated lesions — and is stronger than Chuan Shan Jia, though it does not promote lactation.
  • Dry-fried Pangolin Scales Chao Shan Jia have less odor and pulverize more easily.
  • Vinegar Pangolin Scales Cu Shan Jia enter the Liver channel with strengthened ability to disperse Stasis, open the collaterals and relieve pain.

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