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Knowledge baseHerbs

Ci Shi磁石

MagnetitumMagnetite

Also known asLodestone

Category
Substances that Anchor, Settle and Calm the Spirit
Nature
cold
Taste
pungent, salty
Channels entered
Kidney, Liver
Secondary channels
Heart, Lung
Dosage
10–30 g

Usual doses

Dosage
10–30 g
Powder or pills
1–3 g

Actions & indications

Anchors Liver Yang and calms the Spirit
  • Agitated Heart and Spirit with restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, tremors, dizziness and vertigo in patients with Yin Deficiency with Yang Rising, especially Kidney Rising, especially when Kidney Yin Deficiency leads to Liver Fire that deranges and disturbs the Spirit
  • Convulsions in children caused by shock or fear
Benefits Yin, nourishes the Kidneys, augments the Liver and improves hearing and vision
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency with impaired hearing or deafness, tinnitus or visual disturbances
Aids the Kidneys in grasping *Qi*
Chronic asthma due to Kidneys Unable to Grasp Qi

Contraindications

  • Use cautiously in those with a weak Spleen or Stomach.
  • Avoid combining with iron.
  • Avoid excessive or prolonged use in pill or powder form.

Incompatibilities

Antagonizes Cx. Moutan Mu Dan Pi.

Combinations

Notes

  • Nearly all mineral substances are toxic, but Ci Shi is an exception, being close to harmonious.
  • It protects the True Yin.
  • It frequently acts as the Chief herb, owing to its ability to descend to the lower body, nourish the Kidneys, augment Jing and Blood, and suppress and anchor floating Yang.
  • Ci Shi and Haematitum Dai Zhe Shi are both heavy substances that anchor Yang, calm fright and settle the Spirit. Ci Shi protects the True Yin and suits cases where True Yin Deficiency in the lower body allows Yang to float upward. Dai Zhe Shi suppresses and sends Qi downward to clear and descend Liver Fire, treating Liver Yang rising with dizziness, headaches and tinnitus, calming fright and stopping nausea, vomiting and wheezing; it also cools Liver Blood to stop bleeding.
  • Calcined Magnetite Duan Ci Shi pulverizes more easily and has a stronger effect on tonifying the Kidneys, grasping Qi and improving hearing and vision, though its sedative action is weaker; it treats tinnitus, deafness, blurred vision, cataracts, Kidney Deficiency wheezing and spermatorrhea.
  • Floating Magnetite Fei Ci Shi has had any arsenic content removed.

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