Qing Meng Shi (Meng Shi)青礞石
Lapis ChloritiChlorite
Also known asLapis Mica seu Chloriti · Chloris · Mica
- Category
- Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat
- Nature
- neutral
- Taste
- sweet, salty
- Channels entered
- Liver, Lung, Stomach
- Dosage
- 6–15 g
Usual doses
- Dosage
- 6–15 g
- Pills and Powders
- 1.5–6 g
Actions & indications
- Descends Qi and reduces Phlegm (digests food )
- Chronic wheezing and cough due to old, stubborn Phlegm that has become especially viscous and clumped, Phlegm with pus
- Severe Food Stagnation
- Calms the Liver and suppresses jitteriness and convulsions (controls palpitations and seizures)
- Withdrawal-mania, chronic convulsions or severe palpitations due to Phlegm-Heat (Blocking the Heart Orifices)
Contraindications
- Contraindicated during pregnancy.
- Contraindicated in marked Qi or Blood Deficiency.
- Contraindicated in the presence of fever.
- Contraindicated in hoarseness.
- Contraindicated when Phlegm is mixed with blood.
- Use with caution in weak Spleen and Stomach.
Combinations
Longstanding, stubborn Phlegm causing wheezing, cough, palpitations with anxiety, mania and withdrawal, and constipation.
Severe Food Stagnation.
Childhood convulsions from Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Middle and/or Upper Jiao.
Notes
- Some sources categorize this herb as an anti-asthmatic.
- It treats Liver Invading the Spleen, a pattern that generates Phlegm above the diaphragm.
- It is also said to relieve constipation.
- Qing Meng Shi alone is said to sweep out the root of Phlegm from the deep, hidden recesses of the bowels.
- Qing Meng Shi and Haematitum Dai Zhe Shi are both heavy minerals with a sinking nature, and both pacify the Liver, calm convulsions, descend rebellious Qi, and scour out Phlegm. Dai Zhe Shi is bitter, sweet, and neutral; it mobilizes the Qi pathways, enters the Blood level, and is highly effective at suppressing rebellious Qi in the Chong channel, extinguishing Liver Wind, cooling the Blood, and stopping bleeding — valued especially for sedating the Liver and descending rebellious Qi. Qing Meng Shi acts more forcefully: salty in flavor, it works specifically on the digestive tract to clear Phlegm and Food Stagnation, and by removing the source of Food Stagnation it can clear the Lungs, Liver, and Stomach.
- Calcined Chlorite, Duan Meng Shi, is the form usually taken internally, since it causes Phlegm to sink.
- Flying Chlorite, Fei Meng Shi, results from aqueous trituration, which grinds it into a fine powder.