Ophicalcite, Hua Rui Shi 花蕊石Hua Rui Shi (TCM) |
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OphicalcitePhoto by Lysippos (Wikimedia)
Minerological name:
Ophicalcitum
Serpentine mixed with Calcite
See Serpentine which is similar and used in Ayurveda.
Parts used:
Prepared Mineral
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral. Sour, astringent
Classification:
L. Stop Bleeding:
Constituents:
Calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium silicate, Fe, Al. There are also traces of Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr. It also contains small traces of Cd, Pb (less than 0.001%.)
Uses:
1. Stops Bleeding:
-Coughing or Vomiting Blood
-Gastrointestinal Bleeding, bleeding Gastric Ulcers (particularly effective for gastrointestinal bleeding)
-profuse Uterine bleeding, Postpartum Bleeding
2. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis:
-Internal Blood Stasis
-clears Afterbirth; expels a dead Fetus
3. Externally:
-powder can be applied topically to stop bleeding
-in plasters for Trauma and Bruising
Dose:
Powder: 500–1500 mg (some trials have used 4–8 grams of powder 2–3 times daily)
Decoction: 9–15 grams, decocted before adding herbs
Comment:
Ophicalcite Hua Rui Shi is very similar to Serpentine, used in Ayurveda and Unani. Both contain hydrated Magnesium silicate as primary ingredients. Ophicalcite is Serpentine mixed with Calcite. Both minerals are used to stop Bleeding in their respective systems. However, Serpentine is regarded as a tonic and has other uses. Therefore, we have listed them in separate Monographs. See Serpentine
Preparations:
1. Calcined or Quenched Ophicalcite:
It may be heated in a vessel until red hot, then powdered. It can also be heated to red hot, then dropped into cold water to facilitate powdering. This preparation makes it easier to powder and more gentle on the digestion.
2. Vinegar-prepared Ophicalcite:
It can also be heated and quenched in vinegar to enhance the effect of stopping bleeding.
3. Sulphur Calcined Ophicalcite:
Calcined with an equal amount of Sulphur for Bruising and Trauma.
Substitute:
1. Red Halloysite (Chi Shi Zhi, a variety of Red Earth) is similarly used to stop bleeding and has a similar nature.
2. Serpentine
Main Combinations:
1. Bleeding, Gastrointestinal bleeding, Vomiting and Cough Blood:
i. calcined Powder of Ophicalcite is taken with vinegar
ii. Ophicalcite with Notoginseng San Qi
iii. Ophicalcite with Notoginseng San Qi and carbonised Burnet root
iv. Ophicalcite with Bletilla Bai Ji
v. Powdered and calcined Ophicalcite is taken with boy’s urine.
vi. vinegar-prepared Ophicalcite is taken, followed by Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction)
2. Severe Cough with blood in the sputum, prepared Ophicalcite with Benicasa Dong Gua Zi, Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Coix Yi Yi Ren
3. Vomiting Blood from Liver heat, take prepared Ophicalcite and Notoginseng San Qi with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang.
4. Endometriosis with strong bleeding, prepared Ophicalcite with Dang Gui, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Salvia Dan Shen, Paeonia Chi Shao Yao, Cyperus Xiang Fu, Rhubarb (Da Huang)
5. Bruising:
i. Ophicalcite with Myrrh and Frankincense, mixed with vinegar and applied topically
ii. calcined Ophicalcite with calcined Sulphur topically
6. Cervical spondylopathy from Wind-damp, with dizziness, stiffness of the neck, shoulder and back pain, calcined Ophicalcite with Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Salvia Dan Shen, Paeonia Bai Shao, Earthworm (stir-fried) (Di Long), Frankincense (Ru Xiang), Myrrh (Mo Yao), Rehmannia Shu Di Huang (as in Jing Fu Kang Keli of the Chinese Pharmacopeia).
Major Formulas:
Jing Fu Kang Keli (Chinese Pharmacopeia)
Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Classical texts state it damages Yin and Blood.
Main Preparations used:
Calcined Ophicalcite