Starfish, Hai Xing 海星

Hai Xing (TCM)

Above 2 different types of Starfish available at the Chengdu Market;
Left: Craspidaster hesperus; Right: Asterias amurensis (Adam, 2016, 2017)

Zoological name:
Asterias spp. and others.
Those available on the Chinese market include Asterias spp. and Craspidaster spp.

Parts used:

Whole dried Starfish

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral, Sweet, Salty. Slightly Toxic

Uses:

1. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Lumps:
-Scrofula, Goiter (TCM, West)
-Breast lumps and pain from obstructed Milk
-sometimes ashed in the West for this purpose
-also for Wind-Phlegm Epilepsy in TCM

2. Clears Stomach Heat:
-Stomach Pain, Gastric Ulcer, Hyperacidity
-Diarrhea

3. Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Lower Back Pain, nocturnal urination
-Impotence

4. Externally:
-boiled in Sesame oil and applied to Otitis Media (good results)

Dose:

Craspidaster hesperus: 10–30 grams in Decoction (often with Pork); 2–3 grams in Powder (rarely);
Asterias amurensis: 5–10 grams in decoction.
The ash was also used in the West.

Main Combinations:

1. For Scrofula, Goiter:
i. Pumice, Cuttlefish bone, Sponge, Star Fish, equal parts. Burn to ashes (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
ii. Star Fish, Kelp, Self Heal
2. Kidney weakness with Impotence, Star Fish, Cistanches Rou Cong Rong, Cinnamon

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

None noted
Some species are poison.