Unicorn Horn–Narwhal

Picture
Unicorn horn was listed in a number of traditional formula, usually against Heat, Poison, and Infectious diseases. Its use is similar to the use of Rhinoceros horn in TCM. For a long time, the exact source of this medicine was obscure. It has been said that sailors in northern waters would sometimes see horses on the beaches of Islands, and when they landed they would find long, pointed, spiral horns. This, perhaps, is the origin of the mythical Unicorn–the horse with a horn on its head. The horn, however, is from the Narwhal, and was revered as a potent medicine against Poison and Infectious diseases.

Picture


Mythical Unicorn
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578


Picture Illustration of both the mythical and true Unicorn (Narwhal)
Museum Museorum, Valentini, 1704

Picture ‘Unicorn Marinum’
Museum Wormianum, 1655

Picture Narwhal, the true source of Unicorn horn.
(Shaw, G. Zoological Lectures delivered at the Royal Institution, 1809)

Picture Narwhal horn
(Photo: Welcome)

Zoological name:
Monodon monoceros

Parts used:


Horn

Temperature & Taste:


Cold, dry. Salty

Classification:


3C. ALEXIPHARMICS
TCM:
B. Clears Heat, Cools the Blood

Uses:


1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Fevers, including Epidemic Fever
-venomous Bites including Snake Bite and Rabid Dogs
-generally used as Rhino horn in TCM

2. Cheers the Heart:
-used in Cordial preparations (especially the gelatin)


Dose:


Powder: 250mg–1 gram

Substitutes:


1. “Unicorn horn” in the West was used similarly to Rhinoceros horn in TCM. Both are used against Heat and Poison, and both were highly regarded for that purpose. TCM now considers the extract of Water Buffalo horn as an acceptable substitute for Rhino horn, and this may be used in place of Unicorn horn. The dose should be 10-fold, but the 10:1 extracts available may be used on a 1:1 basis in formula.
2. It was also accounted very similar to Ivory, and Ivory was regularly used as a “cheap” substitute for Narwhal horn.

Comment:


Powdered Narwhal horn sold for its weight in Gold a few centuries ago.

Main Combinations:


1. A Gelatin was prepared with a little Saffron and Cochineal, and this was used as a Cordial.

Cautions:


1. It is Cold, so generally only used in cases with Heat.

Main Preparations used:


Powder, Gelatin
History:
–The use of the unicorn’s horn, coral and stones in medicine