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Loadstone
磁石 〔磁石〕cí shí
Latin pharmacognostic name: Magnetitum
Alternate English names: magnetite
Alternate Chinese names: 玄石 xuán shí; 磁君 cí jūn; 慈石 cí shí; 处石 chù shí; 元武石 yuán wǔ shí; 吸铁石 xī tiě shí; 吸针石 xī zhēn shí
Kingdom: Plant
Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: A mineral mainly composed of Fe₃O₄. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)
Use: Medicinal
Category: Spirit-quieting agents / Heavy settling spirit-quieting agents
Properties: Salty; cold.
Channel entry: Heart, liver, and kidney channels.
Indications:
- Settles fright and quiets the spirit: Patterns of disquieted heart spirit, fright palpitations, mania and withdrawal, and epilepsy when these are due to yīn vacuity with yáng hyperactivity.
- Calms the liver and subdues yáng; boosts kidney yīn: Patterns of ascendant hyperactivity of liver yáng.
- Sharpens hearing and brightens the eyes:
Liver-kidney vacuity with deafness or dim vision. - Promotes qì absorption and stabilizes panting: Hasty panting due to kidney vacuity.
Dosage & Method: Oral: 9–30g in decoctions; use in pills and powders. Topical: Grind to a powder and rub on or apply mixed.
Warnings: Cí shí is not easily digested when swallowed as a powder or pill, so it should not be taken in excessive quantities. Use it with care in spleen-stomach vacuity.
Notes: Cí shí with a strong magnetic power, which is labeled as líng cí shí (灵磁石, Magnetitum Forte, strong loadstone) is superior to dāi cí shí (呆磁石 Magnetitum Debile, weak loadstone).
Quality: Loadstone with a strong magnetic power, called strong loadstone (靈磁石 líng cí shí), is superior to weak loadstone (呆磁石 dāi cí shí).
Product Area: Shāndōng, Héběi, Hénán, Jiāngsū, ānhuī, Liáoníng, Guǎngdōng.
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