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Latin pharmacognostic name: Rhinocerotis Cornu

Alternate Chinese names: 香犀角 xiāng xī jiǎo; 低密 dī mì; 香犀角 xiāng niú jiǎo; 乌犀角 wū xī jiǎo; 犀角屑 xī jiǎo xiè

Kingdom: Animal

Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Rhinoceros unicornis L.; Rhinoceros sondaicus Desmarest; Rhinoceros sumatrensis (Cuvier); Rhinoceros bicornis L. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)

Origin (other sources): Rhinoceros unicornis L.*; Rhinoceros sondaicus Desmarest*; Rhinoceros sumatrensis (Cuvier) *; Rhinoceros bicornis L.*; Rhinoceros simus Burchell

Use: Medicinal

Category: Heat-clearing agents / Heat-clearing blood-cooling agents

Properties: Salty; cold.

Channel entry: Heart and liver channels.

Indications:

Xī jiǎo has similar properties and actions to Shuǐ niú jiǎo (水牛角 Bubali Cornu, water buffalo horn), but it is used in smaller doses (0.5–1.5g). Xī jiǎo is strictly protected under CITES law. Since the rhinoceros is a critically endangered animal, it is now replaced with shuǐ niú jiǎo.

Dosage & Method: Oral: Wet-grind to obtain juice or grind to a powder (0.9–1.8g); decoct (1.5–6g). Topical: Wet-grind and apply to the affected area.

Notes: Water buffalo horn is a substitute.

Product Description: The horn of the male can be up to 30 cm or more in length. It is curved and tapers to point. It is black, paling to a gray-brown at the base. The upper part is speckled and shiny. On the anterior face is a longitudinal groove about 10 cm long and 3 cm deep. The base is oval and has a 1.5 cm high protrusion where the groove meets it. The base has a cavity 2–6 cm deep, and 33 cm wide. It is symmetrical in shape, has irregular margins and is smooth.

Quality: Shiny, jet-black horn with a grayish-black base and no cracks is best. A fresh odor is also a sign of good quality.

Product Area: Thailand and India (the former being the better).

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