Ci Shi - 磁石 - Magnetitum - Magnetite
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Magnetitum |
| Common English: | Lodestone Magnetite |
Category
Substances that Calm the Spirit: Substances that Anchor, Settle and Calm the SpiritProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Acrid Salty | Cold | Kidney Liver (Heart) (Lung) | 10-30g Powder or pills: 1-3g 15-30g (Secondary source) |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Anchors Liver Yang and calms the Spirit | Agitated Heart and Spirit with restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, tremors, dizziness and vertigo in patients with Yin Deficiency with Yang Rising, especially Kidney Rising, especially when Kidney Yin Deficiency leads to Liver Fire that deranges and disturbs the Spirit Convulsions in children caused by shock or fear |
Augments the Liver, Benefits Yin, Improves hearing and vision, Nourishes the Kidneys | Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency with impaired hearing or deafness, tinnitus or visual disturbances |
Aids the Kidneys in grasping Qi | Chronic asthma due to Kidneys Unable to Grasp Qi |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Cinnabaris | Fossilia Ossis Mastodi | Rx. Angelicae Sinensis |
Diminished visual acuity, as in cataracts, usually accompanied by irritability, due to Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. | Dizziness and vertigo associated with Yin Deficiency with Yang Rising. | Anemia, palpitations and insomnia. |
| Rx. Angelicae Sinensis | Rx. Angelicae Sinensis | Rx. Achyranthis Bidentatae |
Pronounced Yin Deficiency. | Ascendant Heat. | Dizziness, heaviness in the head, flushed face and palpitations due to Yin Deficiency with Yang Rising. |
| Concha Haliotidis | Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata | Fr. Lycii |
Dizziness, vertigo and a bad temper due to Liver Yang Rising. | Tinnitus or impaired hearing. | Diminished vision due to Liver and Kidney Deficiency. |
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata Or Flos Chrysanthemi | Haematitum | Cinnabaris |
Cataracts and other retinal problems. | Chronic coughing and wheezing due to inability of the Kidneys to grasp Qi. | Strongly sedates and calms to contain Floating Yang and prevent Heart Fire from attacking upward. Augments the Yin to reestablish communication between the Heart and Kidneys. Shen disturbance with palpitations, insomnia, irritability or epilepsy. |
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata | Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata | |
Blurred vision due to cataracts and disorders of the optic nerve or retina. | Respiratory difficulties. |
Notes
- Of all mineral substances, only Ci Shi is not toxic, coming close to harmony.
- It protects the True Yin.
- It frequently acts as the Chief herb, since it can descend to the lower body, nourish the Kidneys, augment Jing and Blood, and suppress and contain floating Yang.
- Ci Shi and Haematitum Dai Zhe Shi are both heavy substances that anchor the Yang, calm fright and quiet the Spirit. Ci Shi protects the True Yin and works best when deficiency of the True Yin in the lower body lets the Yang float upward. Dai Zhe Shi suppresses and descends Qi so as to clear and descend Liver Fire. It treats Liver Yang rising with dizziness, headaches and tinnitus, calms fright, and stops nausea, vomiting and wheezing. It also cools Liver Blood to stop bleeding.
- Calcined Magnetite Duan Ci Shi is easier to grind into powder and is more effective at tonifying the Kidneys, grasping Qi and improving hearing and vision, though it sedates less. Its indications are tinnitus, deafness, blurred vision, cataracts, wheezing from Kidney Deficiency and spermatorrhea.
- In Floating Magnetite Fei Ci Shi any arsenic present has been removed.