Xiong Dan - 熊膽 - Vessica Fel Ursi
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Vessica Fella Ursi |
| Common English: | Bear Gallbladder |
Category
Obsolete Substances: Herbs that Clear Heat and Drain Fire; Herbs that Clear Heat From the Qi StageProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Bitter (Salty) | Cold | Liver Gallbladder Heart Spleen (Stomach) | Pills and Powders: 1-2.5g Do not decoct Topically 60-90mg |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Clears Heat from the Heart and Liver and alleviates spasms (Liver Wind) | Childhood convulsions, epilepsy and eclampsia from Liver Fire (Generates Wind) Excess Heat Generates Wind Ying Stage Heat Gallbladder Fire Delirium associated with extensive burns Jaundice |
Clears Heat and resolves Fire toxicity | Fire toxicity with various hot, toxic lesions including sores and carbuncles, burning hemorrhoids and sore throat (topical application is especially effective at eliminating pain) |
Clears and drains Liver Heat and benefits the eyes | Sever cases of red, painful eyes Mild visual obstruction It can be used topically and internally |
Clears Heat and eliminates childhood nutritional impairment | Childhood nutritional impairment, primarily marked by Heat |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
|
| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Cinnabaris | Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae | Borneolum |
Febrile convulsions | Severe hepatitis Hepatic coma | Conjunctival swelling. pain and inflammation Mild visual obstruction Topically to relieve hemorrhoidal swelling, pain and inflammation due to toxic Heat |
| Moschus | Fr. Quisqualis | Rx. Isatidis |
Childhood nutritional impairment with hot limbs | Childhood nutritional impairment with wasting | Sore throat due to toxic Heat |
Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae | Cinnabaris | Succus Bambusae |
Jaundice due to Damp-Heat and toxins | Liver Wind | Childhood convulsions |
Notes
- Additional actions listed for this herb in various sources include reducing swelling and pain, killing intestinal parasites, dilating the Lungs and tonifying the Spleen and Stomach.
- Because it is so expensive, Vessica Fella Bovis Niu Dan (cattle Gall Bladder) or Fel Porcus Zhu Dan (pig Gall Bladder) is often used in its place. These have similar but weaker actions and need higher dosages.
- It is graded into three classes by color: 1) translucent, 2) yellowish-green, 3) dark brown or green.
- It is listed as an endangered species. – do not use.
- It cools Heat, relieves toxicity, brightens the eyes and relieves spasms and convulsions.
- For eclampsia, Xiong Dan is mixed into warm water and drunk.
- Its acids dissolve gallstones well, so it is used to prevent gallstone attacks.
- For eye disorders, it is used by itself Internally or topically.
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CONTRAINDICATIONS - Contraindicated in Cold from Deficiency (where there is no true Heat).
- Use with caution in pregnancy.
- Use with caution in Liver disease.
INCOMPATIBILITIES HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS