This kind of medicinal herbs take the main action of clearing away and purging pathogenic heat from qifen or the qi phase. They are mostly bitter in flavor and cold in nature while some are sweet and cold, so they are mainly indicated for sthenic heat-syndrome at qifen marked by febrile disease with high fever, restlessness, thirst, perspiration, full and big pulse and even coma and delirium.
They are separately indicated for fire-heat syndrome of zang and fu organs due to lung-heat, stomach-heat, heart-fire, and liver-fire, etc..
Shigao Gypsum Fibrosum .It is the monoclinic system of gypsum ore, containing hydrous calcium sulfate, its producing areas are in the provinces of Hubei, Gansu and Sichuan and can be mined all year round. The crude one may be pounded or calcined for being used as a medication.
Medicinal Properties Bitter and sweet in flavor, extreme cold in nature and attributive to the lung and stomach meridians.
Actions Clear away heat and purge fire, relieve restlessness and thirst, and induce astringent and promote tissue regeneration.
Application
1. It is used for high fever and excessive thirst. With strong actions of clearing away heat and purging fire, and relieving restlessness and thirst, it is the essential medicine to clear away sthenic heat in qifen of lung and stomach meridians. For sthenic-heat syndrome manifested as seasonal febrile disease in qifen, high fever, excessive thirst, and perspiration, it is often used together with Zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae), such as Baihu Tang (Decoction). For pyrosyndrome involving both qifen and xuefen with high fever, coma, delirium and maculae, it is usually combined with Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae ) , Mudanpi ( Cortex Moutan Radicis ), Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae ) and others that can cool blood.
2. For stagnation of heat in the lung manifested as cough, thick sputum, fever and thirst, it is often combined with Mahuang (Herba Ephedra ), Xingren ( Semen Armeniacae Amarum) to strengthen its action of relieving cough and asthma, such as Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (Decoction).
3. For up-rising of stomach-fire with headache, swelling and pain of gum, it is often combined with Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Shengma ( Rhizoma Cimicifugae) and others that can clear away stomach-heat, such as Qingwei San (Powder).
4. Externally used for inducing astringent and promoting tissue regeneration, pyocutaneous disease, eczema, burned or boiled wounds and bleeding due to trauma. It can be used in single or together with Qingdai ( Indigo Naturalis), Huangbai ( Cortex Phellodendri ), etc. to clear away heat and remove toxic materials, eliminate dampness and treat ulcer.
Usage and Dosage 15 -60 g is used in decoction for oral use and the crude is suitable to be broken and decocted early; externally used with suitable amount, calcined and then pounded into powder which is mixed with water, being covered on the wounded area.
Notes It is contraindicated in the patient with deficiency and cold of the spleen and stomach, or interior heat due to yin deficiency.
