Shi Gao
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Shi Gao in TCM:

Explore the properties of Shi Gao according to Chinese
Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):


Factoids:
English Name: gypsum
Pharmacuetical Name: Gypsum Fibrosum
Properties: acrid, sweet, very cold


Temperature: cold

Channels: LU, ST

Flavors: sweet, pungent

Special Properties:
clears heat, resolves phlegm, stops bleeding, resolves dryness


    Alternate Forms:
  • duan - used topically
  • sheng - used internally

Actions / Indications:
  • Clears heat, drains fire (qi level or yangming meridian heat unlike other heat clearing herbs shi gao generates body fluids, red tongue with yellow coat, interior heat without chills, irritability; indicated for 4 greats / 4 bigs: thirst, sweat, pulse, fever)
  • Clears Excess heat from LU (relieve dyspnea or cough and wheeze w/ thick yellow sputum; fever)
  • Clears blazing ST fire (stomach channel heat; headache, toothache, ulcers, red, swollen, painful gums, canker sores; acid reflux, excessive appetite or vomiting due to ST heat; xiao ke)
  • Heals sores; generates flesh (non-healing ulcers, sores, burns, eczema: used topically to promote healing of sores by reducing swelling and bleeding)
  • (cc: weak ST or minute pulse)
  • (cc: yang deficiency or heat from yin deficiency)
  • (cooking: crush and cook 20-30 minutes first)