- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Mineral; mined in China and elsewhere
Asia · Mineral · № 668
Gypsum fibrosum (calciumsulfaat)
Mineral · Asia
Gypsum (shi gao)
Gypsum fibrosum (calciumsulfaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly cooling in high fever with thirst and sweating, lung heat and stomach fire.
Safety notes
Not with a weak stomach or without real heat. Always have high fever assessed medically, especially in children. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Finely ground mineral. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that cool internal heat'. Raw gypsum (shi gao) is the main remedy for high fever with thirst and sweating, and the main ingredient of Bai Hu Tang (Japanese: Byakkoto). Calcined gypsum was used externally on wounds.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- pungent, sweet, very cold
- Meridians
- stomach, lung
Attributed effects
One of the strongest fever-reducing remedies in high fever without chills with restlessness, great thirst, sweating and a full, rapid pulse. Cools the lungs in cough and wheezing with thick phlegm and stomach fire in headache, toothache and gingivitis. Externally as a powder on burns, eczema and festering spots.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 10–50 g a day, cooked long beforehand. It is not itself antibacterial; therefore often combined with zhi mu. Boil gypsum for 1–2 hours before adding the other herbs.
Combinations
- With zhi mu, rice and licorice in bai hu tang ('white tiger') for high fever
- With ginseng added when there is deficiency at the same time
- With ma huang and apricot kernel for asthma from lung heat
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen