Concretio Silicea Bambusae

Name

Tian Zhu Huang (Concretio Silicea Bambusae) — Shu Ben Cao (Materian Medica of Shu)

Source and quality

Plant

The cube after the liquid secretion inside of haulm dried of plant Bambusa textiles McClure or Schizostachyum chinense Rendle of family Poaceae.

Where it is grown

Yunnan, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces .

Harvest

Collected in autumn and winter.

Smell and taste

Light smell and taste.

Better grade

Big patch, gray and white, light weight, thin texture, high hygroscopicity.

Processing

Unprocessed.

Nature and action

Nature

Sweet, cold; heart and liver channels.

Actions

Clear and resolve heat-phlegm, clear heart and calm fright.

When it is used

A. Infantile convulsions, apoplexy, epilepsy, unconsciousness due to phlegm-heat

This herb can clear and resolve heat-phlegm. Its action of clearing heart and calming fright is similar to but weaker than that of Zhu Li. For infantile convulsions, apoplexy, epilepsy, unconsciousness of heat syndrome, it is often combined with heart-clearing and phlegm-resolving herbs and wind-extinguishing resuscitative herbs. For instance it is combined with Zhu Sha, She Xiang and Dan Nan Xing in Bao Long Wan from Xiao Er Zheng Zhi Jue for treating infantile convulsions due to phlegm-heat. For apoplexy due to phlegm accumulation and epilepsy due to phlegm-heat and so on, it is often combined with Huang Lian, Shi Chang Pu and Yu Jin to clear heat, dispel phlegm, resuscitate and refresh the mind. For coma and delirium of heat disease, it is combined with heart-clearing, toxicity-relieving as well as resuscitative and mind-refreshing herbs such as Niu Huang, Lian Qiao and Zhi Zi.

B. Cough and wheezing due to phlegm-heat

This herb can clear heat and resolve phlegm. For cough and wheezing due to phlegm-heat, it is combined with heat-clearing, phlegm-resolving herbs as well as cough and wheezing-relieving herbs such as Gua Lou, Zhe bei Mu and Ma Dou Ling.

Dose

Decoction 3~6 g. Grind into powder and take 0.6~l g once.