血余炭

Naming

Xue Yu Tan (Crinis Carbonisatus)——Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Herbal)

The Processing of 血余炭

Origin

The burning substance of human hair.

Location

Everywhere.

The actual smell and taste

Scorched smell when burning and bitter taste.

Best quality

Black, lustrous and light.

Processing

Collected, purified, washed by base solution and clean water, dried in the sun; calcined and ground into powder.

The Effect of 血余炭

Property

Bitter, astringent, neutral; liver and stomach meridians entered.

Actions

Astringe and stop bleeding.

Indications

Bleeding

This herb is bitter and astringent. It is used in charcoal. It can astringe and stop bleeding with the combining action of resolving stasis. It has the feature of stopping bleeding without remaining stasis and is indicated for all kinds of bleeding. It is used both externally and internally. For nasal bleeding and gum bleeding, it is used alone externally. For hemoptysis or hematemesis, it is usually combined with stasis-resolving hemostatics. For instance it is combined with Hua Rui Shi and San Qi in Hua Xue Dan from Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu. For hematochezia due to fire of large intestine, it is combined with herbs that can clear fire of intestine and cool blood to stop bleeding. For instance it is combined with Di Yu and Huai Hua in San Hui San from Lei Zheng Zhi Cai.

Dosage and Administrations

Decoct 6~10g; take its powder l.5~3g. Proper dose for external application.