Cow
Bezoare (niu huang)
Calculus Bovis
Properties:
Bitter in flavour, cool in nature, it acts on heart and
liver channels. Being bitter for resolving phlegm;
aromatic, for resuscitation; and cool for clearing heat
and toxins; it acts on the liver channel to calm the
liver and stop the wind; and acts on the heart channel,
for resuscitation and restoring mentalfunction, clearing
away the heat and toxins. It is also indicated in sore
throat (Pharyngitis) and oral ulcers due to excess of
heat, pyogenic infection of skin due to toxic heat.
Effects:
Checking endogenous wind to relieve convulsion,
resolving phlegm to clear orifice and induce
resuscitation and clearing away heat and toxins.
Indications:
1. For infantile convulsion
high fever, it is often used together with cinnabar
(Cinnabaris), uncaria stem with hooks (Ramulus Uncariae
cum uncis) and scorpion (Scorpio), as in Cow-Bezoare
Powder; for high febrile coma due to exogenous heat,
unconsciousness, apoplexia, aphonia and hemiplegia due
to phlegm heat, the drug is used in combination with
herbs for clearing heat and toxins, checking endogenous
wind, inducing resuscitation, as in Cow-Bezoare Bolus,
Cow-Bolus for Resurrection and Treasured Bolus.
2. For swelling and pain in
the throat and oral canker sores (mouth and tongus), it
is often used with pearls powder spraying in the mouth
or applying on the diseased part with effects of
detoxication and analgesia, as in Pearl Powder; for
pyogenic infection of skin induced by toxic heat, it is
used with rhubarb (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), scutellaria
root (Radix Scutellariae), realgar (Realgar), as in
Cow-Bezoare Antitoxic Bolus: for mastitis, furuncle and
carbuncle and scrofula, it is often used with olibanum
(Resina Boswelliae carterii), common myrrh tree
(Commiphora Myrrha) and musk (Moschus) to promote blood
circulation and relieve pains and toxins, as in Pill of
Phinoceros Horn and Cow-Bezoare.
Dosage and Administration:
0.15-0.3g, as in pills or powders, not to be decocted,
proper amount for external use.
Precautions:
Its should be cautious in pregnancy.