long chi

Name: long chi
Creator: Bencao Index

龙齿·Dens Draconis

Dragon Teeth

About long chi

Long Chi (龙齿) is fossilised tooth, recorded as Dens Draconis. It enters the Heart and Lung channels, and the catalogue files it among the heavy substances that anchor, settle and calm the Spirit.

Names

Pinyin	long chi
Chinese	龙齿
Latin Name	Dens Draconis·Fossilia Dentis Mastodi
English Name	Dragon Teeth·dragon teeth; fossilized teeth·fossilized teeth
Japanese	ryushi
Korean	yongchi

Classification

Category: Anchor, Settle and Calm Spirit
Channels: Lung, Heart
Family: Carbonates|Phosphates
Species: Fossilized Teeth
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Settles fright and calms the Shen

Restlessness, anxious palpitations, insomnia and sleep disturbed by dreams
Fright disorders in children
Marked Heart and Liver disturbance with agitation verging on mania

Clears Heat and relieves irritability

Disturbed Shen with an accompanying Heat or agitation component

Calms the Liver and stops spasm

Irritability with spasms from stirring Liver Wind
Convulsions, including in children

Cautions

caution A heavy mineral that can damage Stomach Qi, bringing on indigestion and poor appetite; not for long-term use
contraindication Spleen and Stomach deficiency with Cold
contraindication An exterior pathogen that has not yet been resolved

Interactions

Drug interactions

Oral medicines in general: as a calcium-phosphate mineral it might bind some drugs and lower their absorption, so taking them at separate times is a sensible precaution (theoretical, not a documented interaction)