sheng tie luo

生铁落·Ferri Frusta

Oxidized Iron Filings

About sheng tie luo

Sheng Tie Luo (生铁落) is the flaky oxide struck from iron as it is forged, recorded as Ferri Frusta. It is acrid in flavour and cool in temperature, entering the Heart and Liver channels. The catalogue files it among the substances that nourish the Heart and calm the Spirit.

Names

Pinyin	sheng tie luo
Chinese	生铁落
Latin Name	Ferri Frusta
English Name	Oxidized Iron Filings
Japanese	shotetsuraku
Korean	saengcheolrak

Classification

Category: Nourish Heart, Calm Spirit
Channels: Heart, Liver
Flavour: Acrid
Temperature: Cool
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Calms the Liver and subdues rising Liver Yang

Irritability, agitation, bad temper and angry outbursts from Liver Excess

Sedates and anchors the Spirit

Palpitations, insomnia, fright and being easily startled

Clears Heat and resolves Phlegm-Fire disturbing the Heart

Mania and withdrawal (Dian Kuang)
Delirium in febrile disease

Resolves toxicity and helps close sores (topical)

Wounds and sores, dusted with the powder; a minor, largely historical use

Combinations

zhu sha + zhe bei mu + shi chan pu + gou teng
Phlegm-Fire disturbing the Heart, with manic behavior
gan cao
Mania brought on by a fit of rage

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any	30-60 g	—	—	—	—

Cautions

contraindication Spleen deficiency, especially with Spleen and Stomach Cold: a cold, heavy mineral that can aggravate loose stools, a poor appetite and Middle Jiao Cold
caution Deficient Liver Blood or Liver Yin, which its cooling, descending action can deplete further
caution Meant for acute agitation or mania over short courses under supervision, not for long-term daily use

Interactions

Drug interactions

Oral iron supplements, and drugs affected by iron binding such as tetracycline antibiotics and levothyroxine: its iron content warrants awareness (precautionary, from general iron pharmacology)