Zhong Ru Shi (钟乳石) is stalactite, recorded as Stalactitum. It is sweet and acrid in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Lung channel alone.

Pinyin

zhōng rŭ shí

Chinese

钟乳石

Latin Name

Stalactitum

English Name

stalactite

Actions and indications

Warms the Lungs, resolves Phlegm, stops cough and calms wheezing

Cough, wheezing or asthma from Cold Phlegm with thin white sputum, particularly where Kidney Yang is also deficient
Wheezing and breathlessness from Lung consumption

Tonifies Kidney Yang and helps the Kidneys grasp Qi

Impotence and spermatorrhea
Cold, painful feet
Wheezing and shortness of breath, worse on breathing in, when weak Kidney Yang cannot grasp Qi
Fatigue, frequent urination at night, and a cold, aching lower back and knees from Kidney Yang deficiency

Benefits Qi, tonifies the Stomach and promotes lactation

Too little breast milk after childbirth

Calms stomach acid

Acid regurgitation or hyperacidity with stomach pain

Combinations

rou cong rong + bu gu zhi

Impotence with aching and pain of the low back and legs

hu tao ren + wu wei zi + ge jie

Kidney Yang Deficiency with wheezing and shortness of breath

ma huang + xing ren

Asthma from Cold-Phlegm

shan yao + yi yi ren

Lung consumption causing shortness of breath

lou lu + tong cao

Stomach Deficiency with insufficient lactation

huang qi + dang gui

Deficient Jing and Blood causing insufficient lactation

rou cong rong + bu gu zhi + ba ji tian + dong chong xia cao

Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence and spermatorrhea

lou lu + tong cao + tian hua fen

Stagnation causing insufficient lactation

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any

3-30 g

—

Cautions

caution Taken to excess or for too long, it can cause the Stomach Qi to stagnate

caution Long use can lead to sexual excess

contraindication Coughing of blood (hemoptysis)

contraindication Lung Heat, or Fire from Yin deficiency, which its warming nature does not suit

caution A raw mineral: sourcing, processing and cooking it before other herbs all matter for safety and effect; use under a qualified practitioner

caution Mineral medicinals as a class can carry trace elements such as lead or arsenic, so testing matters (a class-wide note, not a finding for this mineral)

zhōng rŭ shí

About zhōng rŭ shí

Names

Classification