Gypsum is a traditional Chinese medicine that belongs to the category of herbs that clear heat and purge fire. Gypsum resolves muscle tension and clears heat, relieves restlessness and quenches thirst. It is mainly used for conditions such as high fever that does not subside, restlessness and confusion, delirium, thirst and dry throat, rapid breathing due to lung heat, heat stroke with spontaneous sweating, and headache due to stomach fire. It should be avoided by those with weak spleen and stomach, blood deficiency, and yin deficiency with fever.
Introduction to Gypsum
Gypsum is a mineral sulfate in the gypsum family. It mainly contains calcium sulfate dihydrate which is widely distributed throughout the country. It is found in almost every province and region, with the best quality found in Hubei and Anhui provinces.
The nature, functions, and indications of gypsum: Nature and Channels Entered: Pungent and sweet, extremely cold. Enters the lung and stomach channels. Functions: Clears heat and purges fire, relieves restlessness and quenches thirst. Indications: Used for high fever with restlessness and thirst, lung heat cough and asthma, headache due to stomach fire, gum swelling and pain, chronic ulcers, eczema, and burns.
Effects of Gypsum
1. Anti-inflammatory effects
2. Analgesic effects
3. Sedative effects
4. Antipyretic effects
Treating Lung Heat and Cough with Gypsum
1. Gypsum is an essential herb for clearing the lung. It is used for lung heat with cough, asthma, and fever. It is often combined with other herbs such as Ephedra and Apricot Kernel to relieve cough and asthma, such as in Mahuang Shigan Tang.
2. Gypsum is pungent, sweet, and extremely cold. It can disperse heat externally and release heat internally. It is used for warm diseases with high fever, restlessness, sweating, and a strong pulse. It is often used together with Zhimu, which clears heat, purges fire, nourishes yin, and generates fluids, such as in Baihu Tang. If the condition is not resolved and the heat enters the blood, leading to high fever, vomiting of blood, and rashes, it is often combined with Xijiao and Shengdihuang to clear heat and cool blood, such as in Qingwen Baidu Yin.
3. After calcination, gypsum not only has the function of clearing heat but also has the effect of drying dampness. It is used for chronic ulcers that do not heal, eczema, and burns. It is often combined with Huangbo and Qindai, which clear heat, dry dampness, and detoxify, and applied topically as a powder. It can also be used alone as a powder for external application.
4. Gypsum clears heat and purges fire, mainly affecting the stomach channel. It is good at clearing stomach fire. It is used for headache, gum swelling and pain, mouth ulcers, and thirst caused by stomach fire. It is often used together with Shengdihuang, Zhimu, and Niuxi, such as in Yunu Jian.
Usage and Dosage of Gypsum
Gypsum should be avoided by those with weak spleen and stomach and yin deficiency with fever. Gypsum is extremely cold and may damage the yang qi of the spleen and stomach. It should be used with caution in those with weak spleen and stomach. The recommended dosage for raw gypsum is 15-60 grams, it is recommended to crush it and decoct it first. For calcined gypsum used externally, use an appropriate amount and apply it as a powder to the affected area.
