1 TASTE
Sweet, pungent and very cold
2 MERIDIANS
Lung and stomach
3 FUNCTIONS
- To clear heat and sedate fire;
- To relieve irritability and thirst
4 INDICATIONS
- Excessive heat at the qi level due to invasion by exogenous pathogenic heat manifested as high fever, irritability, thirst, profuse sweating and surging, rapid and forceful pulse. Gypsum (Shi Gao [3]) is used with Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhi Mu [4]) in the formula Baihu Tang.
- Excessive heat at both qi and blood levels due to invasion by exogenous pathogenic heat manifested as continual high fever and maculopapule. Gypsum (Shigao) is used with Scrophularia (Xuan Shen [5]) and Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao).
- Cough and asthma caused by heat in the lungs manifested as cough and asthma accompanied by fever, thirst and desire to drink Gypsum (Shigao) is used with Ephedra (Ma Huang [6]) and Apricot seed (Xing Ren [7]) in the formula Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang.
- Flaring up of stomach fire manifested as toothache, swollen and painful gums and headache. Gypsum (shigao) is used with Fresh rehmannia root (Sheng Di Huang [8]) and Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu) in the formula Yunu jian.
- Eczema, burns and abscess.Gypsum(Shigao) is used with Natural indigo (Qing Dai [9]) and Phellodendron bark(Huang Bai [10]).
5 DOSAGE
15-60 g
6 COUTIONS
This herb is contraindicated in cases with a weak stomach.
Image of herb: Shi Gao [11]
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