Cí Shí (磁石), known in English as Magnetite (lodestone) (Magnetitum), is a cold, acrid and salty Chinese herb from the Calm shen category. It enters the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: anchors Yang, calms Shen.
| Pinyin | Cí Shí (Ci Shi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 磁石 |
| English | Magnetite (lodestone) |
| Botanical name | Magnetitum |
| Category | Calm shen |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Acrid, Salty |
| Channels | Heart, Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 15–30g (decoct first) |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency; long-term use may impair Spleen |
Actions
- Anchors Yang, calms Shen
- Nourishes Kidney Yin, benefits vision and hearing
- Anchors Lung qi, calms wheezing
Indications
- Liver Yang rising with dizziness, palpitations, insomnia
- Kidney deficiency tinnitus and deafness
- Kidney deficiency wheezing
How to remember Cí Shí
Calm shen herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Heart channel: from its action “calms Shen”
- Liver channel: from its use for “Liver Yang rising with dizziness, palpitations, insomnia”
- Kidney channel: from its action “Nourishes Kidney Yin”
- Learn by heart
- Cold: Calm shen herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Calm shen herbs (most are sweet)
- Salty: unusual for Calm shen herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Cí Shí
Other Calm shen herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Cí Shí?
Cí Shí is cold and acrid and salty.
Which channels does Cí Shí enter?
Cí Shí enters the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Cí Shí?
Anchors Yang, calms Shen; Nourishes Kidney Yin, benefits vision and hearing; Anchors Lung qi, calms wheezing.
What is Cí Shí used for?
Liver Yang rising with dizziness, palpitations, insomnia; Kidney deficiency tinnitus and deafness; Kidney deficiency wheezing.
Which formulas contain Cí Shí?
Cí Zhū Wán.
Practise Cí Shí and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.