Lóng Chǐ (龙齿), known in English as Dragon teeth (fossil) (Dens Draconis), is a cool, sweet and astringent Chinese herb from the Calm shen category. It enters the Heart and Liver channels. Its main action: sedates and calms Shen; stronger than Lóng Gǔ for fright.
| Pinyin | Lóng Chǐ (Long Chi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 龙齿 |
| English | Dragon teeth (fossil) |
| Botanical name | Dens Draconis |
| Category | Calm shen |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Sweet, Astringent |
| Channels | Heart, Liver |
| Dosage | 15–30g (decoct first) |
| Cautions | Without heat; Damp patterns |
Actions
- Sedates and calms Shen; stronger than Lóng Gǔ for fright
- Settles palpitations
Indications
- Palpitations from fright, insomnia with dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety
- Mania and seizures
How to remember Lóng Chǐ
Calm shen herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Liver channel: like most Calm shen herbs
- Heart channel: from its action “Sedates and calms Shen; stronger than Lóng Gǔ for fright”
- Learn by heart
- Cool: Calm shen herbs vary in nature
- Astringent: unusual for Calm shen herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Lóng Chǐ
Other Calm shen herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Lóng Chǐ?
Lóng Chǐ is cool and sweet and astringent.
Which channels does Lóng Chǐ enter?
Lóng Chǐ enters the Heart and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Lóng Chǐ?
Sedates and calms Shen; stronger than Lóng Gǔ for fright; Settles palpitations.
What is Lóng Chǐ used for?
Palpitations from fright, insomnia with dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety; mania and seizures.
Which formulas contain Lóng Chǐ?
Ān Shén Dìng Zhì Wán.
Practise Lóng Chǐ 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.