Lóng Gǔ (龙骨), known in English as Dragon bone (fossil) (Fossilia ossis mastodi), is a neutral, sweet and astringent Chinese herb from the Calm shen category. It enters the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: calms Shen, anchors Yang.
| Pinyin | Lóng Gǔ (Long Gu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 龙骨 |
| English | Dragon bone (fossil) |
| Botanical name | Fossilia ossis mastodi |
| Category | Calm shen |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Astringent |
| Channels | Heart, Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 15–30g (decoct first) |
| Cautions | Excess or Damp-Heat patterns |
Actions
- Calms Shen, anchors Yang
- Astringes — stops sweating, spermatorrhoea, leucorrhoea, bleeding
- Used topically to dry sores
Indications
- Palpitations, insomnia, anxiety from unsettled Shen
- Liver Yang rising
- Mania
- Spermatorrhoea
- Excessive sweating
How to remember Lóng Gǔ
Calm shen herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Kidney channel: like most Calm shen herbs
- Heart channel: from its action “Calms Shen”
- Liver channel: from its use for “Liver Yang rising”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Calm shen herbs vary in nature
- Astringent: unusual for Calm shen herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Lóng Gǔ
Other Calm shen herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Lóng Gǔ?
Lóng Gǔ is neutral and sweet and astringent.
Which channels does Lóng Gǔ enter?
Lóng Gǔ enters the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Lóng Gǔ?
Calms Shen, anchors Yang; Astringes — stops sweating, spermatorrhoea, leucorrhoea, bleeding; Used topically to dry sores.
What is Lóng Gǔ used for?
Palpitations, insomnia, anxiety from unsettled Shen; Liver Yang rising; mania; spermatorrhoea; excessive sweating.
Which formulas contain Lóng Gǔ?
Guì Zhī Gān Cǎo Lóng Gǔ Mǔ Lì Tāng and Zhèn Gān Xī Fēng Tāng.
Practise Lóng Gǔ 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.