Qīng Méng Shí (青礞石), known in English as Chlorite schist (mica-schist) (Lapis Chloriti), is a neutral, sweet and salty Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung and Liver channels. Its main action: drives out stubborn Phlegm and descends Qi.
| Pinyin | Qīng Méng Shí (Qing Meng Shi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 青礞石 |
| English | Chlorite schist (mica-schist) |
| Botanical name | Lapis Chloriti |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Salty |
| Channels | Lung, Liver |
| Dosage | 6–10g (wrapped, decoct first); 1.5–3g in pills |
| Cautions | Strongly descending: avoid in pregnancy and in Spleen or Qi deficiency |
Actions
- Drives out stubborn Phlegm and descends Qi
- Calms the Liver and stops convulsions
Indications
- Stubborn Phlegm-Heat with wheezing and thick, sticky sputum
- Mania, seizures and convulsions from Phlegm
How to remember Qīng Méng Shí
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “Drives out stubborn Phlegm and descends Qi”
- Liver channel: from its action “Calms the Liver and stops convulsions”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Sweet: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Salty: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
Formulas containing Qīng Méng Shí
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Xìng Rén
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Qīng Méng Shí?
Qīng Méng Shí is neutral and sweet and salty.
Which channels does Qīng Méng Shí enter?
Qīng Méng Shí enters the Lung and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Qīng Méng Shí?
Drives out stubborn Phlegm and descends Qi; Calms the Liver and stops convulsions.
What is Qīng Méng Shí used for?
Stubborn Phlegm-Heat with wheezing and thick, sticky sputum; mania, seizures and convulsions from Phlegm.
Which formulas contain Qīng Méng Shí?
Gǔn Tán Wán.
Practise Qīng Méng 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.