Gypsum Fibrosum
Source
The monoclinic system of gypsum ore, containing hydrous calcium sulfate
(CaSO4.2H2O).
Characteristics
A polymer of fibrous crystals, irregular in shape, varying in size, pale
or yellowish in colour, somewhat semitransparent, heavy in weight, brittle
in texture, easily to be longitudinally broken; longitudinal section showing
fibrous grains, with silky lustre. Sweet and acrid in taste, extremely
cold in nature, and attributive to lung and stomach channels.
Indication
1.
Clear away heat and purge sthenic fire: For qifen sthenic heat syndrome
with fever, thirst, yellowish fur, full and rapid pulse, usually used
together with Rhizoma Anemarrhenae; for excessive heat in qifen and xuefen
with high fever and skin eruptions, used together with Cornu Rhinocerotis,
Radix Scrophulariae, etc.; for hyperactivity of stomach-fire with headache,
swelling and pain of gum, or diabetes involving the middle-jiao, lung-heat
syndrome with dyspnea, used together with Herba Ephedrae, Semen Armeniacae
Amarum, Radix Glycyrrhizae.
2. Expel heat-evil from the muscles: For superficial heat-syndrome with
high fever and thirst.
3. Clear away heat and astringe (calcined gypsum): External use for unhealed
ruptured lesions, eczema and burn. In addition, internal use for osteoarthritis
deformans.
Pharmacological
Action
Hydrous calcium sulfate (CaSO4 2H2 0) is the main component and the trace
of Fe++ and Mg~ is present.
1. Its decoction can lower milk- or vaccine-induced fever in rabbits,
but pure calcium sulfate dose not possess this effect.
2. Its decoction can also quench thirst in rats.
Administration Decoction: 30-60g (crushed and decocted first). Powder: 3-6g bid or tid.; for osteoarthritis deformans, l-3g bid for 3-4 months. Caution For purging fire, gypsum not calcined is advisable.