Shi Gao
(SGK029)
Gypsum
Gypsum Fibrosum
Shi Gao (Gypsum) is a mineral of hydrated calcium sulphate (CaS04. 2H20). It is widely
distributed and deposited in almost all the provinces and regions of China. The major sources are
in Hubei, Gansu and Sichuan Provinces, with the best quality product in Ying City, Hubei
Province. It is mined all the year round, ground and used unprepared or calcined.
Properties: Being pungent and sweet in flavour, cold in nature, it acts on the lung and
stomach channels. The cold property of the drug clears away the heat, the pungent flavour expels
the heat and the sweet flavour promotes the production of the body fluid. The drug is good at
clearing away the intense heat in the Qi system and excessive fire of lung and stomach, hence
relieving restlessness and quenching thirst. Therefore, it is one of the important drugs for treating
the syndromes of excessive heat in the Qi system, cough and asthma caused by intense heat and
excess of stomach fire. The property of the drug becomes astringent calined and the calcined
gypsum can promote regeneration of the tissue and wound healing.
Effects: Clearing away heat and fire, relieving restlessness and thirst, promoting the
regeneration of the tissue and wound healing.
Indications:
1. For treating febrile diseases caused by extranous pathogens in the Qi system, manifested
by high fever, dysphoria, profuse sweating, thirst, and full pulse. .it is often used in combination
with Zhi Mu (anemarrhena rhizome) as Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), to clear the
excessive heat in the Qi system, and relieve restlessness and thirst. If the intense heat is in both Qi
and blood systems, manifested by high fever and skin rash, Xi Jiao (rhinoceros horn) and Di
Huang (rehmannia root) are used together with Shi Gao (gypsum), known as Huaban Tang
(Decoction for Relieving Feverish Rash), to clear away the heat in both the Qi and blood systems,
cool blood and eliminatging skin rash.
. 2. For treating pathogenic heat stagnated in the lung, manifested by obstruction of the
lung-qi, high fever, asthma, it is used in combination with Ma Huang (ephedra) and Ku Xin Ren
(apricot kernel) known as Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (Decoction of Ephedra, Apricot kernel,
Gypsum and Liquorice) to clear away the lung-heat and promote the dispersing function of the
lung. For treating swollen pharynx and larynx, canker sore, toothache, and headache due to the
rising up of the stomach-fire, Zhi Mu (anemarrhena Root), Huang Lian (coptis root), and Sheng
Ma (cimicifuga) are used in combination with Shi Gao (gypsum) to purge fire and remove toxins.
3. For treating chronic ulcer, eczema, burns and scalds, Shi Gao (gypsum) is calcined, called
Duan Shi Gao, and ground into fine powder for external application because it has the functions of
clearing away fire, promoting tissue regeneration and wound healing.
Dosage and Administration: 15~ 60g. For clearing away heat and fire, it should be taken
orally unprepared, decocted in water prior to other drugs! Duan Shi Gao (Calcined gypsum) is
only for external use.
Precautions: Shi Gao (Gypsum)is contraindicated for cold syndrome of deficiency type in the
spleen and stomach (middle jiao).
Modern Researches: Unprepared gypsum has significant antipyretic effects on the fever
caused by endotoxin and reducing the thirst as well. When used externally, it decreases the
vascular permeability,acting as an anti-inflammatory agent.
石膏《本经》
石膏 Cypsum 为一种矿石含水硫酸钙 (CaSO4 . 2H2O) 。分布极广 , 几乎中国各省区皆有蕴
藏 , 主产于湖北、甘肃及四川 , 以湖北应城产者最佳。全年可挖。研细生用或煅用。
【 药性说明】味辛、甘 , 性大寒。归肺、胃经。本品大寒清热 , 辛寒透热 , 甘寒生津 , 善于
清泄气分实热、肺胃实火而除烦止渴。故为热人气分、实热喘咳、胃火亢盛之要药。煅后性涩 ,
敛疮生肌。
【药物功效】清热泻火 , 除烦止渴 , 敛疮生肌。
【临床应用】
1. 治外感热病 , 邪在气分 , 症见高热烦躁 , 大汗、大渴 , 脉洪大有力者 , 配知母同用 , 以清
气分实热 , 除烦止渴 , 如白虎汤。若气血并热 , 高热发斑 , 即气血两孀 , 配犀角、生地同用 ,
以气血 双清 , 凉血消斑 , 如化斑汤。
2. 治邪热郁肺 , 肺气失宣 , 高热喘急 , 配麻黄、杏仁以清泄肺热 , 宣肺止咳 , 如麻杏石甘
汤。治胃火亢盛引起的咽肿口疮、牙痛头痛 , 配知母、黄连、升麻等药 , 以泻火解毒。
3. 治疮殇久溃不敛 , 或湿疮湿彦、水火烫伤等 , 本品锻过研末外用 , 有清火敛疮生肌之功。
【用量用法】 15_60 克。内服清热泻火宜生用 , 人汤剂打碎先煎 ; 锻石膏只供用。
【使用注意】中焦虚寒者忌用。
【现代研究】生石膏对内毒素发热有明显的解热效果 , 并可减轻其口渴状态 ; 外用能降低血管
通透性而起消炎作用。
Basic knowledge of Herbology