The efficacy and function of ox bile

As a traditional Chinese medicine, ox bile provides us with a variety of nutrients. It can also solve some diseases encountered by the body, so it is deeply loved by people. Let’s take a look at the nutritional value and benefits of ox bile.

[Source] The gallbladder or bile of cattle or buffalo is collected from slaughterhouses. After obtaining, it is hung up to dry in the shade or cut open the bile duct and poured into a container for sealed storage. Or it can be dried by heating.

[Habitat distribution] It is produced in most parts of the country.

[Properties] Fresh bovine gallbladder is kidney-shaped, about 18 to 20 cm long and about 5 to 6 cm at the widest point. When dried, it becomes sac-like with longitudinal wrinkles. Fresh bile is a green-brown or dark brown, slightly transparent liquid that is slightly viscous and becomes thick when it dries slightly. When completely dried, it is a green-brown solid and becomes powder when kneaded. It has a fishy smell and a bitter taste. Bile that is thick and green-brown in color is better; dry bile that is not worm-eaten is better.

[Chemical composition] In addition to water, cow bile mainly contains bile acid sodium salt, bile pigment, mucin and a small amount of fat, soap, cholesterol, lecithin, choline, urea and inorganic salts such as sodium chloride, calcium phosphate and iron phosphate.

【Nature and flavor】 "Bielu": "bitter, very cold."

[Entry into meridians] "Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Annals": "Enters the liver, gallbladder, and lung meridians."

[Functions and indications] Clears the liver and improves eyesight, promotes bile secretion and clears the intestines, detoxifies and reduces swelling, treats wind-heat eye diseases, jaundice, constipation, diabetes, infantile convulsions, carbuncles and hemorrhoids.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral administration: dry powder, 1 to 3 fen; or made into pills or powder. For external use: take the juice and apply it on or put it into eyes.

【Note】 "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "People with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold should avoid using this medicine. People with eye diseases other than wind-heat should not use this medicine."

[Additional prescription] ① To calm the liver and improve eyesight: Put 100 black beans in a dried ox gallbladder in the twelfth lunar month. Open the ox gallbladder after 100 days and swallow 27 beans after meals or at night. ("Medicine Properties")

[Clinical Application] Treatment of whooping cough: Take fresh ox bile, steam it and grind it into powder. Then mix 240 grams of ox bile powder, 240 grams of starch and 520 grams of white sugar into a powder. For children under 2 years old, take 0.5 to 1 gram per day; for children between 2 and 5 years old, take 1 to 1.5 grams per day; for children over 5 years old, take 1.5 to 2 grams per day, divided into 2 to 3 doses. At the same time, symptomatic treatment should be given. According to the observation of 250 cases, 52 cases were basically cured, 130 cases were alleviated, and the effective rate was 72.8%. It is more effective in the early stages and the efficacy can be improved if it is combined with asparagus mixture.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From Shennong's Herbal Classic

Based on the above summary, ox bile still has certain pharmacological effects. What needs to be noted is that ox bile should be consumed according to one's actual situation and not in excess.