The efficacy and function of ginger stone

Many people are not very clear about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine ginger stone. Let’s take a look below.

[Other names] Sand ginger stone, gravel, cracked ginger stone

[Source] Medicinal material source: calcareous nodules in loess or weathered red soil layers.

[Original form] The main constituent minerals of calcareous nodules in loess or weathered laterite layers are calcite, quartz and clay minerals. The crystal structure of calcite belongs to the trigonal system. It is a fine-grained crystalline and finely dispersed cryptocrystalline crusty cement. White or off-white. Earthy luster. Cleavage is not visible to the naked eye. Hardness 3. The relative density is about 2.7. The hardness and density vary due to the doping of secondary minerals.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Mainly produced in the loess belt of North China and Northwest China and the red upper layer of the ancient weathering crust of limestone.

【Properties】 Identification of properties: This product is in irregular block shape. Khaki or light grey; streak light yellow. Opaque, earthy luster. The surface is slightly uneven and has cracks. It is heavy, hard, and can be smashed. The cross section is granular, dark in color, and has visible tuberculosis-like circular marks or grayish-white crystalline layers. It has an earthy smell and a light taste. It foams violently when in contact with cold dilute hydrochloric acid.

【Chemical composition】 Mainly calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It also contains elements such as fluorine, iodine, silicon, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt, vanadium, chromium, tin, tungsten, selenium, and molybdenum.

[Identification] (1) Take about 0.5 g of the powder of this product, add 5 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid, and boil it. Introduce the generated carbon dioxide into the calcium hydroxide test solution, and a white precipitate will be generated. (Check carbonate) (2) Filter the boiled solution. Add 2 drops of methyl red indicator solution to the filtrate, neutralize with ammonia test solution, then add hydrochloric acid until it is just acidic, add ammonium oxalate test solution, and a white precipitate will be formed; separate, the precipitate is insoluble in acetic acid, but soluble in hydrochloric acid. (Check calcium salt) (3) X-ray diffraction analysis curve (calcium nodule) calcite: 3.88 (1), 3.05 (10); quartz: 4.29 (1), 336 (2).

【Nature and flavor】 Salty; cold; non-toxic

【Meridian】 Heart; Stomach meridian

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat, detoxifies and reduces swelling. Mainly used for furuncle, carbuncle, mastitis, scrofula, pea sore

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: in the form of pills or powder, 1-3g per day; or taken as a drink. For external use: take appropriate amount and grind into powder for application.

[Additional prescription] "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Jiangshi is named after its shape, or it is gravel. Shao Bowen said: 'There are extremely harsh things in the sky and extremely dark things in the earth, and the stones that get them become gravel.' It is commonly called (Shiqiang) Li." Therefore, it is also called (Shiqiang) Lishi.

[Explanations by various scholars] "Compendium of Materia Medica" says: "It can be found everywhere. It must be picked out of the sunlight. The slightly white ones are better."

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Above we introduced what ginger stone is. We know that ginger stone is a common Chinese herbal medicine with good health and wellness effects. It has many benefits to the human body and can relieve many symptoms. How about it, do you understand?