✵The article records the herb Limonite—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and its source: a kind of mineral, namely brownish iron ore. It provides a detailed introduction to the mineral’s characteristics, geographical distribution and ecological environment, as well as the herb’s characteristics, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Limonitum (Limonite)
Pinyin Name: Yǔ Yú Liánɡ
English Name: Limonite
Latin Name:Limonitum Properties and Flavors: Warm or neutral in nature; pungent and sweet.
Brief Introduction:Limonitum is a brownish iron ore, primarily composed of hydrated iron oxide [FeO(OH)]. It is used as an astringent to treat chronic diarrhea, dysentery, menorrhagia, and leukorrhea. The herb is commonly known as Limonite or Yǔ Yú Liáng.
Source: Classical herbal works define Limonitum (Limonite) as a brownish iron ore primarily composed of hydrated iron oxide [FeO(OH)]. This commonly used mineral is described as follows:
(1) Brownish iron ore.
Mineral Description: Brownish iron ore is also known as Limonite. Its main constituent is goethite [FeO(OH)], with a crystal structure belonging to the orthorhombic system (formerly termed “trimetric” or “rhombic”). Internally, it exhibits a chain-like structure and contains variable amounts of adsorbed water, forming hydrogoethite [FeO(OH)·nH2O]. It may also contain lepidocrocite [FeO(OH)], turgite (hydrohematite, Fe2O3·nH2O), hydrated silica, clay minerals, and other admixtures. Its chemical composition varies by geographic origin, and individual specimens are chemically and texturally heterogeneous. Morphologically, it occurs as irregular cryptocrystalline masses, secretions, or concretions. Fullonite crystals are not visible to the naked eye; however, fibrous microcrystals may occur in the testa layer. The pure portion ranges in color from yellow through brownish-yellow and tawny (yellowish-brown) to brown—variation attributable to gelatinous water content. Streak is faint yellow to tawny. The hydrous portion appears brownish-red to reddish; manganese-rich earthy portions—or those contaminated with manganese or cobalt (Co)—appear brown-black or brown-purple; silica-, clay-, or shell-rich portions appear ash-gray (grayish-white) or sallow (grayish-yellow). The surface is typically uneven or coated with powdery brown iron ore and displays a submetallic or earthy luster. It is opaque and lacks cleavage. Fracture surfaces are uneven or exhibit testa- or lamina-layered structures, showing variable colors and textures. Hardness ranges from 2 to 5 (occasionally reported as 1–4); dense portions approach the hardness of a steel knife blade, while loose portions are softer than a human fingernail—yet still capable of scratching fingernails or coins. Relative density ranges from 3.3 to 4.3. High-grade herb specimens are odorless, tasteless, and non-gritty upon chewing.
Ecological Environment: Brownish iron ore forms primarily through oxidative decomposition of preexisting iron-bearing minerals, followed by hydrolysis, transport, and deposition. It commonly accumulates in weathering crusts on the Earth’s surface.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb occurs as lumpy aggregates, typically irregular rhombic blocky or ovoid nodules—often with a central core or hollow cavity, though intact specimens are rare. Usually, the outer shell separates from the core; the shell fragments into irregular rhombic or flattened blocks of varying size and thickness. The surface is predominantly uneven (with depressions and elevations), khaki, tawny, or brown; the inner surface is coarse and rough, often coated with khaki-colored fine powder. The herb is heavy and firm in texture, yet brittle enough to crush. Its fracture is lamellar (layered), displaying variable colors—including khaki, brown, puce (purple-brown), and gray-cyan (gray-blue). Layer thickness varies, with brown or puce layers typically being the thickest. Concretions are subsphaeroidal (nearly spherical), with coarse, rough surfaces bearing adherent fine powder; color ranges from yellow-brown to brown. Their fracture is non-lamellar but honeycombed (faviform), containing numerous small pores. Some lack a discernible core when broken, releasing yellow powder that soils fingers and imparts a slightly slippery (lubricous) sensation. The herb has an earthy odor or is nearly odorless, tastes mild, and is non-gritty when chewed.
Medicinal Efficacy: Astringent and antidiarrheal; astringent and hemostatic; anti-leukorrheal. It is indicated for chronic diarrhea, protracted dysentery, hematochezia, metrorrhagia, metrostaxis, pathological leukorrhea, and anal fistula.
Administration of Limonitum (Yǔ Yú Liánɡ):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Limonitum (Yǔ Yú Liánɡ)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 9–15 grams, decocted first in herbal formulas; or prepared as pills or powder. (2) Internally: water decoction, 3–5 qián (approximately 9–15 grams); or prepared as pills or powder. External use: finely ground herb powder applied topically—either sprinkled onto affected areas or affixed as a paste. (3) Internally: water decoction, 3–5 qián (approximately 9–15 grams); or prepared as pills or powder. External use: finely ground herb powder applied topically—either sprinkled onto affected areas or affixed as a paste.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Limonitum is contraindicated with Bulbus Fritillariae, Calamus, and Ferri Pulvis.
✵The article records the herb Limonite—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and its source: a kind of mineral, namely brownish iron ore. It provides a detailed introduction to the mineral’s characteristics, geographical distribution and ecological environment, as well as the herb’s characteristics, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Yǔ Yú Liánɡ
Mineral Description: Brownish iron ore is also known as Limonite. Its main constituent is goethite [FeO(OH)], with a crystal structure belonging to the orthorhombic system (formerly termed “trimetric” or “rhombic”). Internally, it exhibits a chain-like structure and contains variable amounts of adsorbed water, forming hydrogoethite [FeO(OH)·nH2O]. It may also contain lepidocrocite [FeO(OH)], turgite (hydrohematite, Fe2O3·nH2O), hydrated silica, clay minerals, and other admixtures. Its chemical composition varies by geographic origin, and individual specimens are chemically and texturally heterogeneous. Morphologically, it occurs as irregular cryptocrystalline masses, secretions, or concretions. Fullonite crystals are not visible to the naked eye; however, fibrous microcrystals may occur in the testa layer. The pure portion ranges in color from yellow through brownish-yellow and tawny (yellowish-brown) to brown—variation attributable to gelatinous water content. Streak is faint yellow to tawny. The hydrous portion appears brownish-red to reddish; manganese-rich earthy portions—or those contaminated with manganese or cobalt (Co)—appear brown-black or brown-purple; silica-, clay-, or shell-rich portions appear ash-gray (grayish-white) or sallow (grayish-yellow). The surface is typically uneven or coated with powdery brown iron ore and displays a submetallic or earthy luster. It is opaque and lacks cleavage. Fracture surfaces are uneven or exhibit testa- or lamina-layered structures, showing variable colors and textures. Hardness ranges from 2 to 5 (occasionally reported as 1–4); dense portions approach the hardness of a steel knife blade, while loose portions are softer than a human fingernail—yet still capable of scratching fingernails or coins. Relative density ranges from 3.3 to 4.3. High-grade herb specimens are odorless, tasteless, and non-gritty upon chewing.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb occurs as lumpy aggregates, typically irregular rhombic blocky or ovoid nodules—often with a central core or hollow cavity, though intact specimens are rare. Usually, the outer shell separates from the core; the shell fragments into irregular rhombic or flattened blocks of varying size and thickness. The surface is predominantly uneven (with depressions and elevations), khaki, tawny, or brown; the inner surface is coarse and rough, often coated with khaki-colored fine powder. The herb is heavy and firm in texture, yet brittle enough to crush. Its fracture is lamellar (layered), displaying variable colors—including khaki, brown, puce (purple-brown), and gray-cyan (gray-blue). Layer thickness varies, with brown or puce layers typically being the thickest. Concretions are subsphaeroidal (nearly spherical), with coarse, rough surfaces bearing adherent fine powder; color ranges from yellow-brown to brown. Their fracture is non-lamellar but honeycombed (faviform), containing numerous small pores. Some lack a discernible core when broken, releasing yellow powder that soils fingers and imparts a slightly slippery (lubricous) sensation. The herb has an earthy odor or is nearly odorless, tastes mild, and is non-gritty when chewed.
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