✵This article records the herb Mica-schist—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, property and flavor—as well as its botanical (mineralogical) sources: (1) Vermiculite Schist and (2) Hydrobiotite Schist. It provides a detailed description of the mineralogical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two minerals; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Mica-schist; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Lapis Micae Aureus (Mica-schist)
Pin Yin Name: Jīn Méng Shí
English Name: Mica-schist
Latin Name:Lapis Micae Aureus Property and Flavor: warm, pungent, sweet
Brief Introduction:Lapis Micae Aureus is a golden-colored mineral mica-schist, commonly processed into pills or powders to resolve phlegm and suppress convulsions. It is used clinically for cough and dyspnea with sticky sputum, epilepsy, and mania. It is also known as Lapis Micae Aureus, Mica-schist, or Jīn Méng Shí.
Mineral Source: Classical herbal works define Lapis Micae Aureus (Mica-schist) as schist derived from: (1) Vermiculite Schist or (2) Hydrobiotite Schist. These two commonly used schists are described below:
(1) Vermiculite Schist.
Description: Vermiculite schist consists predominantly of vermiculite—a scaly mineral—with hydrobiotite as a secondary constituent; it contains trace amounts of ordinary amphibole and quartz. The scales are small and fine; the fracture surface is lamellar; microscopically, the flakes exhibit oriented arrangement. It displays a scaly crystalloblastic texture and lamellar structure. The schist is lightweight, light brown to pale brown, and exhibits a golden luster. Its texture is soft and fragile; fragments are predominantly squamuliform (small-scale-shaped).
Characteristics of the Herb: Vermiculite schist consists predominantly of vermiculite—a scaly mineral—with hydrobiotite as a secondary constituent; it contains trace amounts of ordinary amphibole and quartz. The scales are small and fine; the fracture surface is lamellar; microscopically, the flakes exhibit oriented arrangement. It displays a scaly crystalloblastic texture and lamellar structure. The schist is lightweight, light brown to pale brown, and exhibits a golden luster. Its texture is soft and fragile; fragments are predominantly squamuliform (small-scale-shaped).
Medicinal Efficacy: Resolves phlegm and directs Qi downward; calms Liver-Yang and suppresses wind (convulsions). Indicated for stubborn phlegm accumulation, cough and wheezing, epilepsy and mania, chest oppression and irritability, convulsions, and hypertonicity.
Administration of Lapis Micae Aureus (Jīn Ménɡ Shí):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Lapis Micae Aureus (Jīn Ménɡ Shí)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–6 grams, usually prepared as pills or powders; (2) Internally: prepared as pills or powders, 3–6 grams; or water decoction, 10–15 grams—decocted wrapped in cloth.
(2) Hydrobiotite Schist.
Description: Hydrobiotite schist exhibits a scaly metamorphic structure and lamellar cleavage. It is yellowish-brown, dark brown, or dark ferruginous yellow, with a golden or silvery luster. The mineral mass is lightweight, soft, and brittle—resembling wheat bran when fractured.
Characteristics of the Herb: It occurs as irregular blocks composed of fine scaly minerals, yellowish-brown or dark ferruginous yellow in color, with golden-yellow or silvery-white luster. Higher-grade herb material is intact, golden in hue, and free of impurities.
✵This article records the herb Mica-schist—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, property and flavor—as well as its botanical (mineralogical) sources: (1) Vermiculite Schist and (2) Hydrobiotite Schist. It provides a detailed description of the mineralogical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two minerals; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Mica-schist; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pin Yin Name: Jīn Méng Shí
Characteristics of the Herb: Vermiculite schist consists predominantly of vermiculite—a scaly mineral—with hydrobiotite as a secondary constituent; it contains trace amounts of ordinary amphibole and quartz. The scales are small and fine; the fracture surface is lamellar; microscopically, the flakes exhibit oriented arrangement. It displays a scaly crystalloblastic texture and lamellar structure. The schist is lightweight, light brown to pale brown, and exhibits a golden luster. Its texture is soft and fragile; fragments are predominantly squamuliform (small-scale-shaped).
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