✵This article documents the herb hematite, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical/mineral source—namely, a dark-brown iron ore. It provides a detailed introduction to the mineral’s characteristics, geological formation, ecological context, macroscopic and microscopic features of the crude herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Haematitum (Hematite)
Pinyin Name: Zhě Shí, or Dài Zhě Shí
English Name: Hematite
Latin Name:Haematitum Properties and Flavor: Cold in nature; bitter in taste
Brief Introduction:Haematitum is a dark-brown iron ore primarily composed of ferric oxide (Fe2O3). It is used: (1) to calm the liver and subdue hyperactive yang—indicated for headache, vertigo, and tinnitus due to ascending liver yang; (2) to reverse counterflow of qi—relieving belching, nausea, vomiting, and wheezing; and (3) as a blood-cooling hemostatic agent—for hematemesis and epistaxis. The herb is commonly known as Haematitum, hematite, or Zhě Shí.
Mineral Source: Classical herbal works define Haematitum (hematite) as a dark-brown iron ore predominantly composed of ferric oxide (Fe2O3). Its crystal structure belongs to the trigonal system; crystals typically occur as lamellae or rhombohedra, though well-formed crystals are rare. More commonly, it appears as dense cryptocrystalline masses, scales, oolites, bean-shaped (reniform) aggregates, or earthy powders.
Characteristics of the Herb: This mineral herb occurs as oolitic, bean-shaped (fabellar), or reniform aggregates—often irregular thick plates or flattened blocks with distinct edges and corners. The surface color ranges from henna-red (reddish-brown) to dark reddish-brown or iron-gray (steel-blue) to gray-black. Streaks are cherry-red or reddish-brown; some specimens exhibit a submetallic luster. One surface bears densely distributed rounded protrusions—commonly termed “nailhead”—of papillary origin; the opposite surface displays corresponding depressions (dimples) of matching size. The mineral is heavy, with a firm, hard texture. Fracture surfaces are laminated or granular. The herb is odorless and tasteless. Higher-grade herb material is reddish-brown, exhibits prominent “nailhead” features, and shows a laminated fracture.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Modulatory effects on the central nervous system; (2) stimulation of red blood cell and hemoglobin regeneration; (3) inhibitory effect on isolated frog heart; (4) astringent action on gastric and intestinal mucosa; (5) magnesium salts and magnesium ions in the herb exert a voluminous purgative effect, among others.
Medicinal efficacy: Calming the liver and subduing hyperactive yang; reversing counterflow of qi; cooling the blood to arrest bleeding. It is indicated for dizziness and tinnitus, headache, fright-induced epilepsy, palpitations, mania, cough, wheezing, asthma, nausea, vomiting, belching, hiccup, cardiac spasm, hematemesis, epistaxis, hematochezia, hematuria, hemorrhoidal bleeding, hemorrhoids with fistula, and uterine bleeding.
Administration of Haematitum (Zhě Shí):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Haematitum (Zhě Shí)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 9–30 grams per dose, decocted first; (2) Internally: water decoction, 0.3–1 liang (≈9–30 grams), or prepared as pills or powders; (3) Internally: water decoction, 0.3–1 liang (≈9–30 grams), or prepared as pills or powders.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Haematitum should be used with caution during pregnancy.
✵This article documents the herb hematite, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and botanical/mineral source—namely, a dark-brown iron ore. It provides a detailed introduction to the mineral’s characteristics, geological formation, ecological context, macroscopic and microscopic features of the crude herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Zhě Shí, or Dài Zhě Shí
Characteristics of the Herb: This mineral herb occurs as oolitic, bean-shaped (fabellar), or reniform aggregates—often irregular thick plates or flattened blocks with distinct edges and corners. The surface color ranges from henna-red (reddish-brown) to dark reddish-brown or iron-gray (steel-blue) to gray-black. Streaks are cherry-red or reddish-brown; some specimens exhibit a submetallic luster. One surface bears densely distributed rounded protrusions—commonly termed “nailhead”—of papillary origin; the opposite surface displays corresponding depressions (dimples) of matching size. The mineral is heavy, with a firm, hard texture. Fracture surfaces are laminated or granular. The herb is odorless and tasteless. Higher-grade herb material is reddish-brown, exhibits prominent “nailhead” features, and shows a laminated fracture.
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