✵The article records the herb Ophicalcite, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and its mineral source—(1) serpentine marble—with a detailed introduction of this mineral, the characteristics of the herb Ophicalcite, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Ophicalcitum (Ophicalcite)
Pinyin Name: Huā Ruǐ Shí
English Name: Ophicalcite
Latin Name:Ophicalcitum Properties and Flavor: neutral in nature; sour and astringent
Brief Introduction: The herb Ophicalcitum is a marble containing green serpentine, used as an astringent hemostatic agent for treating hemoptysis and hematemesis, and externally for incised wounds. It is commonly known as Ophicalcitum, Ophicalcite, or Huā Ruǐ Shí.
Mineral Source: Classical herbal works and other authoritative materia medica define Ophicalcitum (Ophicalcite) as marble containing green serpentine. This commonly used mineral is introduced as follows:
(1) Serpentine marble
Mineral Description: Serpentine marble consists primarily of marble and serpentine, with calcite as the dominant mineral constituent. Its crystal structure belongs to the monoclinic system. Individual crystals are lamellar or needle-like but rare; more commonly, it occurs as platy, scaly, or granular aggregates. Serpentine is dispersed within calcite grains as fibrous or speckled masses. The color is generally green, varying in intensity; white, light yellow, gray, bluish-green, brownish-black varieties also occur. It exhibits a silky luster—fibrous or scaly. Its Mohs hardness is 2.5–3.5; relative density is 2.5–3.6; and the surface feels smooth to the touch.
The mineral forms through the metamorphism of limestone. It is mainly produced in northern China, the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and other regions of China.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb (mineral) occurs as dense, granular, irregular blocks of varying sizes. The surface is coarse and rough, angular but not sharp. It is white or pale grayish-white, exhibiting a star-like (stellate) luster under light. Within the matrix appear dotted or striped patterns (ophiolite), yellowish-green in color and waxy in luster—commonly termed the “multicolored halo.” The herb is heavy and hard in texture; its fracture surface is coarse and rough when broken, and can be marked with a knife. It is odorless and tasteless.
Medicinal Efficacy: Promotes dissolution of stagnant blood and stops bleeding. Indicated for hemoptysis, hematemesis, epistaxis (nasal bleeding or bleeding from the five orifices or subcutaneous tissue), hematochezia (blood in stool), uterine bleeding, retained dead fetus, anemic syncope, traumatic bleeding, retained placenta, bleeding from incised (metal-inflicted) wounds, and pain due to falls or injuries.
Administration of Ophicalcitum (Huā Ruǐ Shí):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Ophicalcitum (Huā Ruǐ Shí)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 4.5–9 grams; administer as finely ground powder. Externally: apply an appropriate amount. (2) Internally: prepare to powder, 1–3 qian (≈3–9 grams). Externally: apply finely ground powder topically. (3) Internally: prepare to powder, 1–3 qian (≈3–9 grams). Externally: apply finely ground powder topically.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Ophicalcitum is contraindicated during pregnancy.
✵The article records the herb Ophicalcite, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and its mineral source—(1) serpentine marble—with a detailed introduction of this mineral, the characteristics of the herb Ophicalcite, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Huā Ruǐ Shí
Mineral Description: Serpentine marble consists primarily of marble and serpentine, with calcite as the dominant mineral constituent. Its crystal structure belongs to the monoclinic system. Individual crystals are lamellar or needle-like but rare; more commonly, it occurs as platy, scaly, or granular aggregates. Serpentine is dispersed within calcite grains as fibrous or speckled masses. The color is generally green, varying in intensity; white, light yellow, gray, bluish-green, brownish-black varieties also occur. It exhibits a silky luster—fibrous or scaly. Its Mohs hardness is 2.5–3.5; relative density is 2.5–3.6; and the surface feels smooth to the touch.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb (mineral) occurs as dense, granular, irregular blocks of varying sizes. The surface is coarse and rough, angular but not sharp. It is white or pale grayish-white, exhibiting a star-like (stellate) luster under light. Within the matrix appear dotted or striped patterns (ophiolite), yellowish-green in color and waxy in luster—commonly termed the “multicolored halo.” The herb is heavy and hard in texture; its fracture surface is coarse and rough when broken, and can be marked with a knife. It is odorless and tasteless.
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