Niu Huang

Bos tauru domesticus or Bubalis bubalis, Gall stones of Water buffalo

Natural distribution: Common world-wide

Parts used: Bezoar

Nature: Bitter and sweet; cool

Affinity: Heart, liver

Effects: Antipyretic; diuretic; sedative; antispasmotic; antidote

Indications: Body heat, irritability, abd delirium due to internal heat excess; spasms; sore, swollen or infected throat; abscesses and sores of heat excess

Dosage: 0.2-0.4 grams

Remarks: The genuine iten is hard to find and very expensive; substitutes refined from the extract of cow's or pig's gall bladder fluid are common and also quite effective.