Ci Shi
StarFe₃O₄ (ferriferrous oxide, magnetite mineral of the spinel group)
☯ TCM Properties
Anchors and Calms the Spirit; Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang; Opens the Ear Orifices and Brightens the Eyes; Aids the Kidneys in Grasping Qi; Benefits the Kidneys
Traditional Chinese Uses
Ci Shi (magnetite) is a cold, salty mineral substance used to anchor and calm overactive Liver Yang while simultaneously tonifying Kidney Yin. It is most applicable to Kidney Yin deficiency with Liver Yang rising, presenting as dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, and palpitations. It also calms the Spirit and is used for seizures and fright-induced restlessness. Its weight and anchoring nature make it a representative "heavy settling" mineral in TCM practice.
Botanical Description
Ci Shi is the medicinal form of magnetite, the ferrimagnetic iron oxide mineral with composition Fe3O4 (more precisely FeIIFeIII2O4, an inverse spinel). It occurs as black to brownish-black, opaque, metallic to submetallic octahedral crystals or massive granular aggregates with a Mohs hardness of 5.5–6.5 and a characteristic strong attraction to a magnet — a property already noted in early Chinese pharmacopoeias, from which the name “lodestone” derives. Medicinal-grade material is broken up, calcined red-hot, quenched repeatedly in vinegar to render it more friable, and ground to a fine powder. In traditional Chinese medicine the prepared mineral is acrid, salty, and cold, sedating the heart and anchoring the floating Yang for palpitations, insomnia, restlessness, and tremor, grasping the Qi to relieve wheezing of kidney-deficiency type, and improving hearing and vision for tinnitus, deafness, and blurred sight.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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