Hai Piao Shao
Sepiella maindroni de Rochebrune; Sepia esculenta Hoyle
☯ TCM Properties
Astringes and Stops Bleeding; Secures Essence and Stops Leakage; Controls Acidity and Stops Pain; Absorbs Dampness and Heals Sores
Botanical Description
Hai Piao Xiao (also written Hai Piao Shao) is the dried internal shell — the cuttlebone — of the cuttlefish, principally Sepiella maindroni or Sepia esculenta (Cephalopoda, Sepiidae), harvested from coastal waters of the East and South China Seas. The cuttlebone is a porous chambered structure of aragonite (calcium carbonate) with a thin organic chitinous matrix; it serves as a buoyancy organ in the living animal and is collected from beached or fished specimens, then cleaned of soft tissue, sun-dried, and used whole or powdered. In traditional Chinese medicine the cuttlebone is salty, astringent, slightly warm, and acts on the Liver and Kidney channels: it restrains acidity and relieves epigastric pain (a classical TCM antacid), stops bleeding from uterine, gastric, and traumatic sources, secures the lower jiao for vaginal discharge, and is applied topically as a drying powder for damp sores and ulcers.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Hai Piao Shao (cuttlefish bone, sepia) is a warm, astringent substance used to restrain and bind — stopping excessive bleeding, excessive vaginal discharge, acid reflux, and spermatorrhea. Its antacid properties make it effective for stomach pain from hyperacidity. It also softens hardened masses and nodules when combined with other Phlegm-dissolving herbs. Applied externally, it assists wound healing, dries weeping sores, and controls bleeding from lacerations.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
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.