☯ TCM Properties
Dislodges Phlegm, cools Heat, extinguishes Wind, calms fright, settles convulsions, calms asthma and resolves toxicity; Clears Heat, Resolves toxicity, calms wheezing, transforms Phlegm, resolves swelling and softens hardness
Traditional Chinese Uses
Hou Zao ("monkey bezoar") is a calcareous concretion formed in the gallbladder or gut of macaques such as Macaca mulatta (Calculus Macacae Mulattae). Bitter and salty with a cold nature, entering the Heart, Lung, Liver and Bladder channels, it was traditionally used to dislodge and cool Phlegm-Heat, extinguish Wind and settle fright and convulsions, and to clear Heat, resolve toxicity and soften hardness. Classic indications are high fever with Phlegm veiling the Heart orifices, childhood fright-wind and convulsions, cough and wheezing from Phlegm-Heat, and scrofula and phlegm nodules; it functions analogously to Niu Huang and is given in tiny powdered doses within pediatric and Phlegm-Heat formulas.
Because it can only be obtained by killing the animal, Hou Zao is a restricted, conservation-sensitive substance; macaques are legally protected under wildlife and CITES controls. This entry is historical: sourcing is discouraged and cow gallstone (Niu Huang) or synthetic bezoar substitutes are used instead.
Botanical Description
Hou Zao, "monkey bezoar," is a calcareous concretion that occasionally forms in the gallbladder, intestines, or bladder of macaques (Macaca mulatta and related Macaca species). The substance appears as an ovoid to irregularly shaped, hard, brown to grey-brown stone, 2-6 cm across, with a smooth or slightly granular surface, a layered cross-section, and a faintly bitter, slightly salty taste. It is rarely encountered and was historically valued as an exceptional substitute or analogue for Niu Huang (cattle bezoar) in classical TCM, used in small doses to clear heat, resolve toxins, transform phlegm, open the orifices, calm the spirit, and arrest convulsions in high-fever conditions, childhood epilepsy, and certain forms of stroke with internal heat. Modern supply is extremely limited and concerns over the source species' welfare and CITES Appendix II listing of macaques have largely confined Hou Zao to historical and rare ethnopharmacological references.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | 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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