☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat from the Ying and Xue s tages, r elieves Fire toxicity, c ools the Blood, clears skin blotches and stops bleeding; Clears the Heart and calms the Shen; Clears Heat and extinguishes Liver Wind (arrests tremors)
Traditional Chinese Uses
Xi Jiao is rhinoceros horn (classically from Rhinoceros unicornis and related species). Bitter, salty and cold, entering the Heart, Liver and Stomach channels, it was one of the most important cooling-Blood medicinals: it clears Heat from the Ying and Xue levels, drains Fire toxicity, cools the Blood to stop reckless bleeding and resolve maculopapular eruptions, clears the Heart to calm the Shen in high fever with delirium, and extinguishes Liver Wind to arrest convulsions. It anchored classic warm-disease formulas such as Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang and Qing Ying Tang.
This is presented for historical reference only. All rhinoceros species are CITES-listed and legally protected; trade and use are banned internationally. Do not source or use rhinoceros horn. The standard modern substitute is water buffalo horn (Shui Niu Jiao, in larger doses), with buffalo horn concentrate used in place of Xi Jiao in reformulated preparations.
Botanical Description
Xi Jiao is the horn of the rhinoceros, classically derived from species such as Rhinoceros unicornis (Indian rhinoceros), R. sondaicus (Javan), Dicerorhinus sumatrensis (Sumatran), Ceratotherium simum (white), and Diceros bicornis (black). The horn is composed of compacted keratin fibres with no bony core, dark brown to black, with a laminated longitudinal striation. In classical TCM, Xi Jiao was used in formulas such as Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang to clear heat from the blood level, cool the heart, calm convulsions, and resolve toxins in severe febrile diseases. All rhinoceros species are listed on CITES Appendix I, and international trade has been prohibited since 1977. Modern TCM, supported by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, substitutes water buffalo horn (Shui Niu Jiao) at higher doses to replicate the cooling and blood-clearing functions; use of genuine rhinoceros horn is illegal in most jurisdictions.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
⚠ Safety & Contraindications
Safety Warnings
- Rhinoceros horn: illegal to trade or dispense. Substitute Shui Niu Jiao (water-buffalo horn, Bubalus bubalis).
Regulatory Status
- CITES Appendix I — international trade prohibited; rhinoceros horn banned in China (1993).
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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