Ingredient Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

Hai Fu Shi

Pumice · 海浮石

Costazia aculeata Canu et Bassler (bryozoan skeleton) or Pumex (volcanic pumice) · Costaziae Os / Pumex

Also known as: Fú Hǎi Shí (浮海石), Hǎi Shí (海石), Shuǐ Huā (水花),

Hai Fu Shi (Pumice) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Hai Fu Shi is a mineral substance used in Chinese medicine to clear heat from the lungs and dissolve stubborn, thick phlegm. It can be derived from the skeleton of marine bryozoans or from volcanic pumice stone. It is commonly used for chronic coughs with thick, sticky phlegm, thyroid nodules, and urinary stones.

Category Herbs that cool and transform Phlegm-Heat (清化热痰药) Phlegm-transforming herbs (化痰药)
Therapeutic focus Respiratory Health Thyroid Health Urinary Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Salty (咸 xián)

Channels entered

Lungs, Kidneys

Parts used

Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

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Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Ingredient Does

Every ingredient has a specific set of actions — here's what Hai Fu Shi does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Hai Fu Shi is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Respiratory Health Thyroid Health Urinary Health

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Hai Fu Shi performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Lung Heat and Transforms Phlegm Dissipates Nodules and Softens Hardness Promotes Urination and Relieves Stranguria

How these actions work

'Clears Lung heat and transforms phlegm' means Hai Fu Shi helps cool the Lungs when heat has caused phlegm to become thick, sticky, and difficult to cough up. Its salty taste has a natural softening effect that breaks down hardened, old phlegm. This is the herb's primary action and the reason it is classified among the heat-clearing, phlegm-transforming herbs. It is especially suited for chronic, stubborn phlegm that has condensed over time, and for cases where Lung heat causes blood-streaked sputum.

'Softens hardness and dissipates nodules' refers to this herb's ability to address hard lumps and masses formed by the accumulation of phlegm. In TCM, conditions like thyroid nodules (yǐng liú), swollen lymph nodes (luǒ lì), and other firm, palpable swellings are often attributed to phlegm congealing with heat or stagnation. The salty, cold nature of Hai Fu Shi softens these hardened accumulations and helps disperse them.

'Promotes urination and unblocks stranguria' means Hai Fu Shi can help with painful, difficult urination, especially when there are urinary stones (stone stranguria) or blood in the urine (blood stranguria). Classical texts explain that by clearing heat from the Lungs (the 'upper source of water'), it helps restore the normal downward flow of fluids to the Bladder.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Hai Fu Shi is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Hai Fu Shi addresses this pattern

When heat accumulates in the Lungs and scorches fluids into thick, congealed phlegm, the result is a pattern of coughing with heavy, sticky, yellow sputum that is difficult to expectorate. Hai Fu Shi directly addresses this pathomechanism through its cold nature, which clears Lung heat, and its salty taste, which softens and dissolves hardened, old phlegm. It is particularly valued when phlegm has been accumulating for a long time and has become dense and clumped, or when Lung heat damages the blood vessels of the Lung, causing blood-streaked sputum.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Chronic cough with thick, sticky, yellow phlegm that is hard to expectorate

Bloody Sputum

Phlegm streaked with blood due to heat damaging Lung vessels

Wheezing

Wheezing and chest tightness from phlegm obstruction

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Hai Fu Shi is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, chronic cough with thick, sticky phlegm is most commonly understood as phlegm-heat obstructing the Lungs. Heat in the Lung system scorches body fluids and concentrates them into dense, viscous phlegm that is difficult to expectorate. When this phlegm lingers, it further obstructs the Lung's descending function, worsening the cough. In severe or prolonged cases, the heat can damage the delicate blood vessels within the Lungs, leading to blood-streaked sputum. The Lung is considered a 'delicate organ' that is easily injured by heat, making it especially vulnerable to this pattern.

Why Hai Fu Shi Helps

Hai Fu Shi is cold in nature, which directly counters the heat component of this pattern. Its salty taste gives it a natural ability to soften and dissolve hardened, congealed phlegm that has accumulated over time. This combination of cooling and phlegm-dissolving properties makes it particularly well-suited for chronic coughs where the phlegm has become thick and clumped. Unlike many phlegm-transforming herbs that are warm and drying, Hai Fu Shi clears heat simultaneously, making it safe for use when heat is a primary factor and drying herbs would be contraindicated.

Also commonly used for

Bloody Sputum

Hemoptysis from Lung heat damaging blood vessels

Wheezing

Wheezing and asthma from phlegm-heat obstruction

Swollen Limbs

Scrofula and lymph node tuberculosis

Urinary Stones

Stone stranguria with painful urination

Blood in Urine

Blood stranguria with painful, bloody urination

Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis with phlegm-heat

Ingredient Properties

Every ingredient has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Salty (咸 xián)

Channels Entered

Lungs Kidneys

Parts Used

Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Hai Fu Shi — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

9-15g

Maximum dosage

Up to 30g in large-dose clinical applications for conditions such as stubborn hemoptysis, under practitioner supervision.

Dosage notes

Standard decoction dose is 9-15g, crushed and decocted first (先煎). For transforming phlegm-Heat and treating cough, 10-15g is typical. For softening hardness and dispersing nodules (goitre, scrofula), it is often combined with other salty, softening herbs at standard doses. When taken as powder (ground and swallowed directly rather than decocted), doses are smaller, typically 3-6g per serving, two to three times daily. The calcined form (煅海浮石, Duan Hai Fu Shi) is preferred for softening hardness and is easier to grind into fine powder.

Preparation

Must be crushed (打碎) and decocted first (先煎) for 15-20 minutes before adding other herbs, as it is a hard mineral/skelite substance that requires prolonged decoction to release its active components. When used in powder form, it should be ground very finely (研细末) or processed by water-levigation (水飞) for smooth texture, especially for external eye applications. The calcined form (煅海浮石) is prepared by heating in a clay pot over fire until red-hot, then cooling and crushing. Calcining makes it more friable and enhances its softening and dispersing properties.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same ingredient can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Hai Fu Shi does

Processing method

The cleaned Hai Fu Shi is placed in a clay pot and calcined over fire until thoroughly heated through, then removed, cooled, and crushed into powder.

How it changes properties

Calcination makes the herb more friable and easier to grind into fine powder for topical use or for making pills and powders. It may slightly moderate the cold nature. The calcined form is considered better for external application and for treating chronic sores.

When to use this form

Used primarily for external application (blown into the ear for purulent ear infections, applied to chronic non-healing sores) and when a finer powder is needed for pills. Also preferred when the vinegar-quenched form is used for treating persistent skin sores, as described in classical formulas.

Common Ingredient Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Hai Fu Shi for enhanced therapeutic effect

Hai Jin Sha
Hai Jin Sha 1:1 (Hai Fu Shi 10g : Hai Jin Sha 10g)

Hai Fu Shi clears Lung heat and softens hardness to dissolve stones, while Hai Jin Sha clears damp-heat from the Small Intestine and Bladder to open the water pathways. Together, they create a powerful combination for dissolving urinary stones and clearing urinary tract inflammation, with effects greater than either herb alone.

When to use: Stone stranguria (urinary stones) and blood stranguria with painful, difficult urination and possible blood in the urine.

Wa Leng Zi
Wa Leng Zi 1:1 (Hai Fu Shi 10g : Wa Leng Zi 10g)

Hai Fu Shi clears heat from the upper source of water and softens nodules, while Wa Leng Zi (Ark Shell) also softens hardness and resolves Blood stasis. Together, they provide a stronger combined effect for softening hard masses and dissolving stones, with Wa Leng Zi adding Blood-moving properties that Hai Fu Shi lacks.

When to use: Various stranguria conditions, especially stone stranguria and blood stranguria, as well as hard abdominal masses.

Xuan Fu Hua
Xuan Fu Hua 1:1 (Hai Fu Shi 10g : Xuan Fu Hua 10g)

Hai Fu Shi focuses on dissolving and transforming hardened phlegm (the 'hua' or dissolving aspect), while Xuan Fu Hua (Inula Flower) descends Qi and expels phlegm through its dispersing action (the 'xuan' or opening aspect). One dissolves while the other disperses, creating a complementary pair that clears phlegm from the Lungs more effectively.

When to use: Phlegm-heat cough with thick, sticky phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, especially chronic cases with chest stuffiness.

Qing Dai
Qing Dai 1:1 (Hai Fu Shi 9g : Qing Dai 6g)

Hai Fu Shi clears Lung heat and dissolves phlegm, while Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis) clears Liver fire and cools Blood. Together, they address the classic pattern of Liver fire attacking the Lungs, clearing both the root (Liver fire) and the branch (Lung heat with phlegm and blood), as used in the famous Ke Xue Fang formula.

When to use: Liver fire attacking the Lungs causing cough with blood-streaked sputum, chest and rib pain, irritability, and bitter taste in the mouth.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Hai Fu Shi in a prominent role

Ke Xue Fang 咳血方 Deputy

This is the most famous formula containing Hai Fu Shi, from Zhu Danxi's Dan Xi Xin Fa. The formula treats Liver fire attacking the Lungs, causing cough with blood-streaked phlegm. Hai Fu Shi serves as Deputy alongside Gua Lou Ren, clearing Lung heat and dissolving the thick phlegm that blocks normal Lung function. It showcases both the herb's phlegm-transforming and heat-clearing properties in one of TCM's most widely studied stop-bleeding formulas.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Ha
Hai Fu Shi vs Hai Ge Ke

Both Hai Fu Shi and Hai Ge Ke (Clam Shell) are salty, cold substances that clear Lung heat and transform phlegm. However, Hai Ge Ke has a stronger ability to control acid reflux and treat stomach pain, and it also absorbs dampness when used topically. Hai Fu Shi has a more pronounced action in softening hardness (useful for nodules and stones) and is better suited for chronic, stubborn phlegm that has congealed into dense clumps. When urinary stones or thyroid nodules are the primary concern, Hai Fu Shi is preferred.

Zh
Hai Fu Shi vs Zhe Bei Mu

Both clear heat and transform phlegm, but Zhe Bei Mu (Zhejiang Fritillaria) is bitter and cold, making it better at directly clearing fire toxins and dispersing nodules of an acute, inflammatory nature (such as Lung abscess or acute mastitis). Hai Fu Shi excels at dissolving chronic, hardened phlegm and is better for urinary conditions. Zhe Bei Mu is a plant-based herb suited for a wider range of phlegm-heat patterns, while Hai Fu Shi is a mineral substance specifically chosen when phlegm is old, thick, and congealed.

Kun Bu
Hai Fu Shi vs Kun Bu

Both are salty, cold substances used to soften hardness and dissipate nodules, especially thyroid enlargement. However, Kun Bu (Kelp) is primarily a nodule-dispersing herb with less phlegm-transforming action in the Lungs, while Hai Fu Shi's primary strength is clearing Lung heat and dissolving phlegm, with nodule dissipation as a secondary action. For thyroid conditions, they are often combined. For cough with thick phlegm, Hai Fu Shi is the better choice.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Hai Fu Shi

There are two officially recognised forms of Hai Fu Shi that are sometimes confused with each other: pumice (Fu Shi, volcanic rock, mainly SiO2) and stone flower (Shi Hua, bryozoan skeletons, mainly CaCO3). While both are used under the same drug name, their chemical compositions differ significantly. A regional substitute known as "small sea stone" (小海石) found around Shandong (Yantai) is actually coastal limestone (海滨石灰华) formed from calcium carbonate deposits around shell fragments. It is denser, heavier, and lacks the characteristic fine porous structure of true pumice. It also does not float in water. Authentic pumice should always float; any specimen that sinks should be regarded with suspicion.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any ingredient.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Hai Fu Shi

Non-toxic

Hai Fu Shi is classified as non-toxic in both classical and modern sources. The Ben Cao Shi Yi records it as "平，无毒" (neutral, non-toxic). However, classical cautions exist about prolonged overuse. The Ben Cao Cong Xin warns that excessive consumption can damage Blood and Qi. As a mineral/biological substance, it contains no known toxic organic compounds. The pumice form is primarily silicon dioxide, and the stone flower form is mainly calcium carbonate, both inert substances. The main safety concern is its strongly cold nature rather than any inherent toxicity.

Contraindications

Situations where Hai Fu Shi should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Cough from deficiency-Cold patterns (cold in the Lungs with thin, white, watery sputum). Hai Fu Shi is cold in nature and will worsen cold-type cough by further chilling the Lungs.

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency-Cold with poor digestion, loose stools, or low appetite. The cold, salty nature of this herb can further impair weak digestive function.

Caution

Prolonged or excessive use. Classical sources warn that overuse can damage Blood and Qi. The Ben Cao Cong Xin (本草从新) states that excessive consumption harms the blood and Qi.

Caution

Cough or wheezing from Qi deficiency rising upward (deficiency Qi counterflow). The Ben Cao Shu Gou Yi warns against use when cough is from deficient Qi ascending rather than true phlegm-Heat.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. Hai Fu Shi is cold in nature and has descending, draining properties. While not explicitly listed as a prohibited pregnancy herb in most classical texts, its cold nature could theoretically be detrimental in pregnancy, particularly for women with underlying Spleen-Stomach deficiency-Cold. Some modern Chinese references list pregnancy as a caution. Avoid unless specifically prescribed by a qualified practitioner.

Breastfeeding

No specific classical or modern data addresses Hai Fu Shi use during breastfeeding. As a mineral substance (silicon dioxide or calcium carbonate), significant transfer through breast milk is unlikely. However, its cold nature means it should be used cautiously in postpartum women, who often have underlying deficiency. Use only under practitioner guidance.

Children

Modern Chinese references list children as requiring caution. Dosage should be reduced proportionally based on the child's age and weight. It appears in the classical formula Hai Fu Shi Hua Shi San from the Yi Xue Cong Zhong Lu, which was specifically designed for childhood asthma. However, prolonged use in children should be avoided due to the cold nature of the herb potentially impairing the still-developing digestive system.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Hai Fu Shi

No well-documented pharmacological drug interactions have been reported for Hai Fu Shi. As a primarily mineral substance (silicon dioxide or calcium carbonate depending on the form), it has limited systemic bioavailability when taken orally. However, theoretical considerations include:

  • The calcium carbonate in the stone flower (Shi Hua) form could potentially act as an antacid, affecting the absorption of drugs that require an acidic stomach environment (e.g. ketoconazole, iron supplements, certain antibiotics like tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones). If using the Shi Hua form, it may be prudent to separate administration from such medications by at least two hours.
  • Due to its diuretic properties noted in pharmacological studies, concurrent use with pharmaceutical diuretics should be monitored.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Hai Fu Shi

When taking Hai Fu Shi for phlegm-Heat cough, avoid greasy, fried, and overly rich foods that generate more phlegm and Dampness. Cold, raw foods should also be moderated if there are any signs of Spleen weakness, as the cold nature of the herb already taxes digestion. Warm, easily digestible foods are preferred. Avoid excessively spicy or hot foods that may counteract the cooling therapeutic effect.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Hai Fu Shi source mineral

Hai Fu Shi (海浮石) is not a plant-derived herb but a mineral and biological substance used in two main forms. The first type, called Fu Shi (浮石, pumice), is a volcanic rock formed when lava rich in gases rapidly cools upon contact with seawater. This produces a sponge-like, highly porous stone riddled with small holes. It is light enough to float on water, hence the name "sea floating stone." It is typically an irregular block, 2 to 20 cm in diameter, with a greyish-white or greyish-yellow colour and a texture that is hard yet brittle and crumbly.

The second type, called Shi Hua (石花, "stone flower"), consists of the calcareous skeletons of colonial marine bryozoans, primarily Costazia aculeata (脊突苔虫) and Costazia costazii (瘤苔虫). These tiny creatures live in fixed colonies on sea rocks, algae, and shells, secreting a calcium carbonate framework that resembles coral. The dried skeleton is irregularly shaped with branching, antler-like projections and a porous, brittle texture. It also floats in water and has a slight briny smell.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Hai Fu Shi is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Pumice (Fu Shi) can be collected year-round from coastlines, with summer being the peak season. Stone flower (Shi Hua, bryozoan skeletons) is typically harvested from the sea between June and October.

Primary growing regions

Hai Fu Shi is collected from coastal regions of China. Pumice (Fu Shi) is mainly sourced from the coasts of Guangdong, Fujian, Shandong, and Liaoning provinces, where volcanic stones wash ashore. The bryozoan skeleton form (Shi Hua / stone flower) is principally produced in Zhejiang and Fujian (for Costazia aculeata) and Liaoning and Shandong (for Costazia costazii). Fujian and Zhejiang coastal areas are traditionally regarded as producing the highest quality Shi Hua specimens.

Quality indicators

For pumice (Fu Shi): good quality pieces are light in weight, greyish-white in colour, and float readily on water. The surface should have numerous fine, evenly distributed pores. The texture is hard yet brittle, and the cross-section may show a glassy or silky lustre. Avoid pieces that are heavy, dark-coloured, or sink in water. For stone flower (Shi Hua): good quality specimens are greyish-white or pale yellow, with clearly visible coral-like branching structures and dense fine pores. They should be light, brittle, and have a faint briny smell. The branching tips should be mostly intact rather than broken off.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Hai Fu Shi and its therapeutic uses

《本草拾遗》(Ben Cao Shi Yi, Tang Dynasty, by Chen Cangqi)

Original: 水花……江海中间，久沫成乳石，故如石水沫，犹软者是也。主渴，远行山无水处，和苦栝楼为丸，朝预服二十丸，永无渴。

Translation: "Water froth... in rivers and seas, foam accumulates over time to form milky stone, resembling solidified water foam. It treats thirst. When travelling far in mountains without water, combine it with bitter Trichosanthes into pills, take twenty in the morning, and one will never feel thirsty."

《本草纲目》(Ben Cao Gang Mu, Ming Dynasty, by Li Shizhen)

Original: 浮石乃江海间细沙水沫凝聚，日久结成者。状如水沫及钟乳石，有细孔如蛀窠，白色，体虚而轻。海中者味咸，入药更良。气味咸寒，润下之用也。故入肺除上焦痰热，止咳嗽而软坚，清其上源，故又治诸淋。

Translation: "Pumice forms from fine sand and water foam in rivers and seas that coagulate over time. It looks like water froth or stalactite, with fine holes like worm burrows, white, hollow and light. That from the sea is salty and better for medicine. Being salty and cold, it moistens and directs downward. Therefore it enters the Lungs, clears upper-body phlegm-Heat, stops cough, softens hardness, and clears the upper source of water, hence also treating various types of painful urination."

《药品化义》(Yao Pin Hua Yi, by Jia Suoxue)

Original: 海石，味咸能降火，又能软坚，故力降热痰、软结痰、消顽痰；因其体浮，专主上焦心肺之分。咽喉之间消化凝结，化痰丸中必用之药也。

Translation: "Sea stone, being salty, can lower Fire and soften hardness. It therefore powerfully brings down hot phlegm, softens knotted phlegm, and dissolves stubborn phlegm. Because it is light and floats, it specifically targets the upper burner and the Heart-Lung region. It dissolves congealed masses in the throat area and is an essential herb in phlegm-transforming pills."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Hai Fu Shi's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Hai Fu Shi was first recorded in the Tang Dynasty in Chen Cangqi's Ben Cao Shi Yi (《本草拾遗》, circa 739 CE), where it was called "water froth" (水花) and recommended primarily for quenching thirst during long journeys. This early application reflected its light, porous nature and association with water. During the Song Dynasty, the Ben Cao Yan Yi (《本草衍义》) described the "stone flower" (石花) variant in detail, noting its coral-like branches and the clear ringing sound it makes when tapped. Leatherworkers of the Song period prized pumice for its ability to polish and smooth animal hides.

The herb's therapeutic scope expanded significantly with Zhu Danxi (朱丹溪) in the Yuan Dynasty, who emphasized its salty flavour and cold nature, describing it as able to "clear Metal [the Lung], lower Fire, dissolve accumulations, and transform old phlegm." Li Shizhen in the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Ming Dynasty) provided a thorough account of both the mineral and biological forms and articulated the key principle behind its ability to treat urinary disorders: by clearing the Lungs (the "upper source of water"), it facilitates fluid movement downward. The name Hai Fu Shi (海浮石, "sea floating stone") reflects its most striking physical property: despite being stone, it floats on water due to its porous, gas-filled structure.