Ingredient Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

Hua Rui Shi

Ophicalcite · 花蕊石

Serpentine marble (蛇纹大理岩) · Ophicalcitum

Also known as: Hua Ru Shi, 花乳石, 白云石,

Ophicalcite is a mineral substance used in Chinese medicine primarily to stop bleeding while simultaneously dispersing blood stasis. It is especially valued for internal bleeding conditions such as coughing or vomiting blood, as well as for external traumatic wounds. Unlike many hemostatic agents, it stops bleeding without trapping old, stagnant blood in the body.

Category Hemostatic herbs (止血药) Herbs that transform stasis and stop bleeding (化瘀止血药)
Therapeutic focus Bleeding Disorders Skin and Wound Care Injury and Trauma Recovery

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sour (酸 suān), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels entered

Liver

Parts used

Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

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 Hua Rui Shi does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Hua Rui Shi is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Bleeding Disorders Skin and Wound Care Injury and Trauma Recovery

TCM Actions

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

Dispels Stasis and Stops Bleeding Stops Bleeding Invigorates Blood and Reduces Swelling

How these actions work

'Resolves blood stasis and stops bleeding' is the core action of Hua Rui Shi and captures its unique dual nature. Its sour and astringent tastes give it a contracting, gathering quality that helps stanch bleeding. At the same time, it has the ability to transform and disperse old, stagnant blood rather than simply plugging the leak. This is critical because in TCM, stopping bleeding without addressing underlying stasis can trap pathological blood in the body, leading to pain, masses, or further complications. Hua Rui Shi is therefore chosen when bleeding occurs alongside signs of blood stasis, such as dark clotted blood, stabbing chest or abdominal pain, or a dark purple tongue. It is commonly used for coughing blood, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, and uterine bleeding.

'Stops bleeding externally' refers to its topical application. Ground into a fine powder, Hua Rui Shi can be applied directly to traumatic wounds, cuts, and lacerations to quickly stop bleeding. This was one of its earliest recorded uses, noted in the Jia You Ben Cao. It can be used alone or combined with sulfur powder for enhanced effect.

'Disperses stasis and reduces swelling' means that beyond simply stopping blood flow, the herb actively breaks down accumulated blood clots and reduces the swelling and pain that accompany traumatic injuries. This makes it useful for falls, blows, and sprains where bruising and swelling are present.

Patterns Addressed

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

Why Hua Rui Shi addresses this pattern

Hua Rui Shi directly addresses Blood Stasis through its sour, astringent nature that enters the Liver channel, which governs the storage and smooth flow of Blood. In Blood Stasis patterns, old blood accumulates and obstructs normal circulation, often manifesting as bleeding with dark, clotted blood. Hua Rui Shi's unique action of simultaneously resolving stasis while stopping bleeding makes it especially suitable here. Its ability to 'transform blood into water,' as described in the Ben Cao Gang Mu, means it can break down pathological clotted blood without damaging fresh, healthy blood. This contrasts with purely astringent hemostatics that might trap stasis inside the body.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Cough Of Blood

Coughing dark, clotted blood

Vomiting Blood

Vomiting blood with dark clots

Dark Blood In Stool

Blood in stool

Chest Pain

Stabbing chest pain from stagnant blood

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Blood Stasis

TCM Interpretation

Coughing blood (hemoptysis) is understood in TCM as a disruption of the Lung's function of governing Qi and managing the descent and dispersal of fluids and blood. When blood stasis develops in the chest, it obstructs the Lung's delicate vessels, and the stagnant blood has nowhere to go but upward with the cough. The Liver channel, which Hua Rui Shi enters, is closely related because Liver Qi stagnation or Liver Fire can drive blood recklessly upward. The presence of dark, clotted blood rather than bright fresh blood typically signals that stasis is involved.

Why Hua Rui Shi Helps

Hua Rui Shi is especially well-suited for coughing blood because its dual action addresses both the bleeding and its underlying cause simultaneously. Its astringent quality helps stop the active bleeding from damaged vessels, while its stasis-resolving property breaks down the accumulated old blood that is perpetuating the cycle of vessel damage and hemorrhage. As Zhang Xichun noted in the Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu, Hua Rui Shi 'transforms stagnant blood without injuring fresh blood,' meaning it clears pathological clots while leaving healthy circulation intact. Its neutral temperature is also advantageous because many hemoptysis patients already have Heat signs, and a warming hemostatic could worsen their condition.

Also commonly used for

Vomiting Blood

Hematemesis with dark clotted blood indicating stasis

Nosebleeds

Recurrent or profuse epistaxis

Bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding, particularly postpartum hemorrhage

Dark Blood In Stool

Rectal bleeding or melena

Bruises

Swelling and pain from falls and blows

Ingredient Properties

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

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sour (酸 suān), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels Entered

Liver

Parts Used

Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

4.5-9g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in acute haemorrhage with Blood stasis, under practitioner supervision. For powder (ground and swallowed), the typical dose is 1-3g per serving.

Dosage notes

Hua Rui Shi is most commonly used in ground powder form (研末服) rather than in standard decoction, because the mineral is very hard and its active constituents do not dissolve well in water. The standard textbook range of 4.5-9g refers to the amount used when included in a decoction (broken into small pieces). When taken as a powder swallowed directly with liquid, the dose is much smaller: typically 1-3g per serving. For external use (wound powder), an appropriate amount is applied directly to the bleeding site. The calcined form (煅花蕊石) is preferred for internal use because calcination makes the stone porous and easy to grind, and also moderates its astringent properties to reduce digestive irritation.

Preparation

Should be crushed into small pieces (打碎) before adding to a decoction, and ideally decocted first (先煎) for 20-30 minutes before adding other herbs, as minerals require prolonged boiling. More commonly, Hua Rui Shi is calcined (煅) until red-hot, then cooled and ground into fine powder for internal use (swallowed with liquid) or external application. An alternative preparation involves quenching the red-hot stone in vinegar (醋淬), using approximately 25g of vinegar per 100g of stone.

Processing Methods

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

Processing method

The raw stone is washed, dried, and then calcined using the open-fire method (明煅法): placed in a crucible or fireproof container and heated until it glows red-hot throughout, then removed and allowed to cool.

How it changes properties

Calcining softens the extremely hard mineral, making it much easier to grind into a fine powder suitable for internal use. It also moderates the sour and astringent taste, reducing potential irritation to the Spleen and Stomach. The thermal nature remains neutral. The hemostatic and stasis-resolving actions are preserved and potentially enhanced by the finer particle size achievable after calcining.

When to use this form

This is actually the most commonly used clinical form, since the raw stone is too hard to grind adequately for internal use. Virtually all internal applications (decoctions, powders, pills) use the calcined form. The raw form is essentially only used when a crude powder can be scraped off the stone surface for emergency topical application to wounds.

Common Ingredient Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Hua Rui Shi for enhanced therapeutic effect

San Qi
San Qi Hua Rui Shi 9g : San Qi 6g (3:2 ratio, as in Hua Xue Dan)

Hua Rui Shi and San Qi are both premier hemostatic herbs that simultaneously resolve blood stasis. Hua Rui Shi's astringent quality gathers and contracts blood, while San Qi's powerful stasis-dispersing and hemostatic actions reinforce the effect. Together, they stop bleeding with exceptional strength while ensuring no residual stasis remains, preventing the common clinical problem of 'stopping bleeding but trapping stasis.'

When to use: Any internal bleeding with signs of blood stasis, including coughing blood, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, blood in stool or urine. This pairing is the foundation of the classical formula Hua Xue Dan.

Xu
Xue Yu Tan Hua Rui Shi 9g : Xue Yu Tan 3g (3:1 ratio, as in Hua Xue Dan)

Hua Rui Shi resolves stasis and stops bleeding, while Xue Yu Tan (carbonized human hair) adds a supplementary blood-nourishing action along with its own hemostatic effect. Together they form a complete hemostatic strategy: stopping bleeding, resolving old stasis, and supporting the generation of new blood.

When to use: Internal bleeding conditions such as hemoptysis, hematemesis, or rectal bleeding, especially when the patient shows signs of both blood stasis and blood deficiency from prolonged blood loss.

Ru Xiang
Ru Xiang 1:1 (equal parts)

Hua Rui Shi resolves blood stasis and stops bleeding, while Ru Xiang (frankincense) invigorates blood circulation and moves Qi to relieve pain. Together they enhance the dispersal of stasis, reduce swelling, and provide stronger pain relief than either herb alone.

When to use: Traumatic injuries with bruising, swelling, and pain, particularly blunt force trauma and sprains where blood stasis and Qi stagnation are both present.

Bai Ji
Bai Ji Hua Rui Shi 10g : Bai Ji 10g (1:1)

Hua Rui Shi stops bleeding while resolving stasis, and Bai Ji (Bletilla rhizome) is strongly astringent and promotes tissue healing, especially in the Lungs and Stomach. Together they provide a powerful hemostatic combination for internal bleeding, with Bai Ji's strong astringing action complementing Hua Rui Shi's stasis-resolving ability.

When to use: Hemoptysis from pulmonary conditions such as tuberculosis or bronchiectasis, where both active bleeding and stasis are present.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Hua Rui Shi in a prominent role

Hua Rui Shi San 花蕊石散 King

There are two classical formulas with this name. The version from the Shi Yao Shen Shu (十药神书) uses Hua Rui Shi alone (calcined and powdered, taken with vinegar) for severe hemoptysis with blood stasis. The version from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (太平惠民和剂局方) combines calcined Hua Rui Shi with sulfur for traumatic wounds. Both showcase Hua Rui Shi's original and best-known applications: internal bleeding with stasis and external wound hemorrhage.

Comparable Ingredients

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

San Qi
Hua Rui Shi vs San Qi

Both San Qi and Hua Rui Shi are hemostatic herbs that resolve stasis while stopping bleeding, making them unique among hemostatics. San Qi is considerably stronger and more versatile: it has a warm temperature, enters more channels (Liver, Stomach), and has a much broader range of actions including pain relief and swelling reduction. San Qi can also be used on its own as both an internal and topical hemostatic. Hua Rui Shi is neutral in temperature and more limited in scope, but its strong astringent quality makes it particularly effective when combined with San Qi. Hua Rui Shi is a mineral and is often used ground into powder.

Pu Huang
Hua Rui Shi vs Pu Huang

Both are classified as stasis-resolving hemostatics. Pu Huang (cattail pollen) is sweet, acrid, and neutral, entering the Liver and Pericardium channels. It has a broader action profile: it stops bleeding, invigorates blood, and promotes urination. Raw Pu Huang is better at invigorating blood and dissolving stasis, while charred Pu Huang is more hemostatic. Hua Rui Shi is primarily a hemostatic with secondary stasis-resolving ability, lacks Pu Huang's diuretic action, but has stronger topical wound-healing applications as a mineral powder.

Qian Cao
Hua Rui Shi vs Qian Cao

Both herbs resolve stasis while stopping bleeding. Qian Cao Gen (madder root) is bitter and cold, entering the Liver channel, and has a cooling action that makes it more suitable for blood-heat patterns with stasis. Hua Rui Shi is neutral and astringent, so it works regardless of heat or cold and is more purely mechanical in its hemostatic action. Qian Cao Gen also has additional actions of cooling blood and unblocking the channels, while Hua Rui Shi has a stronger topical wound application.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Hua Rui Shi

Hua Rui Shi (serpentine marble/ophicalcite) can be confused with ordinary white marble (大理石) or dolomite (白云石), both of which lack the characteristic greenish-yellow serpentine veins. Authentic Hua Rui Shi must show the distinctive coloured 'halos' (彩晕) of serpentine within the calcite matrix. Simple chemical testing can help: adding dilute hydrochloric acid to authentic Hua Rui Shi will produce vigorous effervescence (due to calcium carbonate), and microscopic examination of the acid solution with added sulphuric acid reveals needle-cluster crystals of calcium sulphate. Calcite (方解石) alone may also be mistakenly used; it lacks the serpentine component and its Blood stasis-resolving action.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Hua Rui Shi

Non-toxic

Hua Rui Shi is classified as non-toxic (无毒) in classical and modern sources. Its main component is calcium carbonate with minor amounts of magnesium silicate. However, it also contains trace amounts of heavy metals including lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and cobalt. The calcined form (Duan Hua Rui Shi) is preferred for internal use because calcination makes the stone easier to pulverize and gentler on the digestive tract. Excessive or prolonged internal use is discouraged, as classical sources warn it can deplete Blood and muscle tissue if taken beyond what is needed to resolve stasis.

Contraindications

Situations where Hua Rui Shi should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Pregnancy. Hua Rui Shi has strong Blood-moving and stasis-resolving properties, and classical sources explicitly state that pregnant women should avoid this herb. It can expel dead fetuses and retained placenta, indicating significant uterine-stimulating potential.

Avoid

Bleeding without Blood stasis. As stated in the Ben Cao Jing Shu (本草经疏), this herb should not be taken internally when there is no Blood stasis present. Bleeding caused purely by Heat forcing Blood out of the vessels (rather than from internal Blood stagnation) is not appropriate for this herb.

Caution

Excessive or prolonged internal use. The Ben Cao Qiu Zhen (本草求真) warns that Hua Rui Shi is a 'forceful' (劫) substance, and overuse can damage the muscles and Blood. After bleeding stops, tonifying herbs such as Ren Shen should follow.

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency with weak digestion. The raw (uncalcined) form is very hard, strongly astringent, and can injure the Spleen and Stomach. The calcined form (Duan Hua Rui Shi) is preferred for internal use as it is gentler.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated during pregnancy. Classical sources unanimously prohibit its use in pregnant women (孕妇忌服). Hua Rui Shi has strong Blood stasis-resolving and Blood-moving properties. The Ben Cao Gang Mu explicitly states it can expel dead fetuses (下死胎) and discharge retained placentas (落胞衣), indicating potent uterine-stimulating action that poses a clear risk of miscarriage or premature labour.

Breastfeeding

No specific classical or modern prohibitions for breastfeeding have been documented. However, given its strong Blood-moving properties and trace heavy metal content (including lead and cadmium), caution is advisable during breastfeeding. Use only when clearly indicated, at the lowest effective dose, and under practitioner supervision.

Children

No specific classical guidance exists for pediatric use. Given that it is a mineral substance with trace heavy metals and strong Blood-moving properties, it should be used in children only when clearly indicated, at proportionally reduced doses under practitioner supervision. The calcined form is preferred for internal use in children to reduce digestive irritation.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Hua Rui Shi

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been established for Hua Rui Shi in modern pharmacological literature. However, based on its known pharmacological profile, the following theoretical considerations apply:

  • Calcium supplements and antacids: Because Hua Rui Shi is primarily calcium carbonate, concurrent use with calcium-containing medications or antacids could theoretically increase total calcium intake, potentially affecting patients with hypercalcaemia or renal insufficiency.
  • Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications: The herb's hemostatic action (increasing blood calcium concentration and promoting coagulation) may theoretically oppose the effects of anticoagulants such as warfarin or heparin, or antiplatelet agents. Concurrent use requires careful monitoring.
  • Medications affected by gastric pH: As a calcium carbonate-based mineral, it may raise stomach pH and potentially affect the absorption of drugs requiring an acidic gastric environment (e.g. certain antifungals, iron supplements).

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Hua Rui Shi

When using Hua Rui Shi to stop bleeding, it is advisable to avoid foods that may promote bleeding or Blood Heat, such as alcohol, very spicy foods, and overly greasy or fried foods. Cold and raw foods should be consumed in moderation, as they may impair Spleen function and hinder recovery from blood loss. After the bleeding resolves, nourishing foods that support Blood production (such as red dates, dark leafy greens, and bone broth) are recommended, as the herb addresses stasis but does not tonify.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Hua Rui Shi source mineral

Hua Rui Shi (花蕊石) is not a plant but a mineral substance. It is ophicalcite, a metamorphic rock classified as serpentine marble (蛇纹大理岩). It forms when limestone undergoes geological metamorphism, producing a composite of calcite (calcium carbonate) interspersed with serpentine (hydrated magnesium silicate).

The rock occurs as irregular blocks with angular edges that are not sharp. The base colour is white to pale greyish-white, shot through with distinctive point-like or streak-like veins of serpentine in pale green or yellowish-green, traditionally called "coloured halos" (彩晕, cǎi yùn). When held up to light, these veins display a sparkling, star-like lustre. The stone is heavy, very hard, and difficult to break. It has almost no smell and a bland taste.

Sourcing & Harvesting

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

Harvesting season

Can be mined year-round. After excavation, impurity stones and soil are removed, and pieces displaying the characteristic yellowish-green coloured veins (彩晕) are selected.

Primary growing regions

Hua Rui Shi is a mineral found across multiple provinces in China. The traditional 道地 (dào dì) producing regions include Shanxi (山西), Shaanxi (陕西), Henan (河南), and Hebei (河北). It is also found in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, and Sichuan. The area around Lingbao (灵宝) in Henan province (historically called Wenxiang county, 阌乡县, of Shanzhou) is a classically noted source, referenced in the Ben Cao Tu Jing.

Quality indicators

Good quality Hua Rui Shi should be in intact, regularly shaped blocks that are heavy and very hard (difficult to break). The cross-section or broken surface should display clear yellowish-green or pale yellow veins of serpentine (the characteristic 彩晕 or 'coloured halos') set against a white or greyish-white calcite matrix. When held to the light, these coloured veins should show a sparkling, star-like lustre. The stone should have almost no smell and a bland taste. Avoid pieces that are uniformly white without coloured veins, or that crumble easily.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Hua Rui Shi and its therapeutic uses

Jia You Ben Cao (嘉祐本草) — Song Dynasty, by Zhang Yuxi et al.

Original: 主金疮止血，又疗产妇血晕，恶血。

Translation: It treats metal-inflicted wounds and stops bleeding, and also treats postpartum Blood fainting and malign Blood.

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

Original: 花蕊石，其功专于止血，能使血化为水，酸以收之也。而又能下死胎，落胞衣，去恶血，恶血化则胎与胞无阻滞之患矣。

Translation: Hua Rui Shi's action is dedicated to stopping bleeding. It can transform Blood into fluid, using its sour nature to astringe. It can also expel a dead fetus, discharge the placenta, and eliminate malign Blood. Once the stagnant Blood is transformed, the fetus and placenta are no longer obstructed.

Yu Qiu Yao Jie (玉楸药解) — Qing Dynasty, by Huang Yuanyu

Original: 功专止血。治吐衄崩漏胎产，刀杖一切诸血。

Translation: Its action specializes in stopping bleeding. It treats vomiting of blood, nosebleed, uterine flooding and spotting, bleeding during pregnancy and delivery, and all bleeding from knife and club wounds.

Yi Lin Zuan Yao (医林纂要) — Qing Dynasty

Original: 泻肝行瘀血，敛肺生皮肉。

Translation: It drains the Liver and moves stagnant Blood, and astringes the Lung to regenerate skin and flesh.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Hua Rui Shi's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Hua Rui Shi was first recorded in the Jia You Ben Cao (嘉祐本草, 1060 AD) during the Northern Song Dynasty, under its original name Hua Ru Shi (花乳石, "flower-milk stone"). The name likely reflects the stone's appearance: white marble veined with colourful streaks resembling flower petals or stamens (花蕊 means "flower pistil/stamen"). Su Song's Ben Cao Tu Jing described it as coming from Wenxiang county of Shanzhou (modern Lingbao, Henan), noting it was "extremely solid and heavy, coloured like sulphur" and that people used it to carve vessels.

The herb became famous through two landmark formulas both called Hua Rui Shi San (花蕊石散). The version in the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (太平惠民和剂局方) combined it with sulphur for external trauma. The version attributed to Ge Keju (葛可久) in the Shi Yao Shen Shu (十药神书, c. 1348) used it calcined and taken with children's urine to treat massive haemoptysis. Li Shizhen praised it in the Ben Cao Gang Mu, marvelling that its power to "transform Blood into water" exceeded ordinary herbs. Zhang Xichun, the famous late Qing-early Republican physician, also incorporated it alongside San Qi and Xue Yu Tan in his formula Hua Xue Dan (化血丹) for coughing blood.

A colourful folk legend from the Southern Song Dynasty tells of a court physician diagnosing a princess with a "stone pregnancy" caused by absorbing too much flower essence. After treating her and recovering the stone, it was discovered to have remarkable hemostatic powers, giving rise to the name "flower stamen stone."

Modern Research

2 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Hua Rui Shi

1

Ophicalcitum-Inspired Microspheres as a Topical Hemostatic Agent (Preclinical, 2025)

ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2025, Volume 8, Issue 7, Pages 6426-6438

Inspired by the traditional hemostatic mineral Hua Rui Shi (ophicalcitum), researchers synthesized calcium carbonate microspheres of various particle sizes. The microspheres demonstrated excellent hemostatic properties in preclinical models without hemolytic, cytotoxic, or metabolic toxic effects. Loading the microspheres with luteolin additionally promoted skin wound healing, suggesting potential as a multifunctional hemostatic material.

Link
2

Ophicalcitum Revealed: Composition, Safety, and Rapid Quality Control by Multi-Spectroscopy (Analytical, 2026)

Wei J, Sun Y, Huang J, Zhang L, Liu C, Hu S, Li J. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2026, Volume 350, Article 127397

This study used multiple spectroscopic methods to characterize the chemical composition and safety profile of Hua Rui Shi, establishing rapid quality control protocols for the mineral drug. The work confirmed the primary calcium carbonate composition and provided new analytical tools for authentication.

Link

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.