Herb

Ci Shi (Duan)

Magnetite (Processed) | 煅磁石

Also known as:

Loadstone , Magnetitum mineral

Ci Shi (Duan)

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Properties

Substances that anchor and calm the Spirit (重镇安神药) · Cold

Traditionally supports*

Sleep and Anxiety Support Ear and Hearing Health Eye Health and Vision Respiratory Health

Parts Used

Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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About This Herb

Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties

Herb Description

Magnetite is a mineral substance used in Chinese medicine to calm the mind, ease dizziness and ringing in the ears, and help with shortness of breath caused by weakness. It works by settling overactivity in the body and supporting the Kidneys, Liver, and Heart. It is especially helpful for people experiencing anxiety, poor sleep, tinnitus, blurry vision, or asthma related to underlying deficiency.

Herb Category

Substances that anchor and calm the Spirit (重镇安神药)

Main Actions

  • Anchors and Calms the Spirit
  • Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang
  • Opens the Ear Orifices and Brightens the Eyes
  • Aids the Kidneys in Grasping Qi
  • Benefits the Kidneys

How These Actions Work

'Anchors and calms the spirit' means Ci Shi uses its heavy, mineral weight to settle an agitated mind. Because it is physically dense and salty-cold in nature, it pulls overactive Qi downward, calming restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, and even convulsions or epilepsy. This is the principle of using heavy substances to overcome fright and anxiety (重可去怯). It is especially suited when the spirit is disturbed because Yin is deficient and Yang floats upward.

'Subdues Liver Yang' means Ci Shi pulls excessive upward-rising Yang back down. When the Liver and Kidney Yin are depleted, Yang rises unchecked, causing dizziness, headaches, irritability, and a sensation of pressure in the head. Ci Shi's cold, sinking nature and its affinity for the Liver and Kidney channels make it effective at anchoring this floating Yang.

'Improves hearing and brightens the eyes' reflects the classical understanding that the Kidneys open to the ears and the Liver opens to the eyes. When Kidney essence is insufficient, hearing declines, producing tinnitus or deafness. When Liver Blood is deficient, vision becomes blurry. By nourishing the Kidneys and calming the Liver, Ci Shi addresses both sensory impairments at their root.

'Aids the Kidneys in grasping Qi' refers to the Kidney's role in receiving Qi sent down from the Lungs. When the Kidneys are too weak to anchor this Qi, it rebels upward, causing shortness of breath and asthma that worsens with exertion. Ci Shi's heavy, descending nature helps draw Qi back down into the Kidneys, relieving this type of deficiency-based wheezing.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Ci Shi is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.

The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.

Why Ci Shi addresses this pattern

In Liver Yang Rising, Yin in the lower body is depleted while Yang flares upward unchecked, causing headaches, dizziness, irritability, and tinnitus. Ci Shi is cold, salty, and heavy. Its salty flavour enters the Kidneys to protect the root Yin, while its heavy mineral weight physically drags the floating Yang back down. Its cold nature also cools the excess heat that accompanies the rising Yang. It enters both the Liver and Kidney channels, directly addressing the axis where this pattern originates.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Dizziness

Dizziness and vertigo from Yang rising to the head

Headaches

Headache, often at the vertex or temples

Tinnitus

Ringing in the ears

Irritability

Irritability and restlessness

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Salty (咸 xián)

Channels Entered
Heart Liver Kidneys
Parts Used

Mineral (矿物 kuàng wù)

This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page

Product Details

Manufacturing, supplier, and product specifications

Product Type

Granules

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Botanical & Sourcing

Quality Indicators

The best quality Ci Shi (known as "living magnetite" or 活磁石/灵磁石) is iron-black in colour with a semi-metallic lustre on fresh surfaces. It should be heavy, hard, and difficult to break. Most importantly, it must have strong magnetic properties — the ability to attract and hold iron needles or small iron objects is the single most important quality test. The stronger the magnetic attraction, the better the medicinal quality. Poor quality specimens (called "dead magnetite" or 死磁石/呆磁石) tend toward a reddish-brown colour, have more pore spaces and impurities, break more easily, and have weak or no magnetic attraction. The cross-section should appear dense and compact. There should be a faint earthy (soil-like) smell and a bland, tasteless quality. Avoid specimens with excessive yellow or brownish discolouration, which indicates contamination or oxidation.

Primary Growing Regions

Ci Shi is a mineral (magnetite ore) found in iron-bearing geological formations across China. Major producing regions include Jiangsu, Shandong, Liaoning, Hebei, Guangdong, Anhui, Fujian, Hubei, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces. Historically, the most prized magnetite came from Cizhou (磁州, in modern Hebei province), which contributed annual tribute-quality specimens and is said to have given the mineral its Chinese name. The Ben Cao Tu Jing notes that Cizhou magnetite was considered the finest, capable of attracting chains of ten or more needles.

Harvesting Season

Year-round (采无时). Magnetite is a mineral ore that can be mined at any time of year without seasonal restriction.

Supplier Information

Treasure of the East

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Miscellaneous Info

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Usage & Safety

How to use this herb and important safety information

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This herb is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

Recommended Dosage

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Instructions for safe storage and consumption

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Traditional Dosage Reference

Standard

9–30g

Maximum

Up to 50g in decoction under practitioner supervision for short-term use, with mandatory pre-decoction of at least 20-30 minutes. Some classical sources cite up to one liang (approximately 30-50g). Do not exceed 3g when taken as pills or powder.

Notes

Use lower doses (9–15g) for calming the spirit and settling anxiety. Use moderate to higher doses (15–30g) for subduing Liver Yang and treating dizziness or tinnitus. For anchoring Kidney Qi to treat wheezing, moderate doses (15–30g) are typical. When taken as pills or powder (not decocted), the dose must be much smaller (1.5–3g) because the undecocted mineral is extremely difficult to digest. Raw (生磁石) is preferred for calming the spirit and subduing Yang; vinegar-calcined (煅磁石) is preferred for benefiting hearing and vision, and for anchoring Qi to stop wheezing, as calcination makes the active iron compounds more bioavailable. Always combine with Shen Qu (medicated leaven) when using in pill or powder form to protect the Stomach and aid digestion of the mineral.

Processing Methods

Processing method

The raw magnetite is heated red-hot in a furnace, then immediately quenched in vinegar (醋淬 cù cuì). This is typically repeated once or twice. The ratio is approximately 30kg of vinegar per 100kg of magnetite. After quenching, the stone is dried and ground into coarse powder.

How it changes properties

Calcination with vinegar quenching makes the magnetite brittle and easier to crush into powder for use in pills and powders. The processed form is stronger at tonifying the Kidneys, grasping Qi, and improving hearing and vision. However, its heavy sedating and spirit-calming properties are somewhat reduced compared to the raw form.

When to use this form

Use the calcined form (Duan Ci Shi) when the primary goal is to improve hearing, brighten the eyes, or aid the Kidneys in grasping Qi for asthma. This is the standard form dispensed in most pharmacies when the prescription simply writes 'Ci Shi' without specifying raw. It is also preferred for pills and powders since raw magnetite is too hard to grind.

Toxicity Classification

Non-toxic

Ci Shi is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is considered one of the safest mineral medicines. The Ben Cao Jing Shu specifically notes that while "all mineral medicines are toxic and unsuitable for long-term use, magnetite alone possesses a balanced, harmonious nature." However, raw magnetite ore may contain trace amounts of arsenic and other heavy metals (manganese, chromium, strontium, titanium) depending on its geological origin. Calcination with vinegar (煅醋淬) significantly reduces arsenic content — by approximately 5 to 25 times compared to the raw mineral — and also reduces levels of other harmful trace elements. The main clinical safety concern is not chemical toxicity but rather the physical difficulty of digesting a dense mineral substance, which can burden the Spleen and Stomach and cause abdominal discomfort, especially in pill or powder form.

Contraindications

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency with weak digestion. Ci Shi is a heavy mineral substance that is difficult to digest and can burden the gastrointestinal tract, potentially causing nausea, abdominal discomfort, or poor appetite in those with pre-existing digestive weakness.

Caution

Pregnancy. As a heavy, descending mineral substance, Ci Shi should be used with caution during pregnancy due to its strong downward-directing properties.

Caution

Long-term continuous use without breaks. Classical sources warn that heavy mineral substances can injure Qi over time. The Ben Cao Cong Xin states it should only be used temporarily, not for prolonged periods.

Caution

Taking as pills or powder in excessive doses. When not decocted, the mineral particles are especially hard to digest and can accumulate in the digestive tract, causing abdominal pain.

Caution

Patterns of pure cold or Yang deficiency without floating Yang or excess Heat. Ci Shi is cold in nature and its heavy, descending properties are inappropriate when Yang is already deficient and not rising upward.

Classical Incompatibilities

Ci Shi does not appear on the Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反) or Nineteen Mutual Fears (十九畏) lists. However, the Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu records that Chai Hu (柴胡) serves as its envoy herb (使), it is "averse to" (恶) Mu Dan Pi (牡丹) and Mang Cao (莽草), and it "fears" (畏) Huang Shi Zhi (黄石脂).

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. Ci Shi is a heavy, strongly descending mineral substance. While it is not classified as a frank abortifacient or uterine stimulant, its powerful downward-directing and settling properties make it theoretically unsuitable for routine use in pregnancy, as excessive descending action could potentially disturb fetal Qi. Standard Materia Medica references note "pregnant women should use with caution" (孕妇慎用). If clinically necessary during pregnancy, it should only be used under close practitioner supervision at reduced dosage and for short duration.

Breastfeeding

No specific classical or modern contraindication for breastfeeding has been documented. However, as a mineral substance containing iron and potential trace heavy metals, caution is warranted. The heavy metal content (particularly trace arsenic in unprocessed forms) could theoretically transfer into breast milk. If use is clinically necessary during breastfeeding, only properly calcined (煅磁石) material should be used at standard doses for limited duration, under practitioner guidance.

Pediatric Use

Ci Shi has classical indications for childhood fright-epilepsy (小儿惊痫), suggesting historical paediatric use. However, because it is a heavy mineral that burdens digestion, paediatric doses should be significantly reduced from adult ranges and used only for short courses. Children's immature digestive systems are especially vulnerable to the Spleen-burdening effects of mineral medicines. The calcined form (煅磁石) is preferred for children as it is easier to digest. Must always be decocted first (先煎) when used in paediatric formulas. Not suitable for infants or very young children except under specialist supervision.

Drug Interactions

No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted specifically on Ci Shi decoctions. However, given that magnetite (Fe3O4) releases soluble iron compounds during decoction and especially after vinegar calcination, interactions typical of iron-containing substances should be considered:

  • Tetracycline antibiotics and fluoroquinolones: Iron can chelate with these antibiotics in the gut, significantly reducing their absorption and therapeutic effectiveness. Separate administration by at least 2 hours.
  • Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone): Iron reduces levothyroxine absorption. Separate by at least 4 hours.
  • Levodopa and methyldopa: Iron may reduce absorption of these medications.
  • Bisphosphonates (for osteoporosis): Iron can impair absorption. Separate administration timing.
  • Antacids and proton pump inhibitors: These may alter the solubility and absorption of iron from Ci Shi.
  • Iron supplements: Concurrent use could lead to excessive iron intake.

Patients taking any regular medications should consult their healthcare provider before using Ci Shi preparations.

Dietary Advice

Avoid drinking strong tea or coffee close to the time of taking Ci Shi, as tannins can bind to iron and reduce its effectiveness. When using Ci Shi for its settling and calming effects, avoid overly spicy, greasy, or heavy foods that tax the Spleen and Stomach, since the mineral already burdens digestion. Easily digestible, warm, cooked foods are preferable during a course of treatment. If digestive discomfort occurs, adding foods that strengthen the Spleen such as congee, cooked grains, and ginger may help.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this herb is typically safe for most individuals, it may cause side effects in some people. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, and those with liver disease should use the formula with caution.

As with any Chinese herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.