Herb

Long Gu (Sheng)

Dragon bones (Raw) | 生龙骨

Also known as:

Wu Hua Long Gu (五花龙骨)

Long Gu (Sheng)

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Properties

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

Traditionally supports*

Sleep and Anxiety Support Emotional Wellbeing Blood Pressure Support Excessive Sweating

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

Dragon bone is a fossilized mineral substance used in Chinese medicine to calm the mind and settle anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. It is also used to help manage dizziness and irritability caused by Liver imbalances, and its astringent nature helps reduce excessive sweating, chronic diarrhea, and other conditions involving fluid loss.

Herb Category

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

Main Actions

  • Calms the Spirit and Settles Fright
  • Calms the Liver and anchors floating Yang
  • Secures Essence and Stops Leakage
  • Astringes to Stop Sweating
  • Promotes Tissue Regeneration and Heals Sores

How These Actions Work

'Settles fright and calms the Spirit' means that Long Gu has a heavy, weighty quality that anchors an unsettled mind. In TCM, the Heart houses the Spirit (Shen), and when the Spirit is disturbed, a person may experience anxiety, restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, or even manic episodes. Long Gu's mineral heaviness is thought to 'weigh down' the Spirit so it can rest peacefully in the Heart. This is why it is one of the most commonly used substances for insomnia, anxiety, and nervous agitation.

'Calms the Liver and anchors floating Yang' refers to Long Gu's ability to suppress rising Liver Yang. When Liver Yin is deficient, Yang rises upward unchecked, producing dizziness, headaches, ringing in the ears, irritability, a flushed face, and a sensation of heat in the head. Long Gu sinks this rising Yang back downward. It is almost always paired with Mu Li (oyster shell) for this purpose, and the pair forms the core of many formulas for high blood pressure and stroke prevention.

'Astringes and prevents leakage of fluids' describes Long Gu's ability to tighten and contain substances that the body is losing. Because of its astringent taste, it can help with a wide range of 'leakage' conditions: spontaneous sweating or night sweats, seminal emissions, frequent urination or incontinence, chronic diarrhea, vaginal discharge, and uterine bleeding. The calcined (heat-processed) form is stronger for this purpose.

'Generates flesh and closes sores' applies only to external (topical) use. When ground into powder and applied to non-healing ulcers, weeping eczema, or chronic wounds, calcined Long Gu helps dry the area and promote tissue repair.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Long Gu 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 Long Gu addresses this pattern

When the Heart Spirit (Shen) is unsettled due to emotional shock, overwork, blood deficiency, or heat harassing the Heart, the result is anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, and restlessness. Long Gu enters the Heart channel and its heavy, mineral nature physically anchors the Spirit, calming it back into the Heart. Its sweet taste gently supports without being overstimulating, making it suitable for both excess and deficiency presentations of Spirit disturbance. Zhang Xichun noted in the Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu that Long Gu's sticky, astringent quality allows it to 'collect the original Qi and calm the Spirit.'

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Palpitations

Heart palpitations with anxiety

Anxiety

Restlessness and fearfulness

Dream-Disturbed Sleep

Excessive dreaming or nightmares

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Astringent (涩 sè)

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

Good quality Bai Long Gu (White Dragon Bone) should be hard, dense, white to greyish-white in colour, with a fine powdery cross-section. When broken, the surface should be smooth and chalk-like. It should have strong hygroscopic (moisture-absorbing) properties and will readily stick to the tongue when licked (a classic authentication test known as 舐之着舌). Good quality Wu Hua Long Gu (Five-Coloured Dragon Bone) should be lighter in weight, easily breakable in layers, showing distinct marbled patterns of ivory-white interspersed with blue-grey and reddish-brown bands, resembling marble. It too should be strongly hygroscopic and tongue-adhering. Both forms should be odourless and tasteless. Avoid specimens that are excessively heavy and stone-like (may indicate dinosaur fossils with high fluoride), lack tongue-adhering property, or show signs of being processed modern animal bone (typically lacking the characteristic porous microstructure and marbled colouration).

Primary Growing Regions

Long Gu is excavated rather than cultivated. Historically, the finest specimens were said to come from Shanxi (山西), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), and Shaanxi (陕西) provinces, which remain the primary source regions. Additional deposits are found in Henan (河南), Hebei (河北), Qinghai (青海), Sichuan (四川), and Yunnan (云南). The classical text Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun noted specimens from Tanzhou, Cangzhou, and Taiyuan as highest quality. Authentic Wu Hua Long Gu (Five-Coloured Dragon Bone) from the Shanxi-Shaanxi region is considered the most prized dao di material.

Harvesting Season

Year-round collection (excavation). Fossil deposits are mined whenever accessible. No seasonal restriction applies, as this is a fossilized mineral substance, not a living organism.

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

15-30g

Maximum

Up to 30-45g in severe cases of Qi collapse, profuse sweating, or heavy uterine bleeding, under practitioner supervision. Must be decocted first (先煎) for at least 20-30 minutes.

Notes

Use lower doses (15-20g) for calming the spirit and anchoring Liver Yang. Use higher doses (20-30g) for heavy astringent action in cases of severe sweating, uterine bleeding, or chronic diarrhea. Use raw (Sheng Long Gu) for calming the spirit and subduing Liver Yang. Use calcined (Duan Long Gu) for stronger astringent action in treating fluid leakage, non-healing sores, and generating flesh. Zhang Xichun advised using Long Gu raw in almost all situations, reserving the calcined form only for emergencies such as life-threatening uterine hemorrhage. For pills and powders, a much smaller dose of 1-3g per serving is standard.

Processing Methods

Processing method

The raw Long Gu pieces are placed in a smokeless fire or suitable container and calcined at high heat (武火) until they glow red throughout. They are then removed, cooled, and crushed or ground into powder.

How it changes properties

Calcination shifts the temperature from neutral to more neutral/mild and significantly strengthens the astringent action. The taste becomes more astringent with less emphasis on the sweet quality. The calcined form loses much of its Spirit-calming and Yang-anchoring potency but gains a much stronger ability to astringe fluids, stop bleeding, and promote wound healing when applied topically.

When to use this form

Use calcined Long Gu when the primary goal is astringent and stopping leakage: heavy sweating, severe uterine bleeding (崩漏), chronic diarrhea that has not responded to other treatment, seminal emissions, or topically for chronic non-healing ulcers and weeping eczema. Zhang Xichun noted he used the raw form for almost all purposes, reserving the calcined form only for emergencies like severe uterine hemorrhage or threatened miscarriage where maximum astringent power was needed immediately.

Toxicity Classification

Non-toxic

Long Gu is classified as non-toxic. The Ming Yi Bie Lu records it as non-toxic (无毒), though the Yao Xing Lun noted "slightly toxic" (有小毒). Its main components are calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate (carbonated hydroxyapatite), and trace minerals including iron, potassium, zinc, strontium, manganese, and copper. No toxic organic compounds are present. The primary safety concern is not inherent toxicity but adulteration: modern market analysis has found dangerous substitutes including fluoride-rich dinosaur fossils and processed modern animal bones that do not match the trace element profile of authentic material. Proper sourcing from reputable suppliers is essential. A secondary concern noted in classical texts is that insufficiently processed (not water-levigated) Long Gu may irritate the intestines and stomach over time, potentially causing internal Heat. This is why some classical processing methods recommend water-flying (水飞) the powder.

Contraindications

Caution

Damp-Heat conditions: Long Gu's astringent nature can trap Damp-Heat internally, potentially worsening symptoms such as burning urination (dysuria), sticky stools, or yellow discharge. It should not be used in patterns where Damp-Heat has not been cleared.

Caution

Active exterior (externally contracted) conditions: Because Long Gu is strongly astringent and inward-drawing, using it while a pathogen is still on the exterior can trap the pathogen inside the body, preventing proper resolution of the illness.

Caution

Excess Heat with Fire blazing upward: In cases where spermatorrhea or night sweats are caused by vigorous Fire rather than true deficiency, Long Gu's astringent nature may worsen the condition. As the Ben Cao Feng Yuan warns, misuse in these cases can lead to painful, scanty, reddish urination and worsened loss of essence.

Classical Incompatibilities

Long Gu does not appear on the classical Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反) or Nineteen Mutual Fears (十九畏) lists. Some traditional sources caution against combining Long Gu with Shi Gao (石膏, Gypsum) and Gan Qi (干漆, dry lacquer), but these are not part of the standard incompatibility lists and lack strong classical consensus.

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe at standard doses during pregnancy. Long Gu is not listed among pregnancy-prohibited or pregnancy-caution herbs in standard Chinese Materia Medica texts. In fact, classical sources such as the Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao specifically mention its use for threatened miscarriage (漏胎) and stopping uterine bleeding during pregnancy. However, its strongly astringent nature means it should be used with care and only under practitioner guidance, as inappropriate use (for example, in the presence of Damp-Heat or unresolved pathogenic factors) could trap harmful conditions internally. Always consult a qualified practitioner before use during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

No specific contraindications for use during breastfeeding are documented in classical or modern sources. Long Gu is a mineral substance composed primarily of calcium salts and trace minerals, and its components are not known to transfer through breast milk in harmful concentrations. It may be used at standard doses under practitioner supervision. However, as with all medicinal substances during breastfeeding, use should be guided by an appropriately qualified practitioner.

Pediatric Use

Long Gu has been used in pediatric practice since antiquity and is specifically mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing for treating childhood fright epilepsy (小儿热气惊痫). It is considered safe for children at appropriately reduced dosages (typically one-third to one-half of adult dose depending on the child's age and weight). It is commonly used in pediatric formulas for night crying, restlessness, fright, and bedwetting. For infants and toddlers, external application of powdered Long Gu is used for umbilical conditions and non-healing sores. Internal use should always be under practitioner supervision.

Drug Interactions

Cardiac glycosides (Digoxin): Long Gu's high calcium content may enhance the effects and toxicity of cardiac glycosides. Concurrent use requires monitoring of drug blood levels.

Quinidine and related antiarrhythmics: Long Gu is alkaline in nature and may reduce renal excretion of quinidine, potentially raising blood levels to toxic range. Close monitoring is recommended if co-administered.

Tetracycline antibiotics and Isoniazid: The calcium ions in Long Gu can form chelation complexes with these drugs, reducing their absorption and therapeutic efficacy. Separate administration by at least 2 hours.

Phosphate-containing and sulfate-containing drugs (e.g. chloroquine phosphate, codeine phosphate, ferrous sulfate): Long Gu's calcium can form insoluble precipitates with these medications, reducing their bioavailability.

Corticosteroids (Prednisolone): Co-administration may form poorly soluble compounds, significantly reducing the bioavailability of the steroid.

Vitamin C: Some sources note that Long Gu may accelerate oxidation of Vitamin C, reducing its effectiveness.

Dietary Advice

When taking Long Gu for calming the spirit and settling anxiety, avoid stimulating foods and drinks such as strong coffee, alcohol, and heavily spiced dishes, which may counteract its sedating effects. When using Long Gu for its astringent properties (treating sweating, diarrhea, or discharge), support its action by favouring warm, easily digestible, cooked foods and avoiding cold, raw, or greasy foods that may burden the Spleen and Stomach. Avoid consuming highly acidic foods (such as vinegar or citrus) at the same time as taking Long Gu, as acids may react with its calcium carbonate content.

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.