Herb

Zhe Shi (Duan)

Hematite | 赭石 (锻）

Also known as:

Hematite (Processed) , Dai Zhe Shi , Duan Zhe Shi

Zhe Shi (Duan)

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Properties

Liver-calming and Wind-extinguishing herbs (平肝息风药) · Cold

Traditionally supports*

Digestive Health Blood Pressure Support Nausea and Vomiting Relief Bleeding Disorders

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

Dài Zhě Shí (hematite) is a heavy, iron-rich mineral used in Chinese medicine to calm the Liver, settle dizziness and headaches, and powerfully redirect the body's Qi downward. It is best known for treating persistent hiccups, nausea, vomiting, and belching, as well as dizziness from high blood pressure. It also cools the Blood to help stop certain types of bleeding.

Herb Category

Liver-calming and Wind-extinguishing herbs (平肝息风药) Substances that anchor and calm the Spirit (重镇安神药)

Main Actions

  • Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang
  • Heavily anchors and directs rebellious Qi downward
  • Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding

How These Actions Work

'Calms the Liver and subdues Yang' means Dài Zhě Shí weighs down and suppresses excessively rising Liver Yang. When Liver Yang flares upward (often due to underlying Yin deficiency), it causes symptoms like dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, irritability, and a sensation of pressure in the head. As a heavy mineral with a cold nature, Dài Zhě Shí acts like an anchor that pulls this upward-surging force back down and clears Liver Fire. This is why it appears in formulas for high blood pressure and stroke prevention alongside other heavy-sinking substances like dragon bone and oyster shell.

'Heavily anchors and directs rebellious Qi downward' refers to its core strength: forcing Qi that is moving in the wrong direction (upward) back down to where it should go. The Stomach's Qi should naturally descend. When it rebels upward, there is belching, hiccups, nausea, or vomiting. When Lung Qi fails to descend, there is wheezing or coughing. Dài Zhě Shí is physically heavy and cold, giving it a powerful sinking and descending quality. It is one of the strongest substances in TCM for treating stubborn, upward-moving Qi, especially of the Stomach and Lungs. Zhang Xichun, a renowned physician, praised it for its ability to 'suppress rebellious Stomach and Chong vessel Qi, open the chest, sink phlegm, stop vomiting, and relieve constipation.'

'Cools the Blood and stops bleeding' applies when Heat in the Blood forces blood out of the vessels, causing nosebleeds, vomiting of blood, or heavy uterine bleeding. The cold, bitter nature of Dài Zhě Shí clears this Heat from the Blood level. For this purpose, the vinegar-calcined (醋煅) form is typically preferred, as the calcination process enhances its astringent, blood-stopping properties.

Patterns Addressed

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

Liver Yang Rising occurs when Liver Yin becomes insufficient to anchor Liver Yang, allowing it to flare upward and cause symptoms in the head. Dài Zhě Shí directly addresses this with its heavy, sinking, cold mineral nature. It enters the Liver channel and forcefully anchors the rising Yang back downward. Its bitter-cold quality also clears any Liver Fire that accompanies the Yang rising. This is why it is paired with Yin-nourishing and Yang-anchoring substances like dragon bone (Lóng Gǔ), oyster shell (Mǔ Lì), and tortoise plastron (Guī Bǎn) in the classical formula Zhèn Gān Xī Fēng Tāng.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Dizziness

Often severe, with a sensation of spinning or head pressure

Headaches

Distending headache, especially at the top of the head

Tinnitus
Irritability

Short temper, easily angered

Hypertension

High blood pressure with flushed face

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered
Liver Heart Stomach Pericardium
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 Dai Zhe Shi (known as 'ding tou dai zhe' or nail-head ochre) should display the following characteristics: brownish-red to dark brownish-red surface colour; dense, rounded protrusions ("nail heads") clearly visible on one surface, with corresponding concave pits on the opposite surface; a semi-metallic lustre; when broken, the cross-section should show a distinct layered (laminated) structure; the streak colour (when rubbed against unglazed porcelain) should be cherry-red or brownish-red; the piece should feel notably heavy and be very hard. It should be odourless and tasteless. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia requires iron (Fe) content of no less than 45%. Avoid specimens that are lighter in weight, greyish-brown, with indistinct nail-heads and yellowish-brown streak — these may be 'lao zhe shi' (old ochre stone), an adulterant made of biological limestone with very low iron content.

Primary Growing Regions

Dai Zhe Shi is a mineral (hematite ore), not a cultivated plant, so it is mined rather than grown. The primary production regions are Hebei (河北) and Shanxi (山西) provinces, which are considered the traditional daodi (道地) source areas for the highest quality specimens. Hematite deposits also occur in Shandong, Henan, Hunan, Guangdong, and Sichuan. The name 'Dai' (代) in the herb's name refers to Dai Prefecture (代郡) in ancient northern China (corresponding to areas in modern Hebei and Shanxi), reflecting its original source region.

Harvesting Season

Mined year-round; there is no specific harvesting season as this is a mineral ore, not a plant product.

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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Traditional Dosage Reference

Standard

10–30g

Maximum

Up to 30g in standard decoction; Zhang Xichun (张锡纯) historically used doses up to one liang (approximately 30–45g) in critical cases, always under careful supervision

Notes

Use lower doses (10–15g) when Stomach Qi is already weak, as excessive amounts of this heavy, cold mineral can injure digestive function — this is why the original Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang uses a relatively small dose. Higher doses (15–30g) may be used when the primary goal is to subdue Liver Yang or powerfully descend rebellious Qi in robust patients. For descending Qi and calming Liver, the raw (unprocessed) form is preferred. For stopping bleeding (hematemesis, epistaxis, uterine bleeding), the calcined-and-vinegar-quenched (煅醋淬) form is used instead. Zhang Xichun strongly advocated raw use only, arguing that calcining destroys the herb's blood-nourishing capacity.

Processing Methods

Processing method

The raw mineral is crushed into small pieces or ground into coarse powder. No heat or chemical processing is applied.

How it changes properties

This is the unprocessed form. It retains its full bitter, cold nature and maximum descending, sinking force. The raw form has the strongest Qi-directing and Liver-subduing action.

When to use this form

Used when the primary goal is to descend rebellious Qi (vomiting, hiccups, belching, wheezing) or to subdue Liver Yang (dizziness, headaches, hypertension). Must be pre-decocted (先煎) for 20-30 minutes due to its mineral hardness.

Toxicity Classification

Non-toxic

While classified as non-toxic in the classical literature (the Ming Yi Bie Lu states 'wu du' / no toxicity), Dai Zhe Shi naturally contains trace amounts of arsenic (砷) as a mineral impurity. The arsenic content in raw, dry-ground specimens is the highest among all processing forms. Proper processing through calcining and vinegar quenching (煅醋淬) followed by water-levigation (水飞) is the most effective method for reducing arsenic levels. Animal studies have shown toxicity at very high doses (mice given 2g daily all died by day 7, with symptoms of muscle weakness, incoordination, and paralysis). For this reason, it should not be used continuously over prolonged periods. Standard clinical doses of properly processed Dai Zhe Shi in decoction are considered safe for short-to-medium-term therapeutic use.

Contraindications

Caution

Pregnancy: Dai Zhe Shi is heavy, sinking, and cold in nature, which can promote downward movement and potentially disturb the fetus. Classical sources (Ben Cao Meng Quan) explicitly state that pregnant women should avoid it.

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold (脾胃虚寒) with poor appetite and loose stools: the bitter, cold nature of Dai Zhe Shi can further injure weak digestive function.

Caution

Yang deficiency patterns: the Ben Cao Jing Shu warns against use in those with deficiency cold in the lower body or Yang deficiency with impotence, as the cold sinking nature will further deplete Yang.

Caution

Qi deficiency and fluid dryness (气不足、津液燥): the De Pei Ben Cao prohibits use when Qi is insufficient or body fluids are depleted, as the herb's descending nature relies on adequate Qi to function properly.

Caution

Long-term use: Dai Zhe Shi naturally contains trace amounts of arsenic (砷). It should not be taken continuously over prolonged periods.

Classical Incompatibilities

Dai Zhe 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 (本草经集注) states that it 'fears Tian Xiong' (畏天雄, a processed form of aconite), and the Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (日华子本草) states it 'fears Fu Zi' (畏附子, prepared aconite). The Yao Xing Lun (药性论) records that Gan Jiang (干姜, dried ginger) serves as its 'envoy' herb (使药).

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. Dai Zhe Shi is heavy and strongly sinking in nature with a cold thermal property, which gives it a powerful downward-directing action. This descending quality could theoretically disturb fetal stability and promote downward movement in the uterus. Multiple classical texts (Ben Cao Meng Quan, and others) explicitly caution against its use in pregnant women. If absolutely needed for severe conditions during pregnancy, it should only be used under close professional supervision at minimal effective doses.

Breastfeeding

Dai Zhe Shi is a mineral substance that may contain trace amounts of heavy metals, including arsenic. While small amounts transfer into breast milk is not well studied, the arsenic content is a theoretical concern for nursing infants. Short-term use at standard therapeutic doses under professional guidance is generally considered acceptable, but prolonged use during breastfeeding should be avoided as a precaution.

Pediatric Use

Dai Zhe Shi can be used in children for appropriate conditions such as childhood convulsions (acute or chronic fright wind), but doses should be significantly reduced. A general guideline is approximately one-quarter to one-third of the adult dose for children under 6, and one-half to two-thirds for children aged 6–12. The classical Ben Cao Tu Jing mentions its use in paediatric formulas (such as the ancient Zi Wan for childhood fright). Due to trace arsenic content, duration of use in children should be kept short. It should always be properly processed and finely ground before use in paediatric prescriptions.

Drug Interactions

As a mineral composed primarily of iron oxide (Fe2O3), Dai Zhe Shi has the potential for iron-based drug interactions:

  • Tetracycline antibiotics (tetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, methacycline): Iron ions form insoluble chelate complexes with tetracyclines, potentially reducing antibiotic absorption by 50–90%. An interval of at least 3 hours between doses is recommended if concurrent use is unavoidable.
  • Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin): Similar chelation with iron can reduce bioavailability by over 50%. These antibiotics should be taken at least 2 hours apart from Dai Zhe Shi.
  • Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement): Iron can bind levothyroxine in the gut and reduce its absorption. Separate administration by at least 4 hours.
  • Levodopa/carbidopa (Parkinson's medications): Iron chelation may reduce the bioavailability of levodopa.
  • Penicillamine: Iron reduces penicillamine absorption through complex formation.

These interactions are well-established for iron salts in general. While the bioavailability of iron from a mineral decoction differs from that of pharmaceutical iron supplements, caution is warranted when patients are concurrently taking any of these medications.

Dietary Advice

Avoid consuming cold, raw, and difficult-to-digest foods while taking Dai Zhe Shi, as the herb's cold nature can burden the Spleen and Stomach. Warming, easy-to-digest foods such as cooked grains, soups, and congee are recommended to support digestion. Avoid strong tea and coffee close to the time of taking the decoction, as tannins may interact with the iron content. If taking concurrent medications (especially antibiotics), allow at least 2–3 hours between the herbal decoction and pharmaceutical drugs.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this formula 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.