Pharmaceutical Name:

Cornu Rhinoceri

Zoological Name:

Rhinoceros unicornis L.
Rhinoceros sondaicus Desmarest
Rhinoceros sumatrensis (Fischer)

Common Name:

Rhinoceros horn

Source of Earliest Record:

Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:

The horn of the African rhinoceros is sawn into small pieces.  Then, the pieces are steamed or boiled and cut into slices or ground into powder.

Properties and Taste:

Bitter, salty and cold

Meridian:

Heart, liver and stomach

Functions:

To clear heat and relieve convulsions
To cool blood and release toxins

Indications and Combinations:

1.     Hemorrhagic disease due to extravasation of blood by heat manifested as vomiting with blood, epistaxis and subcutaneous bleeding. 
*Use with Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), Moutan bark (Mudanpi) and Red peony (Chishao).

2.      Fever, unconsciousness, delirium and convulsions.
*Use with Isatis leaf (Daqingye), Gypsum (Shigao) and Antelope’s horn (Lingyangjiao).

Dosage:

1.5-6 g

Cautions:

Rhinoceros horn should not be mixed with Wild aconite root (Caowu) and Monkshood root (Chuanwu), and it must be used with caution during pregnancy.