Cuttlefish Bone (Wuzeigu)

Cuttlefish Bone (Wuzeigu)

Pharmaceutical Name: Os Sepiae seu Sepiellae
Botanical Name: Sepiella maindroni de Rochebrune
Sepia esculenta Hoyle.
Common Name:Cuttlefish bone
Cuttlebone
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing
art Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The cuttlefish is caught from April to August. The bone is removed from the fish and dried for twenty-four hours.
Properties and Taste: Salty, astringent and slightly warm
Meridian: Liver and kidney
Functions: To astringe and stop bleeding
To control the essence and relieve leukorrhea
To restrain hyperacidity and stop pain
To promote healing of ulcers
Indications and Combinations: 1.     Hemorrhage.
*Use with Rubia root (Qiancao), Carbonized petiole of windmill palm (Zonglutan) and Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao). *Cuttlefish bone (Wuzeigu) can be used alone for bleeding due to external injuries.

2. Deficiency of the kidneys manifested as seminal emissions or leukorrhea.
*Use with Dogwood fruit (Shanzhuyu), Dioscorea (Shanyao), Dadder seed (Tusizi) and Oyster shell (Muli).

3.   Stomach pain and acid regurgitation.
*Use with Tendrilled fritillary bulb (Chuanbeimu) in the formula Wu Bei San.

4.     Eczema or chronic ulcers.
*Use with Phellodendron bark (Huangbai) and Natural indigo (Qingdai) for external use in powder form.
Dosage: 6-12 g
Cautions: This substance is contraindicated in cases with deficient yin and excessive heat.