Rhinoceros unicornis L. Rhinoceros xondaicus Desmarest Rhinoceros sumatrensis (Fischer），Rhinoceros nicornis LR.simus Burchell
Aliases：Xī Jiǎo (Rhino Horn); Xiān Luó Jiǎo (Siamese Horn); Guǎng Jiǎo (Broad Horn); Tiān Mǎ Jiǎo (Heavenly Horse Horn); Dōu Jiǎo (Helmet Horn); Zhù Jiǎo (Pillar Horn); Dī Mì (Low Density); Xiāng Xī Jiǎo (Fragrant Rhino Horn); Wū Xī Jiǎo (Black Rhino Horn).
Xī Niú Jiǎo (Rhinoceros Horn) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the horn of Rhinoceros unicornis (Indian rhinoceros), Rhinoceros sondaicus (Javan rhinoceros), or Rhinoceros sumatrensis (Sumatran rhinoceros), animals of the Rhinocerotidae family. As rhinos are globally endangered protected species, rhino horn has been strictly prohibited for medicinal use by international conventions and national laws. Currently, water buffalo horn is used as a substitute in clinical practice.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, cools blood, detoxifies, and relieves convulsions.
Indications
Indications: High fever in febrile diseases, delirium, convulsions, hematemesis and epistaxis due to blood heat. It is also used for maculopapular rashes, jaundice, skin eruptions, dark and sinking smallpox pustules, and carbuncles with abscesses. In modern clinical practice, it has been used for Japanese encephalitis, pediatric summer fever, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, among others.
Modern Pharmacology
Main constituents: Rhinoceros horn mainly consists of keratin (similar to human nails and hair), along with other proteins, peptides, free amino acids, guanidine derivatives, and sterols. Cystine accounts for 8.7%, with other basic amino acids including arginine and lysine. Antipyretic effect: Exhibits antipyretic effects. Sedative and procoagulant effects: Horn-based animal medicines are traditionally considered to have sedative and procoagulant properties. Modern research perspective: There is currently insufficient scientific evidence to prove that rhinoceros horn has irreplaceable and unique pharmacological activity. Substitute research: Water buffalo horn is regarded as an ideal substitute due to its chemical similarity.
Ingredients
Keratin: The main component, classified as eukeratin. Other proteins and peptides. Free amino acids: Cystine (accounting for 8.7%), arginine, lysine, histidine, etc. Guanidine derivatives. Sterols. Cholesterol, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral administration: Decoction, 6–15g, crushed and decocted first; or ground into powder and taken with water, 0.3–1 qian (approximately 1–3g) per dose; rhino horn powder, 0.2–0.3g; or prepared in pills or powder. When using slices, it should be decocted for 1 hour first.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: As rhino horn is cold in nature, its use may worsen symptoms in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold. Contraindicated (or use with caution) during pregnancy: The Leigong Paozhi Lun records: "Pregnant women should not take it, as it can dissipate qi." It may disturb fetal qi and cause threatened miscarriage. Not suitable for patients with smallpox who have qi deficiency without significant high fever; should not be mistakenly used in yin pattern of cold damage with restlessness. Contraindicated during menstruation: Due to its cold nature, its use during menstruation may lead to increased menstrual bleeding.
Selected Formulas
For heat entering the blood phase with mental disturbance, fever, delirium, hematemesis, epistaxis, hematochezia, and hematuria (Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang, Xijiao Dihuang Tang) Take Xijiao (Rhinoceros horn), Shengdihuang (Rehmannia), Shaoyao (Peony), and Danpi (Moutan bark). Decoct in water and drink. In modern practice, water buffalo horn (30g) is used as a substitute. For persistent hematemesis (Bencao Gangmu) Take 1 liang each of Xijiao and raw Jiegeng (Platycodon). Grind into powder. Take 2 qian each time with wine. For bright red dysentery (Sheng Hui Fang) Take 1 liang each of Xijiao, Diyu (Sanguisorba), and Shengdihuang. Grind into powder, mix with honey to make pills the size of a bullet. For each dose, take one pill, add 1 sheng of water, decoct to 5 he, strain, and drink warm. For infantile convulsion (Bencao Gangmu) Take Xijiao and combine with related herbs.
Daily Consumption
For decoction: Crush and decoct first, or grind into a liquid and take it. For pills or powder: Grind into a fine powder and prepare in pills or powder.
Medicinal Parts
Horn.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
