Muscovitum
Aliases：Yún Mǔ, Yín Jīng Shí, Bái Yún Mǔ, Yún Zhū, Yún Huá, Yún Yīng, Yún Yè, Yún Shā, Lín Shí, Yún Fěn Shí, Qiān Céng Bō, Qiān Céng Zhǐ, Jīn Xīng Shí, Lǎo Yā Jīn.
Yún Mǔ Shí is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the ore of Muscovite, a mineral belonging to the mica group of silicates. It appears as irregular foliated aggregates, colorless and transparent or with a slight pale green or grey tint, with a vitreous or pearly luster. It is flexible, can be easily peeled into thin elastic sheets, light in weight, with a faint odor and a bland taste. Yún Mǔ Shí was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Calms the spirit and relieves convulsions; astringes sores and stops bleeding.
Indications
Indicated for palpitations, insomnia, dizziness, epilepsy, chronic diarrhea, leukorrhea, traumatic bleeding, eczema, and other conditions. It may also be used for hemoptysis, hematemesis, debility with Qi weakness, and carbuncles and sores.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have found that Yún Mǔ Shí exhibits hemostatic (blood-clotting), intestinal mucosal protective, and gastric mucosal protective effects. In addition, as it contains potassium, sodium, and other elements, it has certain diuretic effects.
Ingredients
Yún Mǔ Shí mainly contains hydrous potassium aluminum silicate KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂, of which aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) accounts for approximately 38.5%, silicon dioxide (SiO₂) approximately 45.2%, potassium oxide (K₂O) approximately 11.8%, and water (H₂O) approximately 4.5%. It also contains sodium, magnesium, iron, lithium, and other components, as well as trace amounts of fluorine, titanium, barium, manganese, chromium, and other elements.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, usual dosage 10–15 g; or make into pills or powders. Some sources also document a dosage of 9–15 g. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, grind into powder and sprinkle on, or mix and apply topically to the affected area.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with Yin deficiency with fire excess and constipation. Use with caution during pregnancy. Contraindicated in those allergic to this product.
Selected Formulas
For malaria with pronounced cold (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Shuqi San) Take calcined mica stone together with Longgu (Dragon bone), make into powder, and take. For deficiency wheezing, dizziness, palpitations, and epilepsy (empirical formula) Take calcined mica stone, often with Baifan (alum), make into powder, and take. For chronic red and white dysentery that does not heal for years (empirical formula, Yunmushi San) Take mica stone, grind into powder, and take. For phlegm-rheum headache with alternating chills and fever (empirical formula, Hengshan San) Take calcined mica stone, grind into powder, and take.
Daily Consumption
Decoction for oral administration: Take 10–15 g of Yún Mǔ Shí, crush it, and take it in a decoction. This is the most common method. Pills or powders: Prepare into pills or powders according to prescription and take.
Medicinal Parts
Natural muscovite ore.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a dry place, protected from dust. Vinegar-processed Yún Mǔ Shí should be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture.
