Ren bovis seu Bubali
Aliases：Niú Shèn Jīng Zǐ (Ox Kidney Stone)
Shèn Jīng Zǐ is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the urinary bladder stone of Bos taurus domesticus Gmelin (cattle), Bubalus bubalis Linnaeus (water buffalo), or Sus scrofa domestica Brisson (pig), animals belonging to the family Bovidae. The stone is mostly elliptical or spherical in shape, of varying sizes, with a whitish, dark yellow, or golden-brown surface that is smooth and lustrous. It is generally the size of a small pill, with a silvery-grey appearance. It is light in weight and hard in texture.
Efficacy & Actions
Dissolves stones and treats strangury; promotes diuresis and treats strangury. It is also recorded as having the effect of promoting diuresis and relieving distension.
Indications
Indicated for urinary stones, difficult urination, and strangury with painful dribbling. It may also be used for abdominal distension and fullness.
Modern Pharmacology
Diuretic and strangury-relieving effects: Alleviates difficulty and pain during urination caused by urinary stones. Diuretic and anti-edema effects: Improves edema associated with conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Animal studies have shown that Shèn Jīng Zǐ can reduce the prostate index in rats with prostatic hyperplasia. Stone-dissolving effects: May help dissolve or promote the passage of urinary stones.
Ingredients
Shèn Jīng Zǐ is an animal urinary bladder stone, mainly composed of inorganic salts such as calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. The specific organic components are not yet clear and require further study.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 1–3 g; or grind into powder and take with water, one piece each time.
Contraindications
Pregnant women should use with caution. Patients with a deficiency-cold constitution should use with caution.
Selected Formulas
For urinary tract stones (Chinese Medicinal Animal Records) Take 1–3g of Shenjingzi (animal kidney stone or gallstone from certain animals), decoct in water and drink, or grind into powder and take with water.
Medicinal Parts
Urinary bladder stones.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture.
