Caprae seu Ovis Ventriculus
Aliases：Yáng Wèi (Goat or Sheep Stomach), Yáng Pí Chī (Goat or Sheep Stomach, archaic name).
Yáng Dù (Sheep Stomach) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the stomach of Capra hircus Linnaeus (goat) or Ovis aries Linnaeus (sheep), animals belonging to the family Bovidae. Sheep stomach is a medicinal and edible substance, which can be used both as medicine and as a daily food ingredient.
Efficacy & Actions
Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach; supplements deficiency and depletion. It has the effects of warming the middle, nourishing the Stomach, supplementing deficiency, and benefiting Qi.
Indications
Spleen-Stomach weakness, consumptive weakness and emaciation. Poor appetite (anorexia). Nausea and vomiting (regurgitation). Spontaneous sweating and night sweating. Diabetes (Xiao Ke, thirsting syndrome). Frequent urination.
Modern Pharmacology
Digestive aid: The “Xiao Shi Su” (digestive factor) extracted from sheep gastric mucosa contains pepsin, rennet, and other enzymes, exhibiting proteolytic and milk-curdling effects. Improvement of digestive function: It can improve vitamin B12 deficiency caused by hyposecretion of gastric function, and has significant effects on stopping infantile milk regurgitation and promoting appetite. Clinical application: Sheep stomach can be used to extract gastrin and pepsin for clinical use.
Ingredients
Per 100 g of sheep stomach contains approximately: moisture 84 g, protein 7.1 g, fat 7.2 g, carbohydrates 1.2 g, ash 0.5 g, calcium 34 mg, phosphorus 98 mg, iron 1.4 mg, thiamine (vitamin B₁) 0.03 mg, riboflavin (vitamin B₂) 0.21 mg, niacin (vitamin PP) 1.8 mg. In addition, it also contains various enzymes such as pepsin and rennet.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: cook and eat, or decoct in water. The usual dosage is one whole stomach. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, burn to ash, and mix with a suitable base for topical application.
Contraindications
Constitutional contraindications: As sheep stomach is warm in nature, it is contraindicated in those with inherent Yin deficiency or Yang hyperactivity. Special disease conditions: It should be avoided during acute gout attacks (due to high purine content). Patients with hyperlipidemia should limit intake to no more than once per week. Allergy and discomfort: Not recommended for those allergic to sheep stomach. It should be consumed in moderation to avoid increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Compatibility contraindication: Consuming sheep stomach together with red beans may cause poisoning.
Selected Formulas
For prolonged illness with emaciation (empirical formula) Take one sheep stomach (cut into pieces) and 1 sheng of Baizhu (Atractylodes, cut). Add 1 dou of water and decoct to 9 sheng. Take 1 sheng each time, three times daily. For stomach‑deficiency wasting thirst (empirical formula) Take sheep stomach, boil until very tender, and eat on an empty stomach. For various types of wind‑stroke (empirical formula) Take one sheep stomach (washed), 2 he of Japonica rice, several scallion whites, 0.5 he of Douchi (fermented soybean), 30 Sichuan peppercorns, and 2.5 qian of fresh ginger. Mix well and stuff into the sheep stomach. Cook until done, season with five flavors, and eat on an empty stomach. For bed‑wetting (enuresis) (empirical formula) Take a sheep stomach, fill it with water, tie both ends with string, cook until done, then take the water inside and drink in one dose. For scrofula under the neck (empirical formula) Take sheep stomach, burn to ash, mix with sesame oil, and apply externally. For snakebite with hand swelling (empirical formula) Take a freshly slaughtered sheep stomach (with contents), cut an opening, and immerse the hand inside. Pain and swelling will subside immediately.
Daily Consumption
Soup: It may be cooked together with Chinese yam (Shān Yào), White Atractylodes (Bái Zhú), Amomum (Shā Rén), and other medicinal herbs to make a medicated diet. Stir-fried: Cut into shreds and quickly stir-fry with onion, chili peppers, and other ingredients.
Medicinal Parts
Stomach (i.e., sheep stomach).
Selection & Storage
Sheep stomach is not suitable for long-term storage. It is recommended to buy fresh and consume promptly. For short-term storage, it may be refrigerated.
