Pinyin: Shuiniujiao
Aliases
Shaniu Jiao
Source
Bovidae, water buffaloBubalus bubalisLinnaeus's horn.
Distribution
Produced in all regions south of the Yangtze River.
Harvesting and Processing
It can be harvested throughout the year. After removing the horn, boil in water, remove the horn plug, and dry.
Medicinal Properties
This product is slightly flattened and curved conical in shape, with varying lengths. The surface is brownish-black or grayish-black, with several transverse grooves on one side and dense transverse concave striations on the other side. The upper part gradually tapers with longitudinal striations, while the base is roughly triangular and hollow. It is horny and hard. Odor: faintly fishy; Taste: bland.
Chemical Constituents
Water buffalo horn contains cholesterol, cardiotonic constituents, peptides, keratin fibers, and various amino acids such as serine.
Pharmacology
Has sedative and anticonvulsant effects; enhances cardiac function, slows myocardial contractility, and regulates blood pressure; possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties; protects liver function; affects the blood system by reducing total white blood cell count, decreasing neutrophils, increasing lymphocytes, reducing bone marrow cells, increasing platelets, and lowering blood lipids; enhances the phagocytic function of reticuloendothelial cells.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, cold. Enters the Heart and Liver channels.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat and cools Blood, resolves toxicity, and settles fright. Used for Warm disease with high fever, delirium, macular eruptions, hematemesis, epistaxis, convulsions, and mania.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 15-30 g, for large doses 60-120 g, decoct first for more than 3 hours; grind into powder, 3-9 g per dose; water buffalo horn concentrated powder, 1.5-3 g per dose. External use: appropriate amount, grind into powder for sprinkling or mixing for topical application.
Prescriptions
1. For epidemic encephalitis B with high fever and convulsions: Water buffalo horn slices, for children under 3 years old 30 g daily, for children over 3 years old 60 g daily. Decoct in water for 2 hours, take in 2-3 divided doses daily. Generally use for more than 1 week, or until the patient is fully conscious. (from "Food Chinese Medicine and Prescriptions") 2. For bleeding: Water buffalo horn and hoof, wash clean, place in a sealed container and burn to charcoal, grind into fine powder and sieve. For internal bleeding: take 2 g orally 3 times daily; for external bleeding: sprinkle on the affected area. (from Inner Mongolia "Selected Materials on New Chinese Medicine Therapies") 3. For throat obstruction and swelling that may cause death: Burn buffalo horn, scrape off the ash, sieve finely, mix with wine and take a date-sized amount; can also be mixed with water. (from "Haishang Jiyan Prescriptions") 4. For red baldness and hair loss: Buffalo horn and goat horn (burned to ash) in equal parts. Mix with lard and apply topically. (from "Shenghui Prescriptions") 5. For bee stings: Burn buffalo horn to ash, mix with bitter wine, and apply to the sting. (from "Zhōuhòu Prescriptions")
