Fu Hai Shi
Costazia aculeata Canu et Bassler / Pumice (volcanic rock)
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Lung Heat and Transforms Phlegm; Dissipates Nodules and Softens Hardness; Promotes Urination and Relieves Stranguria
Botanical Description
Fu Hai Shi (literally 'floating sea stone') refers to two distinct but interchangeably used substances in traditional Chinese medicine: the calcareous skeleton of marine bryozoan colonies (principally Costazia aculeata Canu et Bassler) collected from coastal waters of East Asia, or volcanic pumice — a porous, glassy igneous rock formed when frothy lava cools rapidly. Both materials share the defining characteristic of being light, porous, and capable of floating in water; the bryozoan form is composed largely of calcium carbonate, while pumice is a silicate volcanic glass. The substance is collected, washed clean of salt and impurities, dried, and crushed before use. In traditional Chinese medicine, Fu Hai Shi is salty, cold, and enters the lung and kidney channels; it clears heat, transforms phlegm, softens hardness, dissipates nodules, and promotes urination, used for stubborn cough with thick yellow phlegm, scrofula, and urinary stones. It is one of the classical mineral/animal phlegm-transforming substances.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Fu Hai Shi (pumice stone) is a salty, cold mineral substance used primarily to dissolve stubborn, heat-type Phlegm — the thick, congealed kind lodged in the Lungs or forming hard nodules. It softens hardened masses from Phlegm accumulation, drains urinary stones from heat buildup in the Bladder, and relieves Lung Heat with difficult-to-expectorate phlegm. Its softening, dissolving properties make it applicable to diverse conditions involving hardened accumulations.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.