Jin Bo
Aurum (Au)
☯ TCM Properties
Calms the Spirit and Settles Fright; Calms the Heart and settles the ethereal and corporeal souls; Resolves Toxicity; Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang
Botanical Description
Jin Bo is metallic gold (Au, atomic number 79) prepared as extremely thin leaf or foil for medicinal use. Native gold is a soft, dense, malleable, and ductile noble metal occurring in nature as nuggets, flakes, and grains in placer deposits and in quartz veins; it is highly resistant to chemical attack and does not tarnish in air or water. Medicinal-grade gold leaf is produced by hammering refined gold between sheets of parchment or specially prepared paper until it is reduced to a leaf only 0.1 micrometer or so in thickness, light enough to float on the slightest air current. Pieces of the leaf are applied to the surface of pills or decocted with mineral and shell sedatives. In traditional Chinese medicine gold leaf is acrid, bitter, and balanced with slight toxicity, settling and anchoring the spirit and pacifying the Liver for fright palpitations, convulsions, epilepsy, mania, and fright-wind in children, and is incorporated as a coating in classical sedative formulas such as An Gong Niu Huang Wan.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Jin Bo (gold foil) is used in Chinese medicine primarily to settle the Heart, calm the Shen, and anchor internally rising Liver Yang. It appears in classical formulas for anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, and manic or agitated mental states attributed to excess Liver Fire or Phlegm-Fire disturbing the Heart. Its metal nature gives it weight and settling properties, and it is most often used to coat pills rather than as a stand-alone ingredient in decoctions.
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.