Long Chi
Fossilia Dentis Mastodi
☯ TCM Properties
Calms the Spirit and Settles Fright; Clears Heat and Eliminates Irritability; Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang
Botanical Description
Long Chi (Fossilia Dentis Mastodi) is not a plant material but the fossilised teeth of various large Pleistocene mammals, principally extinct proboscideans such as mastodons and stegodonts, and to a lesser extent fossil teeth of rhinoceroses, deer, and oxen. The medicinal material consists of hard, dense, mineralised tooth fragments and crowns recovered from sedimentary deposits in central and northern China, often together with the related fossil bone material Long Gu. Pieces are heavy, mottled greyish-white, blue-grey, or brownish, with visible enamel ridges and a porcelain-like lustre on fractured surfaces. They are composed largely of fluorapatite and calcium carbonate. Pieces are sorted, brushed clean, and calcined or used raw after crushing.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Long Chi (fossilized teeth, dragon's teeth) is a heavy, cool substance used in Chinese medicine to calm the Spirit, settle palpitations, and anchor Yang. Similar to Long Gu (dragon bone), it addresses anxiety, insomnia with disturbing dreams, and restlessness from Heart-Shen disturbance. Its Liver-calming properties also extend to dizziness and convulsions from Liver Yang rising or Liver Wind. The fossilized animal origin of this substance gives it its traditional "anchoring" and weight-settling properties.
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.