Shui Niu Jiao
Bubalus bubalis Linnaeus
โฏ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Cools the Blood; Resolves Toxicity; Calms the spirit and arrests tremors; Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding
Botanical Description
Shui Niu Jiao is the horn of the domestic water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis (family Bovidae), a large ungulate widely raised across southern China, South and Southeast Asia. The horns are paired, hollow, keratinous sheaths covering bony cores on the skull; they are stout, triangular in cross-section near the base, sweeping outward and backward in a wide arc, and may reach 50-100 cm along the curve in adult animals. The surface is dark grey to black, smooth or with shallow transverse ridges, hard, and slightly translucent at the tip. After slaughter, the horn sheaths are detached, cleaned, sawn into sections, and either shaved into thin slices or ground to fine powder for medicinal use. In TCM, the horn is classified as a salty, cold substance that clears heat from the blood and cools the heart; it is used as a substitute for endangered rhinoceros horn (Xi Jiao).
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Shui Niu Jiao (water buffalo horn) is a cold, bitter substance used as a substitute for the now-prohibited rhinoceros horn in classical formulas for clearing intense Heat from the Blood. It is applied in conditions of high fever, delirium, loss of consciousness, rashes, and bleeding from Blood Heat, particularly in the context of febrile disease. While less potent than the substance it replaces, it serves an important role in preserving classical treatment strategies without promoting endangered species use.
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.