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Actinolite, Amianthus, Yang Qi Shi 阳起石

Amianthus, a type of Actinolite (traditionally Alumen plumbosum)
Picture
Amianthus and Asbestos treated together in
Museum Museorum, Valentini, 1704

Picture
Amianthus
A History of Fossils, Hill, 1751

Picture
Actinolite (Heath Canyon, California, USA)
Photo by Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com

Mineralogical name:
Green mineral of the amphibole group containing calcium, magnesium and iron

Parts used:
Finely powdered mineral

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Salty

Classification:
N. Tonic

Uses:
1. Warms and Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Impotence, Spermatorrhea, Premature Ejaculation, Nocturnal Emission
-pain and weakness of the Lower Back and Knees
-used for conditions with Yang deficiency.
-Amianthus stone was used for leg weakness (West)

2. Warms and Strengthens the Womb:
-Infertility
-Uterine Bleeding from Coldness of the Womb (TCM)
-Endometritis (TCM)
-Amianthus was likewise used for Leukorrhea and Uterine Bleeding (West)

3. Externally:
-Amianthus was primarily used externally in the West (principally, in Citron Ointment)
-Scabs and Scald Heads (Amianthus)
-Erysipelas (mixed with water, applied as a paste) (Ben Cao Gang Mu)


DOSE:
500mg–2 grams of the levigated powder

COMMENT:
1. The Stone Amianthus is believed to have been a variety of Actinolite, although was classically classed as a variety of Alum (Alumen Plumosum)
2. Fibrous Actinolite is one of the 6 varieties of Asbestos. Therefore, fibrous forms must be handled very carefully.

PREPARATION:
It is levigated finely by grinding in a mortar with water

Main Combinations:
1. Impotence, Premature Ejaculation, Lower Back pain and weakness from Cold and Weak Kidneys (Yang deficiency):
i. Take powdered Actinolite Yang Qi Shi with Wine. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
ii. Actinolite Yang Qi Shi with Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong), Cinnamon
iii. Actinolite Yang Qi Shi with Psoralea Bu Gu Zhi, Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi), Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong)
2. Nocturnal Emission, Actinolite Yang Qi Shi with Stalactite and Aconitum Fu Zi (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
3. Coldness of the Womb, Infertility:
i. Actinolite Yang Qi Shi with Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong)
ii. Actinolite Yang Qi Shi with Flourite, Dang Gui


Cautions:
1. Not used in Yin deficiency with Heat
2. It must be powdered extremely finely to prevent irritation from fibers. Fibrous Actinolite is a type of Asbestos, and while not toxic itself, the fine fibers inhaled cause irritation and can potentially result in asbestosis and even Lung cancer.

Main Preparations used:

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