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Sparrow Brain

Maghz Sar Kanjishk (Sparrow brain, Unani)
Maghz Sar Kanjishk Ner (Male sparrow brain, Unani)
Que Nao 雀脑 (TCM)
Picture
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Photo by Boothsift (Wikimedia)

Picture
Picture
Sparrow Brain as available on the Chinese market

Sparrow skull
Photo by Hirvenkürpa (Wikimedia)

Zoological name:
Passer domesticus is the Common European Sparrow. P. montanus is the Tree sparrow.
P. rutilans and P. montanus are used in TCM. Other similar species may be used.

Parts used:
Brain, preferably from male birds.
In China, typically the whole dried skull with brain is used; perhaps with the intent of removing the dried brain when needed.

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet, Salty

Classification:
3I. APHRODISIACS   3J. INCREASE SEMEN
N. Tonics

Uses:
1. Warms and Strengthens the Kidneys, Increases Yang: (West, Unani, TCM)
-Impotence; Aphrodisiac (West, Unani, TCM)
-'Provokes Lust exceedingly'. (Culpeper, Salmon)
-Lower Back and Knee pain with weakness
-nourishes Semen (Aristotle); used for Infertility, Azoospermia
-Frequent or excessive urination
-also for Deafness from Kidney deficiency (TCM)

2. Externally:
-topically, the ash is applied to Frostbite (TCM)
-deafness, some fresh Sparrow brain wrapped in coton wool is placed directly into the ear canal, changing every 12 hours, repeating for 7 days. (TCM)
-Chilblains in children, apply a paste of the brain (TCM)


DOSE:
Of the Powder: 500mg–2 grams
Skull with brain in Decoction: 5–10 grams per day (TCM)

COMMENT:
Sparrow Brain has been used very similarly in Western, Unani and TCM.

SUBSTITUTE:
Duck or Rooster Brains have been substituted. Many bird brains share this effect.

PREPARATION:
1. Sparrow brain is removed from the skull, dipped in brandy and dried in a warm place. If needed, it is re-dipped in Brandy several times until thoroughly dried. This preparation greatly facilitates drying, enhances the effect of warming the Yang, and removes some of the foul smell.
2. In TCM, the head is removed, the skin is peeled off and the skull with brain is dried in an oven.

Main Combinations:
1. Aphrodisiac, Sexual Debility, Impotence:
i. Sparrow Brain, Carrot, Date, Chickpea, Almond, Pistachio, Tribulus, Cinnamon, Saffron (as in Electuary of Sparrows Brains of Unani)
ii. Sparrow Brain, Orchis root, Coconut, Pistachio, Sweet Almond, Walnut, Sesame seed, Poppy seed, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Saffron, Gold (as in Laboob Kabir)
iii. Sparrow Brain, Skink tail, Bull genitals, Orchis, Lesser Cardamon, Cinnamon, Clove, Red and White Behen (as in Majun Salab).
iv. Sparrow Brains, Onion seed, Orchis, Date, Frankincense (equal parts). Form pills the size of a Chick pea. Dose: 5–6 pills.
2. Infertility, Sparrow Brain, Deer or Bull genitals, Fox or Boar Testicles, Sea Holly root, Cinnamon, Date, Saffron
3. Azoospermia (absence of sperm), Sparrow Brain with Codonopsis Dang Shen, Poria Fu Ling, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Licorice, Dang Gui, Paeonia Bai Shao, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Velvet Deer horn (Lu Rong), Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi), Lycium Gou Qi Zi, Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi.
4. Frequent Urination, Sparrow Brain, Bull genitals, Tribulus, Date, Celery root and seed, Sea Holly root, Red Behen, White Behen
5. Frostbite, ash the Brain, mix with oil and apply topically. (Li Shi Zhen, TCM)

Major Formulas:
Electuary to Promote Fertility
Electuary of Sparrows Brains (Unani)
Jawarish Zar Ooni Ambari (Unani)
Laboob Kabir (Unani)


Cautions:
Not for Yin deficient Heat.

Main Preparations used:

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    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine PRO >
      • *Symphytum, Comfrey
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