Bezoar

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Beijing, Tianjin, Gansu, Inner Mongolia.

Often oval, sub-spherical, triangular or cubed shaped, uneven size, 0.6~3 (4.5) cm diameter, few tube-like or crushed pieces. Externally yellowish-red to brownish-yellow, sometimes has black lustrous external membrane; sometimes rough, with verrucous protrusions, sometimes with cracked lines. Light, brittle texture, easily peeled by layers, fractured surface is golden yellow, can see thin and dense concentric layers, sometimes has a white center. Clear aroma, bitter and then sweet taste, with clear feeling, easily broken, when chewed it is not sticky to the teeth.

Superior medicinal material is intact, brownish-yellow, clear lines of fractured surface.

Sweet, cool.

Clears heart, sweeps phlegm, opens the orifices, cool the liver, extinguishes wind, resolves toxin. Apply to coma due to heat, stroke with phlegm, convulsion, epilepsy, throat swelling and pain, mouth and tongue sore, abscess swelling, furuncle and sore.

‘Black golden clothing’: this refers to a shiny black thin membranous layer that can sometimes be seen on the surface of niu huang medicinal material.