This product is an ore of the spinel group mineral magnetite in the cubic crystal system oxide class, primarily containing iron(III) oxide (Fe₃O₄). It is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Shandong, Liaoning, Guangdong, Anhui, Hebei, and other regions. It can be mined at any time, and after removing impurities, the ones with strong magnetic attraction (commonly referred to as "live Magnetite" or "spiritual Magnetite") are selected for medicinal use. It is used either in its raw form or finely ground after quenching with vinegar.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Salty, cold. Act on heart, liver and kidney meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Setting heart and calming mind, pacifying liver and subduing yang, improving hearing and vision, regulating qi and relieving asthma.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for restlessness, palpitation due to fright, and epilepsy. Magnetite, being heavy and settling, enters the heart and has the function of setting the heart and calming the mind; its salty taste enters the kidney, also providing benefits to the kidney. It can protect true yin, suppress floating yang, and calm the mind. Therefore, it is commonly used to treat kidney deficiency with liver hyperactivity, up-flaming of liver fire disturbing the mind, or fright and qi disorder leading to failure of the mind to keep to its abode, resulting in restlessness, palpitation due to fright, insomnia, and epilepsy. It is often used in combination with Cinnabar, Medicated Leaven, such as in Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill.
2. Used for liver yang vertigo. This product enters the liver and kidney, capable of both pacifying and subduing liver yang, and benefiting kidney yin to restrain floating yang. Therefore, it is used to treat symptoms of ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang such as dizziness, blurred vision, irritability, and anger, often combined with Abalone Shell, oyster shell, Peony Root, and other liver-pacifying and yang-subduing drugs.
3. Used for liver and kidney deficiency, dim vision, and deafness. This product benefits kidney yin and has the effect of improving hearing and vision. It is used to treat kidney deficiency tinnitus and deafness, often in combination with Prepared Rehmannia Root, Asiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit, Schisandra Fruit, and other kidney-tonifying ingredients to nourish the kidney and improve hearing, such as in Zuoci's Deafness Pill; for liver and kidney deficiency with dim vision, it can be combined with Barbary Wolfberry Fruit, white Chrysanthemum Flower, glossy privet fruit, and other liver and kidney tonifying and vision-improving ingredients. In recent years, Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill has been used to treat internal visual obstruction, improving vision.
4. Used for kidney deficiency panting. This product benefits the kidney, improves qi reception, and relieves dyspnea. For deficiency-type dyspnea due to insufficient kidney qi and inability to control qi reception, it is often used in combination with Schisandra Fruit, walnut kernel, Tokay Gecko, etc., to collectively achieve the effect of improving qi reception and relieving dyspnea.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "Mainly treats Zhoubi wind-dampness, pain in the limbs and joints... eliminates severe heat, irritability, and deafness."
2. Bencao Gangmu: "Treats various kidney diseases, and unblocks ears improving vision."
3. Bencao Congxin: "Treats fear and severe palpitation."
4. Bencao Biandu: "Improves qi reception and relieves dyspnea."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct 15-30g, crush before use. For pills and powders, take 1-3g each time. Use raw for calming the heart and mind, pacifying the liver, and subduing yang. Use vinegar-processed for improving hearing, enhancing vision, and regulating qi.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

As it is difficult to digest after ingestion, it should not be taken in large quantities when used in pills or powders. It should be used with caution by those with spleen-stomach weakness.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product is mainly composed of iron(III) oxide (Fe₃O₄), containing 31% FeO and 69% Fe₂O₃. It also contains manganese, aluminum, lead, titanium, etc. After calcination and quenching with vinegar, it mainly contains iron(III) oxide and iron acetate. Magnetite has a calming effect on the central nervous system and a tonifying blood effect on iron-deficiency anemia.