How to Take Stalactite? Detailed Explanation of Its Benefits, Effects, and Contraindicated Groups
Stalactite, also known as “stalactite milk” or “stalactite,” is a sediment formed in caves when limestone layers are eroded and dissolved by rainwater or groundwater. It not only has great ornamental value but can also be used as medicine. So what are the benefits and effects of stalactite? How is it taken? Who should not take it?
I. The Formation Process of Stalactite
The formation process of stalactite is actually a chemical reaction; this substance is mainly formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate and other minerals. The aqueous solution continuously dripping from the cave ceiling reacts chemically with the air to form sediment. This chemical reaction is a reverse chemical reaction. As the aqueous solution continues to drip and the reverse reaction continues to occur, stalactite grows at a rate of 3 millimeters per year. In fact, every stalactite originates from a drop of water containing minerals, which is also where the wonder of nature lies.
This is the formation process of stalactite; it seems simple but is the accumulation of time bit by bit. In traditional Chinese medicine, stalactite is generally used to treat conditions such as cold pain in the waist and knees, stomach pain with acid regurgitation, and blocked milk secretion, and it is used very widely.
II. The Benefits and Effects of Stalactite
Guangxi and Yunnan are the main provinces and regions with the richest stalactite resources in China. The stalactite produced there is glossy and translucent, with peculiar shapes, and has high appreciation and collection value, and is deeply loved by people. It can also be used as medicine. It mainly contains calcium carbonate and has the effects of warming the lungs, supporting yang, relieving asthma, and reducing acid. It is used for conditions such as cold-phlegm asthma and cough, yang-deficiency cold asthma, cold pain in the waist and knees, stomach pain with acid regurgitation, and blocked milk secretion.
1. Replenishing qi and warming the spleen
Stalactite is sweet and warm, enters the spleen meridian, and has the function of replenishing qi and warming the spleen. It is often used to treat emaciation and diarrhea caused by weakness of the spleen and stomach. “Yi Lin Zuan Yao”: It replenishes the gate of life, breaks chronic cold, warms the spleen and stomach, and generates qi and blood.
2. Benefiting qi and promoting lactation
Stalactite is pungent, dispersing, and warm, enters the stomach, benefits qi, and promotes lactation. “Ben Cao Jing Shu”: “Stalactite opens the hundred joints, frees the nine orifices, and promotes milk secretion, which is the power of its pungent and warm nature.” Therefore, this product is used to treat failure of milk secretion caused by various reasons.
3. Warming the lungs and relieving asthma
Stalactite is sweet and warm in nature and flavor, enters the lungs, can warm the lungs and transform phlegm, relieve cough and asthma, and is often used to treat consumptive cough and cough with reversed qi and asthma. “Ben Cao Qiu Yuan”: “It warms the lungs and absorbs qi, and treats lung cold with reversed qi, asthma and cough with clear phlegm.”
4. Benefiting essence and improving vision
Stalactite is sweet and warm, and has the function of benefiting the liver and strengthening yang. The liver stores blood, the kidney stores essence, the liver and kidney share the same source, and the eyes are the orifice of the liver. If the liver and kidney are deficient, essence and blood cannot nourish upward, and the eyes lose nourishment. Symptoms include: dim vision, blurred sight, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, cold body and limbs, frequent urination at night, and deep, slow, and weak pulse. This product can be used to tonify the kidney and benefit the liver to treat dim vision.
5. Tonifying the kidney and strengthening yang
Stalactite is sweet in flavor and warm in nature, enters the kidney meridian, and has the function of tonifying the kidney and strengthening yang. It is often used to treat weakness of the waist and knees, impotence, and diabetes. “Yao Xing Lun”: “It mainly treats seminal emission, cold cough, strengthens original qi, and can free the voice.”
6. Nutritional value
Stalactite is a carbonate mineral of the calcite family, calcite, and mainly contains calcium carbonate. It also contains trace elements such as iron, copper, potassium, zinc, and manganese.
(1) Stalactite can neutralize excess stomach acid in the stomach, and after absorption in the intestines it can increase calcium ions in the blood and has an excitatory effect on the sympathetic nerves.
(2) Calcium carbonate has low solubility in water and can only be dissolved under the action of stomach acid; only then can calcium ions be released and utilized by the body, so it also consumes a large amount of stomach acid and has an astringent and acid-reducing effect.
III. How to Take Stalactite
1. Wash the stalactite pieces, take 10 to 15 g, and decoct in water.
2. There are stalactite pills and stalactite powder on the market. If it is stalactite pills, one to two pills per day is enough; for stalactite powder, taking two qian per day is best, but the specific amount is still best consulted with a physician.
IV. Dietary Contraindications for Stalactite
Not everyone is suitable to take stalactite, because stalactite is warm in nature and therefore has a certain effect in treating diseases with cold characteristics. However, people taking stalactite still need to pay attention to whether they are suitable to take this medicinal material. If the constitution is inclined to heat, such as in people with yin deficiency and hyperactive fire, it is not suitable to take.