Long Gu Mu Li Tang — Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Conditions treated
5. Cautions

Overview

Long Gu Mu Li Tang — Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction — is a classical formula from Zhang Zhongjing’s Shang Han Lun built around the powerful sinking and anchoring mineral pair of Long Gu (fossilised bone) and Mu Li (oyster shell). These two minerals are among the most important sedating, anchoring and astringing substances in the entire TCM materia medica. The formula is used both as a standalone prescription and as a component pair that is added to other formulas to enhance their sedating and anchoring action. It is particularly well suited to the modern clinical pattern of nervous exhaustion with a hyperactive, unanchored Shen — where the mind cannot quieten, the body leaks vital substances through night sweats and emissions, and the patient is in a state of chronic physiological arousal.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Heart and Kidney deficiency with Yang floating upward and loss of containment, characterised by: anxiety, agitation and restlessness, palpitations, insomnia with an inability to settle the mind, night sweats, nocturnal emissions or leakage of vital substances, a pale tongue, and a thin, weak pulse.

Key herbs

1. Long Gu (Os Draconis — fossilised bone) — the principal herb; powerfully anchors Yang, sedates the Shen, astringes and prevents leakage of vital substances including sweat and seminal fluid
2. Mu Li (Ostrea gigas shell) — the second principal herb; anchors Yang, sedates the Shen, softens hardness and astringes; works synergistically with Long Gu
3. Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia twigs) — warms the channels and assists Yang; harmonises the Ying and Wei
4. Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis root) — tonifies Qi and harmonises the formula
5. Sheng Jiang (fresh Zingiber officinale rhizome) — warms the Middle and assists the formula
6. Da Zao (Ziziphus jujuba fruit) — nourishes Blood and Spleen Qi

Conditions treated

1. Anxiety and nervous exhaustion with restlessness and an inability to quieten the mind
2. Insomnia from Yang floating upward and disturbing the Shen
3. Palpitations and cardiac awareness from Heart deficiency with unanchored Yang
4. Night sweats and spontaneous sweating from failure of Yin to hold Yang and contain the body’s fluids
5. Nocturnal emissions and premature ejaculation from failure to astringe and contain Kidney Essence
6. Nervous exhaustion and burnout with agitation, palpitations and leakage of vital substances

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.