Niú Huáng Jiě Dú Wán (牛黄解毒丸) — Cattle Gallstone Toxin-Resolving Pill
Information only — not used or prescribed at this clinic. This page documents a traditional Chinese herbal formula that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients, for reference and education. I do not use or prescribe any animal products. Every formula I prescribe is built entirely from plant and mineral herbs.
This is a toxic substance that is not prescribed in modern UK practice.
Plant and mineral alternatives I use instead include plant fire-draining herbs such as Huang Lian, Lian Qiao and Jin Yin Hua (realgar is also avoided on toxicity grounds).
On this page
- Overview
- Ingredients
- Traditional actions and indications
- Plant-based alternatives
- Why it is not prescribed
1. Overview
Niú Huáng Jiě Dú Wán (牛黄解毒丸) — Cattle Gallstone Toxin-Resolving Pill — is a traditional formula of the Chinese Materia Medica that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients. It is described here for information and reference only. I do not use or prescribe Niú Huáng Jiě Dú Wán or any formula containing animal products; where a comparable effect is needed I prescribe a plant-based formula matched to the patient's TCM pattern.
2. Ingredients
Traditional ingredients include:
- Niu Huang (ox gallstone) (animal product)
- Xiong Huang (realgar — arsenic, toxic)
- Shi Gao, Huang Qin, Da Huang, Jie Geng, Gan Cao (plants)
3. Traditional actions and indications
Traditional actions
- Clears Heat and resolves fire toxicity
Traditional indications
- Sore throat, mouth ulcers, toothache and red eyes from fire toxin
4. Plant-based alternatives
In my practice I use plant-based formulas in place of Niú Huáng Jiě Dú Wán. Depending on the TCM pattern, suitable alternatives include plant fire-draining herbs such as Huang Lian, Lian Qiao and Jin Yin Hua (realgar is also avoided on toxicity grounds). Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.
5. Why it is not prescribed
Niú Huáng Jiě Dú Wán contains toxic ingredients and is not prescribed in modern UK practice. All Chinese herbs and formulas should be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), which prohibits the use of endangered species. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council and does not use animal products of any kind.
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