Bīng Piàn (冰片) — Borneol
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1. Overview
Bīng Piàn (冰片) — borneol — is an aromatic crystalline substance derived traditionally from the Dryobalanops aromatica tree and today usually produced synthetically. It is one of the most aromatic and penetrating substances in the Chinese materia medica, classified as an aromatic substance that opens the orifices. It is used internally (in pills and powders, never decoctions) to revive consciousness in patterns of obstruction with Heat, and topically as a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory ingredient in eye drops, mouth and throat lozenges, ointments and patches.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Bīng Piàn |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 冰片 |
| Latin name | Borneolum Syntheticum |
| English name | Borneol |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Pungent, bitter |
| Channels entered | Heart, Spleen, Lung |
| Category | Aromatic substances that open the orifices |
| Dosage | 0.03–0.1 g, in pills or powder; topical as required |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Opens the orifices and revives consciousness — for sudden loss of consciousness, febrile delirium and high fever with closed orifices. Used in classical first-aid formulas such as An Gong Niu Huang Wan.
- Clears Heat and relieves pain — for sore red painful eyes (in eye drops), sore throat and mouth ulcers (in lozenges), and topical inflammation.
- Disperses swelling and reduces topical pain — component of plasters and ointments for traumatic injury, joint pain and skin lesions; enhances skin penetration of co-formulated herbs.
4. Key formulas
- An Gong Niu Huang Wan — classical Heat-clearing orifice-opening formula for febrile stroke.
- Bing Peng San — topical mouth-ulcer powder.
- Suo He Xiang Wan / Tiger Balm-style external analgesic preparations.
5. Cautions
Contraindicated in pregnancy and in patterns of deficiency without Heat. Internal use is restricted to very small doses in pill or powder form — never decocted. Synthetic borneol is the modern norm in licensed Chinese hospital pharmaceuticals.
6. Treatment at my clinic
Bing Pian is rarely prescribed internally in modern UK practice. It is occasionally used in topical formulations and in patent kai qiao (orifice-opening) emergency pills. Online Chinese herbal consultations are available. See prices for costs.
