虎骨

Tiger’s bone (Hugu)

Pharmaceutical Name: Os tigris

Zoological Name: Panthera tigris L.

Common Name: Tiger’s bone

Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu

Part Used: The fresh bone is dried in the shade, and then pounded into small pieces or soaked in wine or made into pills or powder.

Natural Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm

Meridians: Liver and kidney

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To dispel wind and dampness and stop pain.

2. To strengthen tendons and bones.

Indications:
1. Wind-damp obstruction syndrome manifested as rheumatic pain, spasm of the limbs and motor impairment of joints. Tiger’s bone (Hugu) is used with Chaenomeles fruit (Mugua), Cyathula root (Niuxi), Acanthopanax bark (Wujiapi), Mulberry twigs (Sangzhi) and Teasel root (Xuduan) in the formula Hugu Mugua Jiu.

2. Deficient liver and kidney manifested as fragile bones and tendons and weakness of the limbs. Tiger’s bone (Hugu) is used with Prepared rehmannia root (Shudihuang) and Cyathula root (Niuxi) in the formula Hu Qian Wan.

Dosage: 3-6 g