Natural Herb Library

Plant Soot Powder

Chinese
百草霜
Pinyin
Bai Cao Shuang
Latin
Pulvis Fumi Carbonisatus
Scientific specimen plate of Powder of Fumi Carbonisatus, Pulvis Fumi Carbonisati, showing Bai Cao Shuang soot powder and diagnostic preparation details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Bai Cao Shuang (百草霜), this acrid, warm herb enters the Liver, Lung, and Stomach. Traditionally, it stops bleeding, especially when bleeding arises from the Lung or Stomach and a warming, constricting powder is preferred, most often applied for hemoptysis, indigestion, and abdominal pain.

Part used: Powder

Also Known As

Boiler soot Soot from the bottom of a boiler

Latin: Pulvis Fumi Carbonisatus | Pinyin: Bai Cao Shuang | Chinese: 百草霜

TCM Properties

Taste
acrid
Temperature
warm
Channels
Liver, Lung, Stomach

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Stops bleeding, especially when bleeding arises from the Lung or Stomach and a warming, constricting powder is preferred.
  • Removes food retention and helps settle the middle burner when stagnant food and focal discomfort are part of the picture.
  • Has a traditional drying and adsorptive character that made it useful in older materia medica for both internal and external hemostatic support.

Secondary Actions

  • Bai Cao Shuang is an unusual processed-material herb rather than a straightforward plant part, which is why trade naming often sounds more like an industrial description than a botanical one.
  • The record belongs in the hemostatic tradition first, with food-retention relief as a secondary classic lane.

Classical References

  • Traditional references classify Bai Cao Shuang as acrid and warm, entering the Liver, Lung, and Stomach to stop bleeding and reduce food retention.
  • Its use is older, pragmatic, and preparation-driven rather than built around a modern phytochemical identity.

Modern Research

Studied Effects

  • No herb-specific PubMed-indexed medicinal literature was identified for Bai Cao Shuang as a classical TCM hemostatic. Contemporary indexed references are sparse and often non-clinical.

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Unknown source material or contaminated soot preparation

Cautions

  • Because this medicine is sourced from soot, contamination and preparation quality are more concerning than for ordinary herbs.
  • Bleeding symptoms require proper medical evaluation rather than relying on improvised hemostatic powders.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Plant Soot Powder used for?

Plant Soot Powder is traditionally used to Stops bleeding, especially when bleeding arises from the Lung or Stomach and a warming, constricting powder is preferred., Removes food retention and helps settle the middle burner when stagnant food and focal discomfort are part of the picture., Has a traditional drying and adsorptive character that made it useful in older materia medica for both internal and external hemostatic support.. Research has investigated its effects on: No herb-specific PubMed-indexed medicinal literature was identified for Bai Cao Shuang as a classical TCM hemostatic. Contemporary indexed references are sparse and often non-clinical..

What are other names for Plant Soot Powder?

Plant Soot Powder is also known as Boiler soot, Soot from the bottom of a boiler. In TCM: 百草霜 (Bai Cao Shuang); Pulvis Fumi Carbonisatus.

Is Plant Soot Powder safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Plant Soot Powder during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Plant Soot Powder?

Plant Soot Powder should not be used in: Unknown source material or contaminated soot preparation. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.