Prepared Fossilized Dragon Teeth
- Chinese
- 煅龙齿
- Pinyin
- Duan Long Chi
- Latin
- Dens Draconis Praeparata
Known in TCM as Duan Long Chi (煅龙齿), this astringent, cool herb enters the Heart and Liver. Traditionally, it calms the spirit and relieves agitation ... Duan Long Chi is used for insomnia, fright, dream-disturbed sleep, irritability, and palpitations when the Heart spirit is unsettled, most often applied for insomnia, anxiety, and palpitations.
Part used: Tooth
Also Known As
Latin: Dens Draconis Praeparata | Pinyin: Duan Long Chi | Chinese: 煅龙齿
TCM Properties
- Taste
- astringent
- Temperature
- cool
- Channels
- Heart, Liver
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Calms the spirit and relieves agitation ... Duan Long Chi is used for insomnia, fright, dream-disturbed sleep, irritability, and palpitations when the Heart spirit is unsettled.
- Clears heat and settles convulsive unrest ... traditional use extends to epilepsy, spasms, and agitation when Liver wind or heat contributes to the presentation.
- Anchors and quiets rather than richly nourishes ... it works through the heavy settling action of a fossil-mineral medicine rather than through tonic supplementation.
Secondary Actions
- Compared with raw Long Chi, the prepared form is more clinically workable because calcining or related heat processing makes the fossil teeth easier to crush and somewhat cleaner to decoct.
- The clinical difference between Long Chi and Long Gu remains important ... dragon teeth are more strongly associated with fright, palpitations, and convulsive unrest, while dragon bone is broader at securing leakage.
Classic Formulas
- Long Chi with Yuan Zhi, Fu Shen, and Ren Shen ... spirit-calming pairing logic for fright, palpitations, and insomnia.
- Long Chi with Gou Teng, Tian Ma, or Niu Huang ... traditional strategy when agitation is accompanied by wind, tremor, or seizure tendency.
- Mineral-settling combinations with Long Gu and Mu Li ... classical logic when heavy anchoring of the Heart and Liver is required.
Classical References
- Traditional references describe Long Chi as astringent and cool, entering the Heart and Liver with actions of relieving restlessness, settling fright, and calming convulsive agitation.
- Preparation mainly changes handling, texture, and practicality rather than creating a wholly different therapeutic family.
- PREPARATION NOTE: Duan Long Chi refers to a processed or calcined fossil tooth specimen used medicinally, not to a different source material from Long Chi.
Modern Research
Studied Effects
- Direct indexed modern literature on Long Chi itself remains sparse, and most contemporary discussion focuses on the related fossil medicine Long Gu or on material identification rather than on herb-specific clinical evidence.
- Because the evidence gap is large, modern claims for Duan Long Chi should remain conservative and anchored primarily in traditional use.
- Current scientific relevance is strongest in authentication, mineral safety, and preparation quality rather than in modern single-herb clinical trials.
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Cold deficiency patterns without agitation or heat
- Unverified mineral source
Cautions
- As a fossil mineral substance, Duan Long Chi should be sourced carefully because contamination, substitution, and authenticity concerns are more relevant than for ordinary botanicals.
- It is a settling adjunct, not a stand-alone treatment for seizures, insomnia, or serious psychiatric symptoms.
- Dense mineral medicines are traditionally pre-crushed and decocted first rather than swallowed casually as unprocessed powder.
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Prepared Fossilized Dragon Teeth used for?
Prepared Fossilized Dragon Teeth is traditionally used to Calms the spirit and relieves agitation ... Duan Long Chi is used for insomnia, fright, dream-disturbed sleep, irritability, and palpitations when the Heart spirit is unsettled., Clears heat and settles convulsive unrest ... traditional use extends to epilepsy, spasms, and agitation when Liver wind or heat contributes to the presentation., Anchors and quiets rather than richly nourishes ... it works through the heavy settling action of a fossil-mineral medicine rather than through tonic supplementation.. Research has investigated its effects on: Direct indexed modern literature on Long Chi itself remains sparse, and most contemporary discussion focuses on the related fossil medicine Long Gu or on material identification rather than on herb-specific clinical evidence.; Because the evidence gap is large, modern claims for Duan Long Chi should remain conservative and anchored primarily in traditional use..
What are other names for Prepared Fossilized Dragon Teeth?
Prepared Fossilized Dragon Teeth is also known as Calcined Dragon Teeth, Draconis. In TCM: 煅龙齿 (Duan Long Chi); Dens Draconis Praeparata.
Is Prepared Fossilized Dragon Teeth safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Prepared Fossilized Dragon Teeth during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Prepared Fossilized Dragon Teeth?
Prepared Fossilized Dragon Teeth should not be used in: Cold deficiency patterns without agitation or heat; Unverified mineral source. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.