Prepared Dragon's Bone
- Chinese
- 煅龙骨
- Pinyin
- Duan Long Gu
- Latin
- Os Draconis Praeparata
Known in TCM as Duan Long Gu (煅龙骨), this sweet and astringent, neutral herb enters the Heart, Liver, and Kidney. Traditionally, it calms the spirit and settles agitation ... Duan Long Gu is classically used for insomnia, fright, anxiety, dream-disturbed sleep, and palpitations when the spirit is unanchored, most often applied for insomnia, anxiety, and palpitations. Modern research has identified Calcium among its active constituents.
Part used: Bone
Also Known As
Latin: Os Draconis Praeparata | Pinyin: Duan Long Gu | Chinese: 煅龙骨
TCM Properties
- Taste
- sweet, astringent
- Temperature
- neutral
- Channels
- Heart, Liver, Kidney
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Calms the spirit and settles agitation ... Duan Long Gu is classically used for insomnia, fright, anxiety, dream-disturbed sleep, and palpitations when the spirit is unanchored.
- Anchors floating Yang and subdues restlessness ... it is chosen when dizziness, irritability, or upward disturbance need a heavy settling mineral.
- Astringes leakage ... compared with Long Chi, Long Gu is more strongly associated with spontaneous sweating, seminal leakage, uterine discharge, and other patterns of instability.
Secondary Actions
- Processing makes the fossilized bone easier to crush and decoct and helps distinguish the clinic-ready medicinal from rough raw mineral material.
- The prepared form preserves the broad Long Gu identity ... heavy settling, Spirit calming, and securing leakage ... rather than establishing a separate herb.
Classic Formulas
- Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (桂枝加龙骨牡蛎汤) ... classic formula for deficiency agitation, dream-disturbed sleep, and seminal leakage with an unanchored spirit.
- Long Gu with Mu Li and Suan Zao Ren ... common strategy for insomnia, spontaneous sweating, and spirit disturbance.
- Long Gu with Fu Shen and Yuan Zhi ... traditional approach when palpitations and fright predominate.
Classical References
- Traditional materia medica describe Long Gu as sweet, astringent, and neutral, entering the Heart, Liver, and Kidney to calm the spirit and secure leakage.
- Preparation changes handling and practicality more than therapeutic identity ... the herb remains defined by its heavy settling and stabilizing nature.
- PREPARATION NOTE: Duan Long Gu refers to processed or calcined Os Draconis material used medicinally, not to a different fossil medicine from Long Gu.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Calcium phosphate and related fossil mineral matrix components ... the dominant material basis of Long Gu
- Carbonate and trace mineral fractions ... part of the heavy astringent fossil profile
- Mineral-derived nano- and carbon-dot preparations ... the main focus of newer experimental pharmacology
Studied Effects
- A review of Os Draconis literature summarized traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacologic work, emphasizing that modern research remains relatively limited and material-focused compared with ordinary botanicals (PMID 22032154).
- Carbon dots derived from Os Draconis showed anxiolytic-like effects in experimental models, suggesting a possible modern bridge for its classic spirit-calming reputation (PMID 36275482).
- Most contemporary work on Long Gu remains preclinical and highly experimental, so the evidence base for Duan Long Gu is still predominantly traditional.
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- External excess disorders without spirit disturbance or leakage
- Unverified fossil-mineral source
Cautions
- As a fossil mineral substance, Duan Long Gu raises sourcing, contamination, and authenticity concerns that do not apply to ordinary culinary herbs.
- It is a traditional settling adjunct, not a stand-alone treatment for major psychiatric or neurologic illness.
- Dense mineral substances are usually pre-crushed and decocted first rather than taken casually as unverified powder.
Conditions
- Insomnia Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Anxiety Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Palpitations Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Spontaneous Sweating Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Prepared Dragon's Bone used for?
Prepared Dragon's Bone is traditionally used to Calms the spirit and settles agitation ... Duan Long Gu is classically used for insomnia, fright, anxiety, dream-disturbed sleep, and palpitations when the spirit is unanchored., Anchors floating Yang and subdues restlessness ... it is chosen when dizziness, irritability, or upward disturbance need a heavy settling mineral., Astringes leakage ... compared with Long Chi, Long Gu is more strongly associated with spontaneous sweating, seminal leakage, uterine discharge, and other patterns of instability.. Research has investigated its effects on: A review of Os Draconis literature summarized traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacologic work, emphasizing that modern research remains relatively limited and material-focused compared with ordinary botanicals (PMID 22032154).; Carbon dots derived from Os Draconis showed anxiolytic-like effects in experimental models, suggesting a possible modern bridge for its classic spirit-calming reputation (PMID 36275482)..
What are other names for Prepared Dragon's Bone?
Prepared Dragon's Bone is also known as Calcined Dragon Bone, Draconis. In TCM: 煅龙骨 (Duan Long Gu); Os Draconis Praeparata.
Is Prepared Dragon's Bone safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Prepared Dragon's Bone during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Prepared Dragon's Bone?
Prepared Dragon's Bone should not be used in: External excess disorders without spirit disturbance or leakage; Unverified fossil-mineral source. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.