Natural Herb Library

Fu Hai Shi Pumice

Chinese
浮海石
Pinyin
Fu Hai Shi
Latin
Pumex
Scientific specimen plate of Pumice, Pumex, showing pale broad-pored volcanic mineral material and diagnostic details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Fu Hai Shi (浮海石), this salty, cold herb enters the Bladder and Lung. Traditionally, it clears Lung Heat and transforms phlegm ... Fu Hai Shi is used for cough, wheezing, and stubborn phlegm where Heat and hardness are part of the pattern, most often applied for productive cough, wheezing, and thyroid nodule. Modern research has identified Mineral among its active constituents.

Part used: Pumice

Also Known As

Light Pumice Stone Sea Floating Stone Pumice

Latin: Pumex | Pinyin: Fu Hai Shi | Chinese: 浮海石

TCM Properties

Taste
salty
Temperature
cold
Channels
Bladder, Lung

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears Lung Heat and transforms phlegm ... Fu Hai Shi is used for cough, wheezing, and stubborn phlegm where Heat and hardness are part of the pattern.
  • Softens hardness and dissipates nodules ... the herb is classically directed toward scrofula-like swellings, thyroid-type nodules, and firm phlegm accumulations.
  • Promotes urination and relieves strangury ... traditional use also includes difficult urination and damp-Heat urinary patterns.

Secondary Actions

  • This page follows the pale, airy, broad-pored Fu Hai Shi specimen lane from the local prompt and stays visually distinct from the darker denser `pumice-2` sibling.
  • The two pumice pages belong to the same overall medicinal tradition, so the difference here is one of trade identity and specimen presentation rather than a completely separate substance class.

Classic Formulas

  • Phlegm-heat cough prescriptions ... Fu Hai Shi is chosen when heat, hardness, and obstruction overlap in the Lung.
  • Scrofula and nodule-softening combinations ... the mineral is used with seaweeds and phlegm-dispersing herbs for firm swellings.
  • Urinary strangury formulas ... it can be included when heat and rough obstruction affect urination.

Classical References

  • Traditional medicine describes Hai Fu Shi type pumice as salty and cold, able to clear Lung Heat, soften hardness, transform phlegm, and promote urination.
  • Its mineral heaviness explains why it is chosen more for hardness and phlegm obstruction than for gentle surface-level symptoms.
  • Because historical records vary in naming order, Fu Hai Shi and Hai Fu Shi are best treated carefully as sibling lanes within the same pumice tradition.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Mineral matrix rich in amorphous silica and related porous volcanic components
  • Trace mineral constituents associated with pumice's light vesicular structure

Studied Effects

  • Direct indexed pharmacology on medicinal Pumex is sparse ... PubMed literature is dominated by occupational inhalation studies rather than TCM-style medicinal evaluation.
  • A 2004 CT study described liparitosis as a pneumoconiosis due to amorphous silica exposure, which is indirectly relevant to powder-handling safety around fine pumice dust rather than to classical decoction use (PMID 14979493).
  • A 2016 imaging study on pleuro-pulmonary damage caused by pumice inhalation likewise reinforces caution around airborne pumice exposure while leaving traditional internal use largely under-studied in indexed literature (PMID 26231253).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Dry cough without phlegm-Heat or hardness
  • Marked Spleen-Stomach deficiency if cold mineral substances worsen digestion

Cautions

  • Fine pumice dust should not be inhaled casually.
  • This is a cold mineral dispersing herb, not a gentle general-purpose respiratory supplement.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fu Hai Shi Pumice used for?

Fu Hai Shi Pumice is traditionally used to Clears Lung Heat and transforms phlegm ... Fu Hai Shi is used for cough, wheezing, and stubborn phlegm where Heat and hardness are part of the pattern., Softens hardness and dissipates nodules ... the herb is classically directed toward scrofula-like swellings, thyroid-type nodules, and firm phlegm accumulations., Promotes urination and relieves strangury ... traditional use also includes difficult urination and damp-Heat urinary patterns.. Research has investigated its effects on: Direct indexed pharmacology on medicinal Pumex is sparse ... PubMed literature is dominated by occupational inhalation studies rather than TCM-style medicinal evaluation.; A 2004 CT study described liparitosis as a pneumoconiosis due to amorphous silica exposure, which is indirectly relevant to powder-handling safety around fine pumice dust rather than to classical decoction use (PMID 14979493)..

What are other names for Fu Hai Shi Pumice?

Fu Hai Shi Pumice is also known as Light Pumice Stone, Sea Floating Stone, Pumice. In TCM: 浮海石 (Fu Hai Shi); Pumex.

Is Fu Hai Shi Pumice safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Fu Hai Shi Pumice during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Fu Hai Shi Pumice?

Fu Hai Shi Pumice should not be used in: Dry cough without phlegm-Heat or hardness; Marked Spleen-Stomach deficiency if cold mineral substances worsen digestion. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.