Hai Fu Shi Pumice
- Chinese
- 海浮石
- Pinyin
- Hai Fu Shi
- Latin
- Pumex
Known in TCM as Hai Fu Shi (海浮石), this salty, cold herb enters the Bladder and Lung. Traditionally, it clears Lung Heat and transforms phlegm ... Hai Fu Shi is used for cough and wheezing when sticky phlegm and Heat obstruct the Lung, most often applied for cough, wheezing, and scrofula. Modern research has identified Mineral among its active constituents.
Part used: Pumice
Also Known As
Latin: Pumex | Pinyin: Hai Fu Shi | Chinese: 海浮石
TCM Properties
- Taste
- salty
- Temperature
- cold
- Channels
- Bladder, Lung
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Clears Lung Heat and transforms phlegm ... Hai Fu Shi is used for cough and wheezing when sticky phlegm and Heat obstruct the Lung.
- Softens hardness and dissipates scrofula or nodules ... its mineral dispersing quality is directed toward firm phlegm masses and glandular swellings.
- Promotes urination and relieves damp-Heat strangury ... traditional use also reaches rough obstructive urinary patterns.
Secondary Actions
- This darker denser Hai Fu Shi page stays on the local prompt's finer-pored specimen lane rather than the paler broader-pored `pumice` sibling.
- In practical materia medica terms, Hai Fu Shi is the better-known canonical ordering for the same pumice tradition, so the difference from `Fu Hai Shi` here is mainly intake and specimen identity.
Classic Formulas
- Phlegm-heat cough formulas ... Hai Fu Shi is chosen when hardness and obstruction accompany respiratory symptoms.
- Scrofula and phlegm-nodule combinations ... the mineral is paired with softening and seaweed herbs for firm masses.
- Urinary Heat and strangury prescriptions ... its cold mineral direction supports clearing and downward movement.
Classical References
- Traditional references consistently emphasize clearing Lung Heat, softening hardness, and promoting urination.
- Hai Fu Shi is a characteristic example of a mineral herb that treats both phlegm obstruction and nodules rather than simple deficiency cough.
- The close overlap with Fu Hai Shi means species-like separation would be misleading ... these are better treated as sibling trade lanes.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Mineral matrix rich in amorphous silica and related porous volcanic components
- Trace mineral constituents associated with denser vesicular pumice material
Studied Effects
- Direct indexed pharmacology on medicinal Pumex remains sparse ... most PubMed discussion concerns inhalation exposure rather than classical Chinese medicine use.
- A 2004 CT study described liparitosis as a pneumoconiosis due to amorphous silica exposure, which is more relevant to powder-handling risk than to internal prescribing (PMID 14979493).
- A 2016 imaging study of pumice inhalation injury similarly supports caution around airborne mineral dust while highlighting how little indexed literature directly addresses medicinal Hai Fu Shi use (PMID 26231253).
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Dry cough without phlegm-Heat or nodules
- Marked digestive weakness aggravated by cold mineral medicinals
Cautions
- Fine Hai Fu Shi powder should not be inhaled casually.
- Because the modern indexed literature is mostly occupational rather than therapeutic, claims beyond the classical pattern framework should be made conservatively.
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hai Fu Shi Pumice used for?
Hai Fu Shi Pumice is traditionally used to Clears Lung Heat and transforms phlegm ... Hai Fu Shi is used for cough and wheezing when sticky phlegm and Heat obstruct the Lung., Softens hardness and dissipates scrofula or nodules ... its mineral dispersing quality is directed toward firm phlegm masses and glandular swellings., Promotes urination and relieves damp-Heat strangury ... traditional use also reaches rough obstructive urinary patterns.. Research has investigated its effects on: Direct indexed pharmacology on medicinal Pumex remains sparse ... most PubMed discussion concerns inhalation exposure rather than classical Chinese medicine use.; A 2004 CT study described liparitosis as a pneumoconiosis due to amorphous silica exposure, which is more relevant to powder-handling risk than to internal prescribing (PMID 14979493)..
What are other names for Hai Fu Shi Pumice?
Hai Fu Shi Pumice is also known as Dense Pumice Stone, Sea Floating Stone, Pumice. In TCM: 海浮石 (Hai Fu Shi); Pumex.
Is Hai Fu Shi Pumice safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Hai Fu Shi Pumice during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Hai Fu Shi Pumice?
Hai Fu Shi Pumice should not be used in: Dry cough without phlegm-Heat or nodules; Marked digestive weakness aggravated by cold mineral medicinals. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.