Anchors, Settles, Calms the Spirit: Long Gu (dragon bone)

Long Gu

龙骨 long gu os draconis

long = dragon
gu = bone

CALMS & ASTRINGES.

Heart
Liver
Kidney

NEUTRAL, Sweet, Astringent

SUMMARY: Long Gu astringes -- like a cowboy lassoing a steer -- it holds back what is escaping (the normal qi), meanwhile, it is heavy, so it anchors the floating yang and calms things down (the spirit). Though it prevents "loss and leakage" it does not get in the way of a pathogen that needs to leave. Long Gu is prescribed often when the yin is not able to control the yang leading to insomnia, spasms, dizziness, restlessness, palsy; and vice versa -- the yang not securing the yin which shows up as lots of fluids coming out: sweat, blood (bleeding from the nose or uterus, or blood in the vomit, stool, urine), urine, and sperm.

Specific Indications for Long Gu:

1. Settles anxiety, calms the spirit
* emotional distress / restlessness
* insomnia
* palpitations & anxiety
* seizures
* manic-depressive tendencies

2. Calms the Liver / Anchors & Astringes Floating Yang
* irritability & restlessness (bad temper due to LV yin deficiency w/ yang rising)
* dizziness, vertigo, blurry vision

3. Prevents fluid leakage - day or night
* sperm, sweat, urine, vaginal discharge, uterine bleeding