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Calculus bovis
CATTLE GALLSTONES,
BEZOARS
The brittle bitter-tasting gallstones, or bezoars, that occur in many kinds
of mammal, have been used in traditional Eastern and Western medicine for
centuries for fevers and other "hot" complaints.
The lumps of mineral salts, or gallstones, that occur in the gallbladders
of many species of mammal are known as bezoars, which translates from Arabic
as "against poison". Bezoars have had a semi-magical reputation and a long
Eastern and Western history of medical use. The stones are oval-shaped,
yellow, green or brown in colour, and brittle with a bitter taste, their
main ingredients are cholesterol and other fatty acids, amino acids, and
minerals.
PARTS USED
Whole gallstones.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Not known
ACTIONS
Anticonvulsant; helps reduce
fever; sedative; increases urine production.
MEDICINAL USE
Chinese and Unani physicians use
cattle bezoars, as Western medicine used to, for their effect on fevers, swollen sore throats, carbuncles, abscesses, other "hot" complaints, and also for spasms.
PREPARATIONS
Powder, pills.
CAUTION
Avoid in pregnancy.
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