Zoological substancesHeat-clearingBubali Cornu

Shui Niu Jiao (Water Buffalo Horn)

Q: What is Shui Niu Jiao? Are rhinoceros horn and antelope horn the same?

Official Shui Niu Jiao (水牛角) is the horn of Bubalus bubalis . The pharmacopoeial name is Bubali Cornu . It is often used as a substitute for rhinoceros horn, with slightly weaker force. Antelope horn is salty-cold: calms the Liver, extinguishes wind, clears the Liver and brightens the eyes. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Shui Niu Jiao. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold and pregnancy.

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Shui Niu Jiao?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Shui Niu Jiao is bitter and cold , enters the Heart and Liver channels, and acts to clear heat, cool Blood, resolve toxin and settle fright . It is used for warm disease with high fever, loss of consciousness with delirious speech, macules and rashes, vomiting of blood and epistaxis, fright wind, and mania. Bitter and cold, it suits Blood-heat with moving Blood—not Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold, or absence of heat.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a Blood-cooling tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 15–30 g , filed and first-decocted for more than 3 hours, or filed and taken with the decoction. It is not a four-season “buffalo-horn Blood-cooling tea.” Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold only loosens further as it cools. High fever is an emergency; it does not replace hospital assessment.

Q: How do you choose and store Shui Niu Jiao?

Choose horn slices or shavings, gray-brown or gray-black, with longitudinal striations, hard texture, a faint fishy odor and a bland taste . Moldy, dirty or non-horn lots are discarded. Store dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Shui Niu Jiao; do not replace clearing heat, cooling Blood, resolving toxin and settling fright with antelope horn by equal weight.

A practical guide to Shui Niu Jiao: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

View Herb Profile →

Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Bubali Cornu
Chinese Name & Pinyin	水牛角 · Shui Niu Jiao
Medicinal Part	Zoological substances
The herb	Shui Niu Jiao is the horn of the water buffalo. Decoct it first. Ling Yang Jiao is a different official drug. Use legal water buffalo horn only.
Nature and channels	Bitter, cold. Enters the Heart and Liver. Bitter cold clears heat, resolves toxin, cools the blood, and settles fright.
Pharmacopoeia line	Clears heat and resolves toxin. Cools the blood. Settles fright. Used for warm-disease high fever, delirious speech, macules and rashes, vomiting of blood and nosebleed, fright-wind, and mania.
Pattern cues	Warm-disease high fever. Delirious speech. Macules. Vomiting of blood and nosebleed. Fright-wind.
In this article	Shui Niu Jiao versus Ling Yang Jiao and Sheng Di Huang. Horn versus concentrated powder. Why it is decocted first. Why high fever needs a clinic. Who should skip it.

What Is Shui Niu Jiao?

Shui Niu Jiao (水牛角; Shuǐ Niú Jiǎo; Latin: Bubali Cornu; English: water buffalo horn) is the horn of Bubalus bubalis Linnaeus. In Chinese medicine it is a heat-clearing, blood-cooling herb. It is bitter and cold, enters the Heart and Liver channels, and its core actions are to clear heat and resolve toxin, cool the blood, and settle fright. Shaved pieces must be decocted first for a long time. The usual amount is 15–30 g. Concentrated powder uses a much smaller dose.

The pharmacopoeia uses water buffalo horn in place of banned rhinoceros horn. Use qualified water buffalo horn only. Do not use or buy rhinoceros horn. It is not Ling Yang Jiao. Antelope horn is salty-cold. Calming the Liver, extinguishing wind, clearing the Liver, and brightening the eyes are more specific, and the dose is small. Water buffalo horn is bitter-cold. Cooling the blood, resolving toxin, and settling fright are its work. Kitchen or craft horn does not convert to the piece. Warm-disease high fever, delirious speech, and macules need a clinic first. A cold weak spleen is a poor match.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Warm-disease high fever — delirious speech, macules and rashes; seek care
Blood-heat vomiting of blood, nosebleed — seek care
Fright-wind, mania — seek care

Bitter and cold, it is not a daily “fever buffalo horn.” Clearing when there is no heat-toxin injures middle yang.

When heat enters the nutritive and blood, high fever, macules, and vomiting of blood are common. Shui Niu Jiao is bitter-cold. It clears, cools the blood, and settles fright, which is why it appears in heat-clearing, blood-cooling formulas. It clears more than it supports. Loose stools and fear of cold get worse if more is added.

Shui Niu Jiao is not a catch-all fever or blood-cooling horn. In middle-cold diarrhea, or when there is no heat-toxin, using it alone can cool and injure the middle. Whether it belongs in a formula should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Shui Niu Jiao: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Bubali Cornu

Botanical Origin

The horn of Bubalus bubalis Linnaeus.(Bovidae). After harvested the horn, boiled in water, removed the cork inside the horn, then dry.

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the areas south of the Yangtze River of China.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material has dense lines.

Macroscopic Features

Curved cone shape, base is square or slightly triangular in shape, center is hollow, one side surface has numerous parallel indented lines, apex is sharp. Black-brown color, hard texture, cut surface has thin and unobvious lines, fishy odor, often the apex portion is used.

3 Authentic Regions and Quality Identification

Best Sourcing: High-quality horns usually come from water buffalo raised in the southern regions of China.
Quality Markers: A premium horn slice is dark brown or black with dense, fine textures. It feels hard and solid, with a grayish-white cross-section. It has a slightly fishy smell but a very mild taste.
Spotting Fakes: It is sometimes confused with horns from other cattle (like yellow cattle). However, other cattle horns tend to have a looser texture, rougher patterns, and a noticeably different smell compared to authentic Shui Niu Jiao (Water Buffalo Horn).

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Bitter, Salty; ColdHeartLiverStomach

1. 2 Historical Herbology Records

Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians): Noted its use for fighting off external pathogenic fevers and headaches.
Xin Xiu Ben Cao (Newly Revised Materia Medica): Highlighted its ability to manage severe epidemic febrile diseases.
Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica): Added that it helps calm childhood convulsions and clear severe heat toxicity.
De Pei Ben Cao: Mentioned classic herbal pairings, such as using it with Lian Qiao (Forsythia) to clear blood heat, or with Sheng Di (Rehmannia Root) to cool the blood and calm an agitated mind.

2. 3 Evolution of Medicinal Understanding

Shifting Focus: Over time, some TCM doctors focused on its ability to fight external fevers, while others highlighted its power to clear internal "blood heat" to settle a restless spirit.
Who It's For: Practitioners generally agree it is best for "excess heat" conditions. It should be used very carefully—or completely avoided—by people with a weak, cold constitution. The golden rule is to use it to clear the heat without making the body too cold and damaging its vital energy.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Clears heat, cools blood, calms fright, resolves toxin. Apply to typhoid epidemic, heat into the blood, fright and madness, vexation, delirium, spot rashes, yellowish skin, hematemesis, epistaxis, hematockezia, swelling ulcer toxin.

1. 1 Primary Focus: Clearing Blood Heat

Shui Niu Jiao (Water Buffalo Horn) is traditionally used to clear intense, excessive heat from the blood level.

Common Symptoms: It addresses high fever, restlessness, night sweats, dry mouth, skin rashes, and even delirium caused by heat.
Herbal Pairings: It is frequently combined with cooling herbs like Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root), or Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower) to enhance its blood-cooling effects while protecting the body's natural energy.
Caution: Individuals with a weak or "cold" constitution (e.g., those who fear cold, have cold limbs, or experience loose stools) should avoid using this herb, as its cold nature can worsen their condition.

2. 2 Secondary Focus: Settling Fright and Convulsions

This herb is also effective at calming the mind and relieving spasms triggered by extreme heat.

Common Symptoms: It is used for childhood convulsions or delirium during high fevers, where extreme heat agitates the nervous system.
Herbal Pairings: It is often paired with wind-extinguishing herbs like Gou Teng (Uncaria Vine), Jiang Can (Silkworm), or Ling Yang Jiao (Antelope Horn).
Caution: It should not be used for spasms or tremors caused by Qi or blood deficiency, as it only targets heat-induced conditions.

3. 3 Common Herbal Pairings: Classic Combinations

A classic and powerful pairing is Shui Niu Jiao (Water Buffalo Horn) with Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root).

How They Work Together: Shui Niu Jiao focuses on forcefully draining excess heat, while Sheng Di Huang cools the blood and nourishes Yin (fluids). Together, they clear the heat without drying out the body.
Note: This combination requires professional diagnosis and is strictly for patterns involving both blood heat and fluid depletion.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. 1 Main Chemical Components

Key Ingredients: Modern analysis shows that Shui Niu Jiao (Water Buffalo Horn) mainly contains keratin, amino acids, and peptides, along with trace amounts of cholesterol.
Lab Observations: In test tubes and animal models, some of these components show activity. However, there is currently a lack of solid human clinical trials to confirm these exact effects in people. Most human observations involve formulas where it is mixed with many other herbs.

2. 2 Modern Pharmacological Research Directions

Cooling Heat: Modern science mainly focuses on how it might help clear heat-related symptoms in the body.
Current Status: While some animal studies show reduced heat symptoms after using horn extracts, these are just baseline studies. We still need more human research to validate its actual clinical power.

3. 3 Limitations of Modern Research

Lab vs. Human Body: A successful result in a mouse or a petri dish doesn't mean it works exactly the same way in a complex human system.
Extracts vs. Whole Herb: Labs often use isolated extracts, which are very different in dose and structure from brewing traditional Shui Niu Jiao (Water Buffalo Horn) slices in a medicinal tea.
Inconsistent Methods: Different studies use different dosages and preparation methods, making it hard to draw a single, universal scientific conclusion.
The Power of Synergy: In TCM, the herb works because all of its compounds act together. Isolating just one active ingredient doesn't give you the full picture of how the whole horn functions.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. 2 Common Ground

Both Shui Niu Jiao (Water Buffalo Horn) and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) are cold-natured herbs used to clear blood heat, soothe restlessness, and treat heat-induced skin rashes.

2. 3 Core Differences

Nature and Action: Shui Niu Jiao is salty, heavy, and descending—it aggressively drains excess heat and calms the spirit. Sheng Di Huang is sweet and nourishing—it cools the blood while restoring lost fluids.
Best Used For: Choose Shui Niu Jiao for acute, high-heat emergencies (delirium, spasms). Choose Sheng Di Huang for lingering heat that has damaged the body's hydration and fluids (dry mouth, night sweats).
Contraindications: Shui Niu Jiao is harmful to cold constitutions. Sheng Di Huang is rich and cloying, meaning it can burden a weak digestive system.

3. 4 One-Sentence Summary

Shui Niu Jiao forcefully drains excess heat and settles convulsions, while Sheng Di Huang gently cools the blood and nourishes Yin fluids.

Classical Formulas Containing Shui Niu Jiao

An Gong Niu Huang Wan

安宮牛黃丸

Formula CategoryOrifice-Opening FormulasPrimary PatternHeart FirePrimary FunctionClear heat, open the orifices, cool blood, resolve phlegmRelated ConditionsFever·Headache·Anxiety Restlessness·Poor Sleep Quality

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. 1 Home Recipes and Teas

These are low-dose, mild options for adults without cold constitutions:

Heat-Clearing Drink: Combine 3g of Shui Niu Jiao (Water Buffalo Horn) slices, 5g of Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower), and 3g of Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber). Brew with boiling water for 10 minutes. Good for mild summer heat or dry mouth (use 1-2 times a week).
Calming Tea: Combine 1g of Shui Niu Jiao (Water Buffalo Horn) powder, 3g of Suan Zao Ren (Spine Date Seed), and 3g of Bai He (Lily Bulb). Brew with warm water for 15 minutes. Good for mild heat-induced sleeplessness.
Caution: These are medicinal ingredients. Do not use if you have a weak stomach or frequent diarrhea.

2. 2 Preparation and Decocting

Raw Slices: Because the raw horn is extremely hard, it must be boiled alone for 30-60 minutes before adding other herbs to extract the active compounds.
Processed Powder: The fine powder does not need boiling; it can be stirred directly into warm water. You cannot substitute the dosage of slices directly for powder.

3. 3 Dosage and Usage Cycle

Dosage: Clinical doses of slices are high (10-30g). Home dietary doses should be kept very low (1-3g).
Duration: Do not use this herb continuously for more than 1 week. Prolonged use of cold herbs will damage your digestive system.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. 1 Who Should Avoid It?

Cold Constitutions: Anyone who naturally runs cold, has cold hands/feet, or experiences frequent loose stools.
Vulnerable Populations: Pregnant or nursing women, young children, and the elderly should avoid it unless prescribed by a doctor.
Liver/Kidney Issues: As it must be metabolized, it may add burden to impaired organs.

2. 2 Drug Interactions and Dietary Notes

Medication Interactions: It may interact with anticoagulants (increasing bleeding risk), sedatives (enhancing drowsiness), or blood pressure medications. Always consult a doctor if taking prescriptions.
Diet: Avoid cold, raw, greasy, or spicy foods while taking this herb, as they can block absorption or worsen heat symptoms.

3. 3 Adverse Reactions and Overdose Risks

Side Effects: Overuse can cause digestive upset (bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea) or allergic reactions (rash, itching).
Overdose: Excessive use may cause extreme chills, fatigue, and cold extremities.
Action Plan: If you experience severe allergic reactions, continuous vomiting, breathing difficulties, or a rapid worsening of symptoms, stop immediately and seek emergency medical care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shui Niu Jiao

What is Shui Niu Jiao? Are rhinoceros horn and antelope horn the same?

Official Shui Niu Jiao (水牛角) is the horn of Bubalus bubalis. The pharmacopoeial name is Bubali Cornu. It is often used as a substitute for rhinoceros horn, with slightly weaker force. Antelope horn is salty-cold: calms the Liver, extinguishes wind, clears the Liver and brightens the eyes. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Shui Niu Jiao. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold and pregnancy.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Shui Niu Jiao?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Shui Niu Jiao is bitter and cold, enters the Heart and Liver channels, and acts to clear heat, cool Blood, resolve toxin and settle fright. It is used for warm disease with high fever, loss of consciousness with delirious speech, macules and rashes, vomiting of blood and epistaxis, fright wind, and mania. Bitter and cold, it suits Blood-heat with moving Blood—not Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold, or absence of heat.

How do you choose raw versus concentrated powder? Can antelope horn replace it?

Raw horn should be filed and first-decocted long. Concentrated powder may be taken with the decoction and is purer. Antelope horn leans to calming the Liver and extinguishing wind; it cannot replace cooling Blood and resolving toxin by equal weight. Commercial buffalo-horn tea is not equal-weight pieces.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a Blood-cooling tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 15–30 g, filed and first-decocted for more than 3 hours, or filed and taken with the decoction. It is not a four-season “buffalo-horn Blood-cooling tea.” Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold only loosens further as it cools. High fever is an emergency; it does not replace hospital assessment.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold. Use caution in pregnancy. Stop if abdominal distension or nausea appears. High fever with loss of consciousness and bleeding need immediate medical care.

Can Shui Niu Jiao clear heat, cool Blood, resolve toxin and settle fright?

It can help warm disease at the Blood level with high fever and bleeding. It is often used as a rhinoceros-horn substitute in a Qing Ying Tang type modification. It clears heat, cools Blood, resolves toxin and settles fright—not a specific for every fever or every bleeding.

Can Shui Niu Jiao be drunk daily as a Blood-cooling, toxin or fright tea?

Blood heat may enter a short formula; absence of heat only loosens further as it cools. “Buffalo horn must cool Blood” does not replace emergency care. Clearing heat, cooling Blood and resolving toxin should name 15–30 g first-decocted.

How do you choose among Shui Niu Jiao, antelope horn, raw rehmannia, moutan bark and rhinoceros horn?

Water buffalo horn is bitter-cold: clears heat, cools Blood, resolves toxin and settles fright—warm disease at the Blood level, often substituting for rhinoceros horn. Antelope horn is salty-cold: calms the Liver, extinguishes wind, clears the Liver and brightens the eyes—Liver yang and fright wind. Raw rehmannia is sweet-cold: clears heat, cools Blood, nourishes yin and generates fluid—Blood heat with yin injury. Moutan bark is bitter-acrid and slightly cold: clears heat, cools Blood, moves Blood and disperses stasis—Blood-heat stasis macules. Rhinoceros horn is banned; use water buffalo horn instead. Blood-level heat favors Shui Niu Jiao; Liver yang favors antelope horn; yin injury favors raw rehmannia; stasis macules favor moutan bark. They may be paired after pattern differentiation; Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold forbids large Shui Niu Jiao and raw rehmannia.

Which herbs is Shui Niu Jiao combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Warm disease at the Blood level joins raw rehmannia, moutan bark and scrophularia in a Qing Ying Tang or Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang type modification (rhinoceros horn is banned). Write Shui Niu Jiao 15–30 g first-decocted; do not replace cooling Blood with antelope horn by equal weight.

How do you choose and store Shui Niu Jiao?

Choose horn slices or shavings, gray-brown or gray-black, with longitudinal striations, hard texture, a faint fishy odor and a bland taste. Moldy, dirty or non-horn lots are discarded. Store dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Shui Niu Jiao; do not replace clearing heat, cooling Blood, resolving toxin and settling fright with antelope horn by equal weight.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.