Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Magnetitum |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 磁石 · Ci Shi |
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| Medicinal Part | Minerals |
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| Efficacy Category | Mind-calming |
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| Botanical Origin | The oxide mineral magnetite, primarily composed of Fe3O4. Among the merchandise, attracting-iron one is ‘Huo ci shi (living ci shi)’; disattracting-iron one is ‘Si ci shi (dead ci shi)’. |
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| Nature & Flavour | Salty; Cold |
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| Channels Entered | Heart, Liver, Kidney |
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What Is Ci Shi?
Ci Shi (Magnetite) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Liaoning, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Anhui.
Nature & Flavour: Salty; Cold
Channels Entered: Heart, Liver, Kidney
Ci Shi: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Magnetitum
Botanical Origin
The oxide mineral magnetite, primarily composed of Fe3O4. Among the merchandise, attracting-iron one is ‘Huo ci shi (living ci shi)’; disattracting-iron one is ‘Si ci shi (dead ci shi)’.
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Liaoning, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Anhui.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material can attract iron and is grayish-black, with a fractured surface that is dense and lustrous.
Macroscopic Features
Crystal is octahedron, dodecahedron; surface of crystal has strips. Lump-shaped aggregate, iron-black or dark indigo blue. Streak marks are black, with metallic luster, opaque, no cleavage, fracture is not smooth; 5.5~6.5 hardness, 5.16~5.18g/cm3 density. Strongly magnetic. Brittle texture; faint odor; mild taste.
Traditional TCM Properties
Salty; ColdHeartLiverKidney
Traditional Functions
Calms the liver and subdues yang, calms the spirit, sharpens hearing and brightens the eyes, promotes qi absorption to calm panting. Apply to dizziness, blurred vision, deafness, tinnitus, fright, insomnia, dyspnea due to kidney deficiency.
How Ci Shi Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Ci Shi is classified among the Mind-calming herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Ci Shi are traditionally used for:
Dizziness & VertigoTinnitus
Classical Formulas Containing Ci Shi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ci Shi? Are Dai Zhe Shi and Long Gu the same?
Official Ci Shi (磁石) is the oxide mineral magnetite, mainly ferrosoferric oxide (Fe₃O₄). The pharmacopoeial name is Magnetitum. Dai Zhe Shi is bitter-cold: calms the Liver, subdues yang, heavily settles and descends counterflow, cools Blood and stops bleeding. Long Gu is sweet-astringent and neutral: settles fright, calms the spirit, calms the Liver, subdues yang, constrains and secures. Write Ci Shi. Spleen-Stomach vacuity should not take it long.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Ci Shi?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ci Shi is salty and cold, enters the Liver, Heart and Kidney channels, and acts to settle fright and calm the spirit, calm the Liver and subdue yang, sharpen hearing and brighten the eyes, receive qi and calm panting. It is used for fright palpitations and insomnia, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus and deafness, and Kidney-vacuity panting. Salty and cold, it suits Liver yang harassing upward and Kidney-vacuity panting—not long use in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.
How do you choose raw versus calcined magnetite? Can Dai Zhe Shi replace it?
Raw mineral is stronger for settling fright, calming the spirit, calming the Liver and subduing yang. Calcining and quenching makes it brittle and easier to decoct, and leans to sharpening hearing and brightening the eyes. Hematite leans to descending counterflow and stopping bleeding; it cannot replace receiving qi and calming panting by equal weight. Commercial magnetite powder is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Ci Shi
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Ci Shi.
Read the Ci Shi Guide →
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.
