Carbonized Human Hair (Xue Yu Tan) possesses the functions of arresting bleeding and dispelling stasis, promoting tissue regeneration and healing sores, and inducing diuresis to treat strangury. It is primarily used to treat bleeding symptoms such as hemoptysis, epistaxis, hematuria, and metrorrhagia, as well as conditions like traumatic bleeding and non-healing ulcers and sores.
1. Arrest Bleeding and Dispel Stasis
Carbonized Human Hair is produced by carbonizing human hair. Its carbonized structure can adsorb blood components and promote platelet aggregation, making it applicable for various bleeding symptoms. For hemoptysis due to lung heat, it can be combined with Cogongrass Rhizome (Bai Mao Gen); for hematemesis due to stomach heat, it is often used with Carbonized Rhubarb (Da Huang Tan); for traumatic bleeding, it can be applied topically directly. This effect is related to the porous adsorbent properties of the carbonaceous material and the release of calcium ions.
2. Promote Tissue Regeneration and Heal Sores
Carbonized Human Hair can promote the growth of granulation tissue in wounds and has an astringent effect on refractory wounds such as chronic ulcers and bedsores. When used, it is often combined with Calamine (Lu Gan Shi) and Calcined Gypsum (Duan Shi Gao) to prepare a powder for topical application. It forms a protective membrane by adsorbing wound exudate and simultaneously stimulates fibroblast proliferation to accelerate healing.
3. Induce Diuresis and Treat Strangury
Carbonized Human Hair can alleviate symptoms of difficult and painful urination and hematuria caused by damp-heat in the lower jiao. It is often combined with diuretic herbs like Talcum (Hua Shi) and Plantago Seed (Che Qian Zi). The mechanism may be related to the adsorption of inflammatory mediators in the urinary tract by the carbon particles. However, it should be used with caution in patients with renal insufficiency to avoid aggravating electrolyte imbalances.
4. Detoxify and Reduce Swelling
Carbonized Human Hair can be applied topically to treat insect and snake bites, as well as boils and other toxic swellings. It alleviates local redness, swelling, heat, and pain by adsorbing toxins. Ancient medical records document its use with Realgar (Xiong Huang) to treat virulent toxins. Modern research suggests its porous structure can adsorb certain biological toxins.
5. Regulate Menses and Arrest Vaginal Discharge
Carbonized Human Hair has a regulating effect on excessive menstruation, metrorrhagia, and reddish-white leukorrhea due to blood heat. It is often combined with Carbonized Petiolus Trachycarpi (Zong Lü Tan) and Carbonized Madder Root (Qian Cao Tan) to form hemostatic formulas. The carbonaceous material can adsorb fibrinolytic enzymes at bleeding sites in the endometrium. However, pattern differentiation and appropriate combination are necessary to avoid trapping stasis.
Usage Precautions:
For individuals with yin deficiency and blood heat, it is advisable to combine it with cooling blood herbs like Rehmannia Root (Sheng Di) and Moutan Bark (Dan Pi) to avoid causing dryness and heat from prolonged solo use.
For traumatic external use, strict wound debridement and disinfection should be performed first. For infected wounds, it should be combined with antibiotic treatment.
The typical internal dosage is 3-10 grams. It should be wrapped during decoction or taken as a powder.
Store in a dry place to prevent loss of potency.
For daily use alongside administration, citrus fruits rich in Vitamin C can be paired to promote iron absorption, but concurrent consumption with tea should be avoided as it may impair iron utilization.
