Bear Gall(Xiong dan)

Xiongdan is the dried bile of Ursus arctos Linnaeus,Selenarctos thibetanus Cuvier,pertaining to Ursidae.The best is from Yunnan,known as"Yundan".And the one from Heilongjiang and Jilin Province is known as "Dongdan",which is of the largest production.The best seasons to get it is in summer and fall.After taken from the body,it is dried.After the gallbladder membrane is removed,it is ground into powder.Nowadays,the bile is taken from live animal by drainage,and then dried.This product is known as "Xiongdan Powder".

Medicinal Properties:Bitter and cold.

Meridian Tropism:Liver,gallbladder and heart meridians.

Medicinal Efficacies: Clear heat,relieve toxicity;extinguish wind,stop spasms;clear liver,and improve vision.

Usage and Dosage:0.25-0.5g.Usually it is used in pills and powder,not in decoction.Also it is used externally.