Pipefish – 1 lb (454 g)

Pipefish, known in Chinese as 海龙 (Hǎilóng) and scientifically as Syngnathus, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Pipefish carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Pipefish helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Pipefish provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Pipefish has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Pipefish, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This item is also known as Shuiyan (Water Goose) and Haishe (Sea Snake). It is the whole animal of the Syngnathidae family species: Solenognathus hardwickii (Gray), Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bloch), or Syngnathus acus Linnaeus. It is mainly produced in Guangdong, Hainan, Fujian, and other regions. It can be caught year-round. After catching, Solenognathus hardwickii and Syngnathoides biaculeatus are processed by removing the skin membrane and internal organs, then cleaned and sun-dried; Syngnathus acus is directly cleaned and sun-dried.

[Properties] Taste: sweet and salty; nature: warm. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

[Actions] Tonifies the Kidney and strengthens Yang, disperses nodules and reduces swelling.

[Applications] 1. Used for Kidney Yang deficiency causing impotence, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, infertility, and asthmatic breathing. For impotence, spermatorrhea, and infertility due to Kidney Yang deficiency, it can be combined with Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo), Cuscuta (Tu Si Zi), and Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong). For asthmatic breathing due to Kidney failing to grasp Qi, it is often combined with walnut kernel powder.
2. Used for masses and accumulations (zhengjia), scrofula, goiter, carbuncles and sores with swelling and toxicity, traumatic swelling and pain. For masses and accumulations, it can be taken alone as powder or combined with Sparganium (San Leng), Curcuma (E Zhu), and turtle shell (Bie Jia). For scrofula and goiter with deficiency, it is often combined with seaweed (Hai Zao) and kelp (Kun Bu). For carbuncles and sores with swelling and toxicity, it is applied externally as powder. For traumatic injuries, it is decocted and taken internally. For external bleeding from trauma, the herb can be calcined to charcoal, ground into powder, and sprinkled externally. Additionally, combined with centipede (Wu Gong) and pangolin (Chuan Shan Jia), roasted and powdered, taken with yellow wine, it can treat breast cancer.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 3–9 g; or incorporated into pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount, powdered and applied topically; or calcined to charcoal, powdered and sprinkled.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in Yin deficiency with fire excess, external pathogenic factors, and pregnancy.

[Modern Research] 1. Chemical constituents: Syngnathus acus contains cholesterol, Δ4-cholesten-3-one, and N-phenyl-β-phenylamine. The lipid-soluble fraction contains large amounts of free fatty acids, mainly myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid.
2. Pharmacological effects: Sea dragon exhibits sex hormone-like effects; its infusion can excite isolated uterus, enhancing contraction strength and frequency. Ethanol extracts of various sea dragons can increase sperm count and motility in mice to varying degrees, with Solenognathus hardwickii and Syngnathoides biaculeatus showing significant effects. Sea dragon gelatin significantly increases thymus weight and white blood cell count in mice. The aqueous extract of Syngnathoides biaculeatus promotes proliferation of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Its aqueous extract also inhibits human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), esophageal carcinoma (ECA 109), lung squamous carcinoma, and HCT 8 colorectal cancer cells to varying degrees.
3. Clinical reports: Impotence—capsules made from sea dragon and centipede in a 3:1 ratio (each capsule equivalent to 0.5 g raw herb), 4 capsules per dose, twice daily, for 15 days per course. Among 75 cases treated, 61 were recently cured, 8 improved, and 6 ineffective. [Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1996, (2):69]