TCM Properties

Traditional Use

Calms the spirit and relieves agitation - Long Chi is used for insomnia, fright, dream-disturbed sleep, and palpitations when heat and agitation disturb the Heart spirit.
Clears heat and settles convulsive disorders - traditional indication extends to epilepsy, spasms, and restless irritability when Liver wind or heat agitation is part of the presentation.
Anchors and quiets rather than richly nourishes - compared with sweeter spirit-calming herbs, Long Chi works through a heavy, settling mineral action.

Long Chi is closely related in therapeutic family to Long Gu, but the teeth material is classically emphasized more for fright, palpitations, and convulsive unrest than for strongly securing leakage.
The herb is typically pre-crushed and decocted first because of its heavy fossil nature.

Long Chi with Yuan Zhi, Fu Shen, and Ren Shen - classic spirit-calming pairing logic for fright palpitations and insomnia.
Convulsion-settling combinations with Gou Teng, Tian Ma, or Niu Huang - traditional strategy when agitation is accompanied by wind or seizure activity.

TCM Wiki describes Long Chi as astringent and cool, entering the Heart and Liver channels, with actions of clearing heat, relieving restlessness, relieving convulsion, and inducing tranquilization.
Classical teaching places Long Chi among the heavier mineral settling substances used when the treatment priority is to anchor disturbed shen and calm convulsive agitation.

Direct indexed modern literature on Long Chi itself is sparse, and most contemporary publications focus on the related fossil medicine Long Gu or on material-identification issues rather than on herb-specific clinical evidence.
Because of that evidence gap, modern claims for Long Chi should remain conservative and anchored mainly in traditional use.

As a fossil mineral substance, Long Chi should be sourced carefully because contamination, substitution, and heavy-matter quality issues are more relevant than for ordinary botanicals.
Long Chi is a settling adjunct, not a stand-alone treatment for seizures, insomnia, or serious psychiatric symptoms.