Product description

After extracting the gallstones from the cattle's intestines they have to be washed thoroughly with cold water to remove blood clots, impurities etc. After washing they are dried for two to three weeks in a dark and well ventilated environment at a temperature of approx. 20 degrees Celsius. The stones have to be moved regularly for better drying and to avoid them sticking at each other. After full drying the stones are packed in hermetically sealed bags.  
In Chinese medicine ox gallstone (Niuhuang) is applied for the formula Angong Niuhuang Wan together with Coptis root (Huanglian), Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao), Musk (Shexiang), natural Indigo (Qingdai) and Honeysuckle Flower (Jinyinhua).

Quality and classification

Highest demand is for stones with the following features:

• yellow golden orange colour;
• stones with low specific weight;
• large stones;
• bili rubin content not less than 35%;

There is a demand for dark stones as well, but prices are considerably lower however.
Stones are traded in the following specifications:

• 100% whole stones
• 90% whole stones / 10% broken
• 80% whole stones / 20% broken
• 70% whole stones / 30% broken
• 60% whole stones / 40% broken
• 100% broken stones
• 100% ox gall powder

The stones have to have a natural smell of healthy, BSE free cattle. Liver stones, kidney stones, piping, moldy stones, blood stones, cholesterol stones and stones descending from other animals respectively   are separated