Fish Otolith Yu Nao Shi Dried Fish Ear Stone Raw Herb for Culinary and Traditional Use

Fish Otolith, known in TCM as Yu Nao Shi (鱼脑石), is the dried ear stone of large yellow croaker, traditionally sourced from Larimichthys polyactis. This whole-form raw material is a classic Chinese herbal ingredient, traditionally associated with supporting the body's natural balance. In TCM theory it is considered salty in flavor. Suitable for culinary preparation and traditional herbal practice; not a substitute for medicine.

Key Selling Points

• Whole-form fish otolith, a traditional Chinese herbal material known as Yu Nao Shi (鱼脑石)
• Sourced from the ear stone of large yellow croaker, Larimichthys polyactis
• Sold as a raw edible agricultural product in whole natural form
• Traditionally used in Chinese folk herbal practice and culinary preparation
• Sealed storage with a 36-month shelf life when kept cool and dry

Quality & Sensory

Typically pale white to off-white in color with a hard, dense, stony texture and irregular rounded shape. The material is odorless or has a faint marine scent, with a salty mineral character when prepared in traditional ways.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Culinary preparation in traditional Chinese cooking
• Traditional herbal decoction practice under practitioner guidance
• Ground or processed for use in folk herbal formulas
• Stored as a long-term raw material for herbal shops

Traditional Uses

In TCM and Chinese folk tradition, fish otolith has long been valued as a mineral-animal material, traditionally associated with calming and supporting the body's natural equilibrium. It was historically prepared by grinding into powder or decocting with other herbs. Commonly paired in traditional formulas and used seasonally in folk practice, it remains a niche ingredient for herbal enthusiasts and practitioners.

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