Cuttlebone Hai Piao Xiao 海螵蛸 Dried Cuttlefish Bone 500g Natural Sun Dried Whole Form

Cuttlebone, known in TCM as Hai Piao Xiao (海螵蛸), is the dried internal shell of cuttlefish, typically identified as Sepiella maindroni or Sepia esculenta. This 500g pack contains whole natural cuttlefish bone pieces that have been cleaned and sun dried. In TCM theory it is salty and astringent in flavor and slightly warm in nature, traditionally associated with the spleen and kidney channels. It is commonly kept as a traditional herbal ingredient and is also popular as a natural gnawing and calcium source for pet birds and reptiles. Store in a cool dry place.

Key Selling Points

• Whole natural cuttlefish bone in its original form, not processed into powder
• Known in TCM as Hai Piao Xiao (海螵蛸), a classic traditional marine material
• Naturally sun dried with no added ingredients
• 500g bulk pack sourced from Hainan, China
• Widely used in traditional herbal practice and as a natural pet gnawing supply

Quality & Sensory

Typically white to off white with a lightweight, porous, chalky texture. The surface is hard and slightly rough, and the inner layer is softer and powdery. It has little to no noticeable aroma and a mild salty taste if tasted.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Supplied as a traditional TCM herbal ingredient for decoction use under practitioner guidance
• Placed in bird cages as a natural gnawing and beak maintenance item
• Offered to reptiles and small pets as a natural calcium source
• Ground at home for traditional external folk applications
• Stored as a long shelf life pantry herbal material

Traditional Uses

In TCM practice, Hai Piao Xiao is traditionally associated with astringent and stomach supporting functions and is often included in classical decoctions, usually combined with herbs such as Zhe Bei Mu or Pu Huang depending on the formula. It has also long been ground into powder for external folk use. Because it is a marine material, it is traditionally rinsed and dried before preparation.

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