Gold Sheet
- Chinese
- 金箔
- Pinyin
- Jin Bo
- Latin
- Aurum Foliatum
Known in TCM as Jin Bo (金箔), this acrid and bitter, neutral herb enters the Heart and Liver. Traditionally, it calms the Spirit and settles fright - Jin Bo is classically used in severe palpitations, agitation, delirium, panic, or emotional shock when a heavy mineral anchor is needed, most often applied for palpitations, epilepsy, and insomnia. Modern research has identified Elemental among its active constituents.
Part used: Gold
Also Known As
Latin: Aurum Foliatum | Pinyin: Jin Bo | Chinese: 金箔
TCM Properties
- Taste
- acrid, bitter
- Temperature
- neutral
- Channels
- Heart, Liver
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Calms the Spirit and settles fright - Jin Bo is classically used in severe palpitations, agitation, delirium, panic, or emotional shock when a heavy mineral anchor is needed.
- Subdues Yang and helps control convulsive heat patterns - it appears in emergency pill tradition when Liver wind, seizures, or phlegm-fire disturb the orifices.
- Resolves toxicity and supports sores - gold leaf can be ground for external use or incorporated into compound prescriptions for toxic lesions.
Secondary Actions
- Jin Bo is usually a pill coating, layered powder ingredient, or finely ground adjunct rather than a decocted stand-alone medicine.
- The leaf form is safer and more workable than raw gold, but classical sources still warn against excessive dosing or prolonged use.
Classic Formulas
- An Gong Niu Huang Wan - Jin Bo is the famous outer coating and spirit-settling mineral adjunct in this emergency closed-heat formula.
- Zi Xue Dan - classical commentary describes gold leaf water or layered incorporation to help settle agitation and descend phlegm-fire.
- Jin Bo Zhen Xin Wan - a traditional spirit-calming pill built around gold leaf's heavy settling action.
Classical References
- Me & Qi and TCM Wiki both describe Jin Bo as acrid, bitter, and neutral, entering the Heart and Liver to calm the Spirit, settle fright, and resolve toxicity.
- Classical pharmacopoeia caution that the raw metal remains slightly toxic even after processing, so the leaf form reduces but does not fully erase safety concerns.
- Authentication matters because copper-alloy imitation leaf can mimic the appearance of true gold while changing both safety and medicinal quality.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Elemental gold in ultra-thin hammered leaf form - the defining medicinal material
- Trace metallic impurities - the main modern safety concern when the material is poorly refined or adulterated
- High-surface-area leaf matrix - the processed physical form that differentiates Jin Bo from bulk native gold
Studied Effects
- Direct biomedical research on Jin Bo itself is sparse, and most modern discussion of oral gold exposure comes from toxicology rather than traditional herb trials.
- A 2018 review of human exposure noted that gold is not a nutrient and that risk depends heavily on form and contamination, supporting the classical insistence on refined medicinal-grade leaf instead of casual ingestion (PMID 31851875).
- A case report of lichenoid dermatitis after ingestion of gold-containing liquor illustrates that oral gold exposure can still provoke mucocutaneous reactions in susceptible individuals, even when the source is not a classical TCM formula (PMID 9146563).
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Yang deficiency with sinking Qi, cold diarrhea, or marked middle-burner weakness
- Long-term or high-dose internal use
- Use of adulterated, decorative, or non-medicinal gold leaf
Cautions
- Jin Bo is a processed mineral adjunct, not a routine nutritional or culinary ingredient.
- The leaf form is safer than raw gold but classical sources still rate it as only cautiously acceptable in small amounts.
- Suspected metal allergy, contaminated sourcing, or unexplained mucocutaneous eruption are reasons to stop and reassess use.
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gold Sheet used for?
Gold Sheet is traditionally used to Calms the Spirit and settles fright - Jin Bo is classically used in severe palpitations, agitation, delirium, panic, or emotional shock when a heavy mineral anchor is needed., Subdues Yang and helps control convulsive heat patterns - it appears in emergency pill tradition when Liver wind, seizures, or phlegm-fire disturb the orifices., Resolves toxicity and supports sores - gold leaf can be ground for external use or incorporated into compound prescriptions for toxic lesions.. Research has investigated its effects on: Direct biomedical research on Jin Bo itself is sparse, and most modern discussion of oral gold exposure comes from toxicology rather than traditional herb trials.; A 2018 review of human exposure noted that gold is not a nutrient and that risk depends heavily on form and contamination, supporting the classical insistence on refined medicinal-grade leaf instead of casual ingestion (PMID 31851875)..
What are other names for Gold Sheet?
Gold Sheet is also known as Aurum. In TCM: 金箔 (Jin Bo); Aurum Foliatum.
Is Gold Sheet safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Gold Sheet during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Gold Sheet?
Gold Sheet should not be used in: Yang deficiency with sinking Qi, cold diarrhea, or marked middle-burner weakness; Long-term or high-dose internal use; Use of adulterated, decorative, or non-medicinal gold leaf. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.