What Is Ox Bezoar?
Ox bezoar, also known as calculus bovis, cow bezoar, or ox gallstone, is one of the most prized animal-derived raw materials in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern pharmacognosy. It originates from the dried gallstone of Bos taurus domesticus Gmelin — the domesticated cattle species widely raised across East and Central Asia. For centuries, ox bezoar has served as a cornerstone ingredient in classical TCM formulas prescribed for high fever, convulsions, and toxic heat conditions.
A complete ox bezoar typically presents as a lightweight, oval-shaped stone with a golden to yellow-brown exterior that is fine, lustrous, and notably brittle. Its distinctive aromatic profile carries a slightly bitter taste followed by a subtle sweetness — sensory markers that experienced formulators and quality assessors use to distinguish genuine material from adulterants. Because natural whole ox bezoar is exceedingly rare and commands prices that surpass gold by weight, the market now includes both naturally sourced and in-vitro cultivated (ICCB) grades, each serving distinct supply chain and formulation needs.
At The Extract Factory, we supply multiple grades of ox bezoar tailored for pharmaceutical manufacturers, nutraceutical brands, TCM compounding houses, and international wholesale buyers seeking consistent, traceable raw material.
Product Specifications — Ox Bezoar (CP2015 Test Standard)
The following technical data reflects the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015 (CP2015) testing methodology and applies to our standard ox bezoar offering. These parameters help procurement teams and formulators evaluate whether the material meets their product development and regulatory requirements.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Bezoar (Ox Bezoar) |
| Synonyms | Calculus bovis, ox gallstone, cow bezoar |
| Latin Source | Bos taurus domesticus Gmelin |
| Botanical Part Used | Gallstone |
| Key Active Ingredient | Bilirubin |
| Appearance | Yellowish-brown oval gallstone |
| Assay (Total Bilirubin) | 25% – 32.86% |
| Total Ash Content | 5.3% |
| Moisture | 6.3% |
| Unconjugated Bilirubin | Conforms to standard |
| Cholic Acid Content | 4% – 11.69% |
| Production Technology | Natural dried / In vitro cultivation (ICCB) |
Ox Bezoar Grades Available
The global ox bezoar market segments material into four principal categories, each defined by origin, integrity, and intended use. Understanding these grades is essential for sourcing teams determining cost-performance balance.
| Grade | Description | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A — Natural Whole Bezoar | Intact, naturally formed gallstone with unbroken surface and full aromatic profile | Premium TCM formulas, high-value patent medicines, collection-grade raw material |
| Grade A1 — Natural Broken Bezoar | Naturally sourced gallstone fragments; retains original biochemical composition | Pharmaceutical intermediates, extract manufacturing, cost-optimized formulations |
| Grade B — Cultivated Whole Bezoar | Whole stone produced through in-vitro cultivation (ICCB) technology | Large-scale pharmaceutical production, standardized extracts, export markets |
| Grade B1 — Cultivated Broken Bezoar | ICCB-derived fragments suitable for powder processing and extraction | Bulk extract supply, nutraceutical ingredient manufacturing, wholesale distribution |
The Extract Factory maintains inventory across all four grades, enabling flexible order volumes from pilot batches to container-scale shipments.
Chemical Composition & Active Constituents
Ox bezoar is a biochemically complex material. Its therapeutic relevance stems from a synergistic blend of bile acids, pigments, lipids, minerals, and amino acids rather than a single isolated compound.
Bile Acid Profile
The principal bile acid fraction includes:
- Cholic acid — 5% to 11%
- Deoxycholic acid — approximately 2%
- Chenodeoxycholic acid (goose deoxycholic acid) — 0.6% to 1.7%, present as free acid and calcium salts
These bile acids contribute to ox bezoar's documented choleretic (bile-secretion-promoting) and hepatoprotective properties, making the material relevant for liver-support formulations and digestive health products.
Pigments & Lipids
- Bilirubin and its calcium salts — the primary assay marker and a potent endogenous antioxidant
- Cholesterol, ergosterol, lecithin, and fatty acids — structural and functional lipid components
- Vitamin D and SMC (sphingomyelin-ceramide) complexes — contribute to membrane-stabilizing activity
Minerals & Trace Elements
Copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc are naturally present, supporting ox bezoar's role in multi-mineral TCM preparations and its potential contribution to enzymatic cofactor functions.
Amino Acids & Carotenoids
Ox bezoar contains a spectrum of free amino acids including taurine, alanine, glycine, aspartic acid, arginine, leucine, and methionine, alongside carotenoid pigments. These constituents broaden its applicability in functional food and dietary supplement matrices where amino acid profiling is a formulation consideration.
Pharmacological Functions & Reported Benefits
While The Extract Factory supplies ox bezoar as a raw material and does not make clinical claims, the following functional categories are widely recognized in TCM literature and supported by pharmacological research on its constituent compounds:
Sedative, Analgesic & Antipyretic Activity
Ox bezoar has traditionally been employed to clear heat, resolve toxins, and calm convulsions. Its use in classical formulas for high fever with delirium, pediatric convulsions, and manic states reflects these properties. Modern research on bilirubin and bile acid fractions has explored neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory mechanisms consistent with these traditional applications.
Cardiovascular Support
Studies on bile acid constituents have demonstrated myocardial protective effects, including resistance to ischemia-related injury. Additionally, ox bezoar-derived compounds have been investigated for anti-arrhythmic potential, peripheral vasodilation, and coronary artery modulation — areas of interest for cardiovascular-focused nutraceutical development.
Hepatoprotective & Choleretic Effects
The bile acid and bilirubin content supports bile secretion and may help protect hepatocytes from toxic insult. This makes ox bezoar a logical ingredient for liver-support supplements and hepatoprotective TCM combinations.
Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant & Immune Modulation
Bilirubin is a well-documented endogenous antioxidant. Combined with the anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties attributed to bile acid derivatives, ox bezoar contributes to formulations targeting oxidative stress, immune resilience, and respiratory support — including its historical role in viral fever adjunct therapy.
Expectorant & Respiratory Support
Traditional use includes phlegm dispersion and cough suppression, with formulations combining ox bezoar with herbs such as honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and scutellaria (Scutellaria baicalensis) for viral upper respiratory conditions.
Industry Applications of Ox Bezoar
Ox bezoar is not limited to traditional medicine. Its diverse bioactive profile opens doors across multiple commercial sectors:
| Industry | Application Examples |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | Raw material for antipyretic, detoxifying, and cardioprotective patent medicines; component in classical TCM formulas such as Angong Niuhuang Wan |
| Nutraceuticals & Dietary Supplements | Liver-support capsules, antioxidant blends, immune-modulating complexes |
| Traditional Medicine Compounding | External-use preparations for sore throat, oral ulceration, skin ulceration (often combined with musk, pearl, borneol) |
| Functional Food & Beverage | Specialty health tonics, herbal tea blends marketed for heat-clearing and detoxification |
| Veterinary & Animal Health | Niche applications in TCM-based veterinary formulations (region-dependent) |
| Cosmeceutical Research | Emerging interest in bilirubin-derived antioxidant ingredients for skin-care innovation |
Quality Assurance & Manufacturing Standards at The Extract Factory
Sourcing ox bezoar demands rigorous quality control because material integrity, origin verification, and assay consistency directly impact downstream product efficacy and regulatory compliance.
Certifications
- Halal Certification — confirming compliance with Islamic dietary and manufacturing standards
- Kosher Certification — enabling market access for Jewish-dietary-compliant products
- ISO 9001 Quality Management System — ensuring documented, repeatable processes from raw material intake through final packaging
Production Capability
The Extract Factory operates four independent production lines dedicated to proportion extraction and content extraction. Our technical team includes specialized personnel responsible for sourcing, auditing, and qualifying high-quality botanical and animal-derived raw materials. This infrastructure supports both small-batch specialty orders and large-volume supply contracts with consistent quality output.
Traceability & Documentation
Every lot of ox bezoar is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) reflecting CP2015 parameters. Clients receive full traceability from source animal or cultivation origin through processing, testing, and dispatch — a critical requirement for GMP-aligned pharmaceutical procurement.
Physical Handling, Packaging & Logistics
Ox bezoar is inherently fragile. Proper packaging is not optional — it is a quality-preservation necessity.
Packaging Protocols
- Samples and small orders (below 5 kg): Sealed in foil bags with foam cushioning to prevent fracture during transit
- Medium orders (5–25 kg): Double-layer PP (polypropylene) bags placed inside master cartons or cardboard drums
- Bulk orders (25 kg drums): Double-layer PP bag liner within sturdy cardboard drums for palletized shipping
- All shipments: Vacuum-sealed to minimize moisture exposure and oxidation risk
Shipping Options & Lead Times
| Cargo Weight | Packaging Configuration | Shipping Method | Estimated Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | Foil bag with foam wrap | International Express (FedEx / DHL / UPS) | 7–10 business days |
| 5–50 kg | Double-layer PP bag + master carton or cardboard drum | International Express / Air Shipping | 7–10 business days |
| 100–200 kg | 25 kg/drum, double-layer PP bag + cardboard drum | Air Freight | 7–10 business days |
| Over 500 kg | 25 kg/drum, double-layer PP bag + cardboard drum | Ocean Freight | 20–45 business days |
The Extract Factory accommodates custom packaging specifications for private-label and OEM clients. Specify your requirements when requesting a quotation.
Storage Recommendations
To preserve assay integrity and prevent degradation:
- Store in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight
- Maintain sealed, moisture-barrier packaging at all times
- Recommended storage temperature: below 25°C (77°F)
- Avoid prolonged exposure to heat or humidity, which may accelerate bilirubin oxidation
- Shelf life is dependent on packaging integrity; re-test recommended after extended storage
Why Source Ox Bezoar from The Extract Factory?
For B2B buyers evaluating ox bezoar suppliers, the decision hinges on reliability, documentation, and supply continuity. Here is what sets The Extract Factory apart:
- Multi-grade availability — natural and cultivated options to match any budget or specification
- ISO 9001–aligned processes — systematic quality management from intake to dispatch
- Halal, Kosher, and GMP-supportive documentation — enabling global market access
- OEM and custom formulation support — we work with brand owners developing proprietary products
- Dedicated technical team — experienced in animal-derived raw material qualification and phytochemical standardization
- Flexible logistics — from air-express samples to full-container ocean shipments
- Transparent pricing and COA-backed quality — no surprises at the receiving dock
Whether you are a pharmaceutical manufacturer formulating classical TCM products, a nutraceutical brand developing liver-support supplements, or a wholesale distributor serving the Asian herbal medicine trade, The Extract Factory provides a dependable ox bezoar supply chain backed by verifiable quality systems.
Get in Touch
Ready to request a sample, discuss grade specifications, or place a bulk order for ox bezoar? Contact our sales and technical team directly:
Email: [email protected]
We respond to all inquiries within one business day and provide quotation, COA preview, and shipping options tailored to your region and volume.
