A mineral supplement made of gypsum can protect the lungs from viral pneumonia by triggering a hidden circuit between the gut and the brain.
April 23, 2026
Original Paper
Gypsum Fibrosum regulates the TRPV1-mediated gut-brain-lung axis to potentiate Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction for preserving the pulmonary endothelial barrier in severe viral pneumonia
SSRN · 6623531
The Takeaway
Gypsum Fibrosum acts on specific nerve receptors in the digestive tract to send a signal through the brain to the respiratory system. This gut brain lung axis helps preserve the thin barrier that keeps fluid out of the lungs during severe infections. Most treatments focus on the virus or the lungs directly, but this mineral works by manipulating the body's own internal communication network. The gut is a powerful remote control for managing inflammation in distant organs.
From the abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevanceGypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), a widely used mineral medicine in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is frequently incorporated into herbal formulations for the treatment of severe respiratory infections. However, its specific pharmacological role and the underlying mechanisms within complex formulas remain to be fully elucidated.Aim of the studyGypsum Fibrosum is abundant in metal ions with potential neuromodulatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the pharma