Properties: Pungent, warm, toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Stomach and Large Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Kills Demonic Things (精物 Jing Wu), Evil Ghosts (惡鬼 E Gui), perverse Qi (邪氣 Xie Qi) and resolves the Toxicity of the Hundred Parasites (百蟲毒 Bai Chong Du)
Scabies, ringworm and Damp rashes (topical)
Any kind of skin itch (topical)
Abscesses, suppurative inflammation, ulcerations, and snake bite (topical)
Intestinal parasites especially when there are signs of accumulation, particularly roundworms
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
- Dries Dampness, expels Phlegm, stops malarial disorders and settles Wind
Wheezing
Seizures
Malarial disorders
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of minerals which can, after sublimation, make the body light and become an immortal. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生). However, it is not recommended for prolonged taking like most other superior minerals.
Suggested Daily Dosage: Due to toxicity no dose is permissible today. Traditionally 0.05-0.1g internally or a small amount applied as powder in external applications.
Cautions: This substance is toxic due to its arsenic content and so should not be used.
Traditional usage requires it to be refined with water, and just for temporary use. For external application, it is not suitable for a large scale use or for a long time. It is contraindicated for the pregnant women. Avoid being calcined by fire.
Notes:
Despite its toxicity at higher doses, several studies have found that low doses of arsenite induces a mitohormetic response that promotes cell growth and improves health (Schmeisser, Schmeisser & Ristow, 2013; Chavan et al., 2017). This may explain the use of arsenic containing compounds in small doses found in medical systems in both Chinese and European traditions since ancient times. However, the potential toxic effects make dosage difficult to guage.
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The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing also claims that realgar enables one to "overcome the five weapons" which refers to an ancient belief that it could be made into an amulet to confer invulnerability in battle (Yang, 1999. The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica: A Translation of the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing).
Appears in 7 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
