Properties: Sour, acrid, cold, toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: None given
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Brightens the eyes
Eye pain
- Expels Wind-Phlegm
Epilepsy, convulsions and seizures
- Expels Harmful Qi and resolves Toxicity
Genital erosion and pain in women
Difficulty urinating due to stones
Fever and chills
Abnormal uterine bleeding
Infertility
Swelling and pain of the nail bed
Haemorrhoids
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of minerals which can, after sublimation, prevent senility, while with protracted taking, it can increase longevity and make one 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, prolonged taking could result in copper toxicity (see below).
Suggested Daily Dosage: None given but its corrosive nature means it would have to be in small doses, even if used externally.
Cautions: Overexposure can damage the skin, affect the stomach and intestines, and irritate the respiratory tract. High doses or long term use carry a potential risk of copper poisoning.
Mineral products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only.
Notes:
It is mainly used today as a pesticide, herbicide, bactericide, and fungicide (National Pesticide Information Centre, 2012).
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
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.
