The efficacy and function of silver vermilion

Vermilion is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine and is very helpful for many diseases. Let us give a brief introduction to silver vermilion.

[Other names] Lingsha (Zhenglei Bencao), Xinhong (Bencao Mengquan), Shuihuazhu (Hu Yanshengdan Lianyao Mi Jue), Scarlet Red, Zifenshuang (Compendium of Materia Medica).

[Source] Artificially made red mercury sulfide.

[Preparation] "The Secret of Refining Medicines by Hu Yan" states: "To refine silver cinnabar, use two catties of stone pavilion fat, melt it in a new pot, then add one catty of mercury, stir-fry it into green sand, and grind it into powder until no stars are visible at the beginning. Put it in a pot, cover it with a stone plate, tie it with iron wire, and solidify it with salt mud. Forge it over a high fire, wait until it cools down and take it out. The one that sticks to the pot is silver cinnabar, and the one that sticks to the mouth is cinnabar. Nowadays, people often mix it with yellow ochre and alum red, and the color is dark yellow, so it is easy to distinguish. The real one is called Shuihua cinnabar. For every catty of mercury, burn 14 liang and 8 fen of cinnabar, and 3 liang and 5 qian of inferior cinnabar."

【Nature and flavor】Pungent, warm, toxic.

[entry into meridians] Enters the heart, lung and stomach meridians.

【Functions and indications】 Attacking toxins, killing insects, drying up dampness, and eliminating phlegm. Treats scabies, ulcers, heart and stomach pain caused by shaqi.

【Usage and Dosage】 For external use: grind into powder and apply on the affected area. For internal use: Grind into powder and use a small amount in pills or powders.

【Note】 This product is poisonous and should be taken with caution.

[Additional prescription] ① Treating carbuncle on the back: equal parts of cinnabar and alum. Boil the decoction and wash with warm water, then use mulberry fire to moxibustion from a distance, three times a day. (Emergency Remedies)

【Discussions by various scholars】 ① "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Crimson is made by refining sulfur and mercury. It is dry and fierce in nature and can also rot gums and contract tendons. Its merits and demerits are the same as those of calomel." "Lingsha can raise and lower yin and yang, balance water and fire, and is a magical elixir for emergency treatment, but it should not be taken for a long time. Su Dongpo said that this medicine can cure long-term nausea, all vomiting, and vomiting in children because it has the magic of matching yin and yang. Shizhen often used yin and yang water to send it, which is particularly wonderful."

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】 From Compendium of Materia Medica

Through the detailed introduction above, we have a good understanding of the efficacy and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Yinzhu. I hope this can be helpful to everyone.