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Alum
白矾 〔白礬〕bái fán
Latin pharmacognostic name: Alumen
Alternate Chinese names: 矾石 fán shí; 明矾 míng fán; 石涅 shí niè; 羽涅 yǔ niè; 羽泽 yǔ zé; 涅石 niè shí; 白君 bái jūn; 雪矾 xuě fán; 云母矾 yún mǔ fán
Kingdom: Plant
Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Extracted from the mineral alunite; KAI(SO₄)₂·12H₂O. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)
Use: Medicinal
Category: External-use agents / Toxin-attacking, worm-killing, and itch-relieving agents
Properties: Sour, astringent; cold.
Channel entry: Spleen, lung, liver, and large intestine channels.
Indications:
- Resolves toxin, absorbs dampness, kills worms, and relieves itching (external use): Eczema;
damp sores ; scab and lichen. - Clears heat and transforms phlegm (internal use): Wind stroke, epilepsy, and mania and withdrawal when these are due to wind-phlegm.
- Stanches bleeding (internal use): Vomiting of blood, nosebleed, bloody stool, flooding and spotting, bleeding from external injury.
- Astringes the intestines and checks diarrhea (internal use): Enduring diarrhea or enduring dysentery.
- Additional uses: Bái fán may also be used to treat prolapse of the rectum, prolapse of the uterus, and damp-heat jaundice.
Dosage & Method: Oral: 0.6–3g at time in pills and powders. Topical: Grind to a powder and sprinkle on the affected area or apply mixed.
Warnings: Contraindicated in constitutional vacuity with stomach weakness, and in the absence of damp-heat.
Product Description: Alum is produced from the mineral alunite. It is composed of translucent, colorless octahedral crystals, which have a hardness of 3.5–4, and a specific gravity of 2.6–2.8. Alum crystals are apt to be somewhat dirty looking, but on being dissolved and filtered, give a very pure solution of alum.
Product Area: ānhuī, Zhèjiāng, Fújiàn, Shānxī, Héběi, Húběi.
Etymology: