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Melanterite
绿矾 〔綠礬〕lǜ fán
Latin pharmacognostic name: Melanteritum
Alternate English names: green vitriol
Alternate Chinese names: 皂矾 zào fán; 青矾 qīng fán; 绛矾 jiàng fán
Kingdom: Mineral
Use: Medicinal
Category: External-use agents / Toxin-attacking, worm-killing, and itch-relieving agents
Properties: Sour and astringent; cool.
Channel entry: Lung and large intestine channels.*
Indications:
Dries dampness and transforms phlegm; disperses food and kills worms; stanches bleeding and supplements the blood; resolves toxin and closes sores.
yellow obesity; gān accumulations; enduring dysentery; intestinal wind with bloody stool; blood vacuity with withered yellow complexion;
Product Description: This is a natural mineral (or synthetic product) that takes the form of usually cylindrical or sometimes capillary, fibrous, or stalactitic crystals. It is translucent or slightly translucent with a glassy and is various shades of green that turn yellow after long exposure to the air. It is hard and brittle and has a specific gravity of 1.89–1.90. It mainly consists of FeSO₄·7H₂O. After heat treatment, it loses its crystal water, turns crimson in color, and becomes brittle and loose.
Quality: The best quality is green without impurities.
Product Area: Shāndōng, Húnán, Gānsū, Xīnjiāng, Shǎnxī (Shaanxi), ānhuī, Zhèjiāng, Hénán.
Etymology: The name lǜ fán 绿矾 literally means green alum.
See also: Jiàng fán (绛矾 Melanteritum Rubrum , crimson melanterite)
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