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Alternate Chinese names: 汞粉 gǒng fěn; 水银粉 shuǐ yín fěn; 银粉 yín fěn; 扫盆 sǎo pén; 腻粉 nì fěn

Kingdom: Plant

Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Calomel is a tasteless salt obtained by sublimating mercury and alum (or mercury and chalcanthite) . It consists primarily of mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂). (PRC Pharmacopoeia)

Use: Medicinal

Category: External-use agents / Toxin-drawing, putridity-transforming, and flesh-engendering agents

Properties: Acrid; cold; highly toxic. (Some sources list bland instead of acrid.)

Channel entry: Large intestine and small intestine channels. (Some sources have liver and kidney channels.)

Actions and indications:

• Attacks toxin, kills worms, and closes sores (external use): Scab and lichen; eczema; syphilis; yellow-water sores; open ulcerated sores.
• Disinhibits water and frees the stool (internal use): Repletion patterns of water swelling and drum distension.

Dosage and method: Topical: Grind and apply mixed or sprinkle on dry. Oral: 0.06–0.15g (ground to a powder); use in pill or powder preparations.

Warnings: Qīng fěn is highly toxic, so it is primarily used externally. Even when used externally, it should not be used in excessive quantities or over a prolonged period of time. Qīng fěn must be used with care internally to prevent poisoning. It is contraindicated in pregnancy and in weak health.

Product description: This a tasteless salt obtained by sublimating mercury and alum (or mercury and chalcanthite) consisting primarily of mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂ or HgCl).

Production area: Shānxī, Shǎnxī (Shaanxi), Húnán.

Etymology: The name qīng fěn 轻粉, literally light powder, reflects the form and weight of this item.

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