Back to search result Previous Next
Search in medicinals

Auripigmentum

Orpiment

雌黄 〔雌黃〕 cī huáng

Alternate Chinese names: 昆仑黄 kūn lún huáng

Kingdom: Mineral

Use: Medicinal

Properties: Acrid; balanced; toxin.

Channel entry: Liver channel.*

Actions and indications: Dries dampness, kills worms, and resolves toxin. Treats scab (jiè) and lichen (xiǎn); malign sores; stings and bites; epilepsy; cold phlegm cough and panting; worm accumulation with abdominal pain.

Product description: This is a yellow mineral basically consisting of As₂S₃. It is similar to realgar (xióng huáng) in chemical constitution (realgar being AsS) and is paler in color.

Production area: Húnán, Húběi, Guìzhōu, Yúnnán, Sìchuān, and Shǎnxī (Shaanxi).

Etymology: The name cī huáng 雌黄, literally female yellow, reflects the color of this item and the belief that it is found on the shady (yin, female) side of mountains. Compare xióng huáng 雄黄.

Back to search result Previous Next