The Chinese medicine is the refined crystalline sodium sulphate, usually made from natural sources, natrii sulfas as its chief component. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the provinces of Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Jiangsu, etc.. The mineral substance containing Natrii sulfas is decocted in hot water with pieces of turnips, and the upper part of the decocton is taken out and treated by cooling, the refined sodium sulphate can be crystallized out, which is called Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas). The dehydrated white powder of Mirabilite is called Xuanmingfen (Natrii Sul fus Exsiccatus ) .

Medicinal Properties Salty and Bitter in flavor, cold in nature and attributive to the stomach and large intestine meridians.

Actions Soften dried feces to induce downward discharging, clear away heat.

Application

1. For constipation caused by accumulation of sthenic-heat in the stomach and intestine, it is especially suitable for constipation due to dry feces with difficulty in defecation, usually combined with Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), such as Da Chengqi Tang (Decoction).

2. For sore throat and aphthae, it is usually combined with Pengsha (Borax), Zhusha (Cinnabaris) and Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum ) that are pounded into powder for external use, that is, Bingpeng San (Powder). Also put in watermelon, and prepared into Xigua Shuang ( Pulvis Pericarpii Citrulli Preparatus ) for external use. The solution form of Xuanmingfen (Natrii Sulfus Exsiccatus) can be used for eye drops to treat bloodshot eyes.

3. It is generally indicated for the swelling and sores of carbuncles. It can be wrapped with gauze or dissolved in water for external application to treat the early stage of mastitis. It is also combined with Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei ) and garlic ( Bulbus Allii ) , which are ground into pieces for external use to treat the early stage of intestinal abscess.

Usage and Dosage 10 -18 g is used in decotion for oral use, dissolved in decoction or in boiling water for oral use. Just right amount is for external use. Xuanmingfen (Natrii Sulfas Exsiccatus) is usually used in oral and eye department.

Notes Contraindicated during prenancy and lactation.

Luhui Aloe

The source is from the juice of the base of the leaf of a perennial evergreen plant, Aloe ferox Mill, Berger, family Liliaceae, and the juice is further concentrated and made into a kind of dried extract. The medicinal material is mainly produced in Africa and cultivated in the areas of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian, etc. of China. All year round the juice out of the cut leaves is collected, put in a pot and decocted into thick extract that is poured into a container and cooled, added in pill or powder for being used.

edicinal Properties Bitter in flavor, cold in nature and attributive to the liver and large intestine meridians.

Actions Purge the bowels, clear away fire from the liver and kill worms.

Application

1. It is used for constipation due to heat stagnation, especially suitable for constipation due to sthenic-heat ac-companied with the flaring of heart-fire and liver-fire with restlessness and insomnia since it can clear liver-fire. It is usually combined with Zhusha (Cinnabaris), such as Gengyi Wan (Pill).

2. For overabundance of fire in the liver meridian manifested as constipation, bloody urine, dizziness, hypochondriac pain and convulsion, it is usually used together with Longdan (Radix Gentianae ) , Huanglian ( Rhizoma Coptidis), and Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), etc., such as Danggui Long Hui Wan (Pill).

3. For infantile malnutrition and accumulation of worms with abdominal pain, usually combined with paraciticides, Dangshen ( Radix Codonopsis ), Baizhu ( Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae ) and others that can tonify the spleen.

In addition, it is used externally for chronic eczema, sore and fistula.

Usage and Dodge 2 - 5 g is added to pill or powder for oral use; just right amount for external use.
Notes Contraindicated in a case with deficiency of the spleen and stomach with poor appetite and loose stool, and pregnant women since it is extremely bitter in flavor.

Fanxieye Folium Sennae

The source is from the leaflet of Cassia angustifolia Vahl and C. acutifolia Delile, family Leguminosae. The former is mainly produced in India, Egypt and Sudan, and the latter in Egypt, and also cultivated in Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan of China. Mter September, the medicinal material is collected, dried in the sun and the crude form is used.

edicinal Properties Sweet and bitter in flavor, cold in nature and attributive to the large intestine meridian.

Actions Purge and relax the bowels.

or constipation due to stagnation of heat, or chronic habitual constipation, it is usually soaked alone in boiling warter for oral use or combined with Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus ) , Houpo ( Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), etc., it is now used as intestine clearing agent before GI fluoroscopy.

Usage and Dosage 1.5 - 3 g is soaked in warm boiled water for oral use; 5 - 9 g is used in decoction and added to later.

Notes Contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation and menstruation. Overdosage should be avoided because it can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.