- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Mineral; mined in China and elsewhere
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Mineral · № 797
Cinnabaris (kwiksulfide)
Mineral · Asia
Cinnabar (zhu sha)
Cinnabaris (kwiksulfide)
Traditionally attributed effects: was used to calm the mind and stop convulsions; contains mercury.
Safety notes
Toxic or risky: only under expert supervision. Deliberately no dosage is given here. Contains mercury, a heavy metal that accumulates in the body and can irreversibly damage the nervous system, kidneys and liver. Products with mercury are not permitted in the EU as a medicine or food supplement. Do not use, not even externally; keep out of the reach of children. Heating makes it even more toxic. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Mercury: do not use.
Preparation
Powder. Deliberately no dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'substances that anchor and calm the mind'. Cinnabar (zhu sha) is mercury sulphide and was used in China to calm the mind and as a pigment for red lacquer and seals. Daoist alchemists made elixirs of life from it, which several emperors probably died from. Because of the mercury, ingestion harms the kidneys and nervous system; it is no longer permitted in many countries.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, cool, toxic
- Meridians
- heart
Attributed effects
The book describes use for restlessness, palpitations, insomnia and restless dreams, for convulsions from high fever in babies and epilepsy, and externally for boils, mouth ulcers and snakebites.
Preparation and amount
Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist. Cinnabar is still found in some Chinese and Ayurvedic patent pills; check imported products.
Caution: Mercury: do not use.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Powder and kitchen