- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Mineral; mined in China and elsewhere
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Mineral · № 782
Sulfur
Mineral · Asia
Sulfur (liu huang)
Sulfur
Traditionally attributed effects: externally for scabies and fungal infections.
Safety notes
Do not take internally on your own. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Powder. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'substances for external use'. Sulphur (liu huang) was used externally in ointments against scabies and fungal infections, and processed internally to warm yang. Sulphur ointment is still used against scabies in Western medicine.
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
- pungent, warm, slightly toxic
- Meridians
- spleen, kidney
Attributed effects
Externally for scabies and fungal infections of the skin. The book mentions internal use to warm the yang of kidney and spleen in impotence, frequent urination and diarrhoea or constipation from cold.
Preparation and amount
Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist. Sulphur ointment is still used against scabies.
Combinations
- With camphor and alum against scabies and lice
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionSalve and balmPowder and kitchen