WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

It is the Arsenolite ore, or the refined product of arsenopyrite (sulphur arsenic iron ore), Xionghuang and other minerals which containing arsenic. The medicinal is divided into White-Pishi and Red-Pishi, the former is much purer, but the latter is mainly used for medical clinical applications. The refined product which had been sublimed is arsenic.

[Medicinal Properties]: Pungent, extremely heat and extremely toxic; relate to the lung and liver meridians

[Medicinal Efficacies]: Eliminate toxin and kill parasites; corrode wound and remove putrid sore; remove necrotic tissue when externally used; eliminate phlegm, relieve dyspnea and check malaria when used internally.

[Clinical Applications]:

1. Abscess, carbuncle, sore, obstinate tinea, scrofula, ulcerative gingivitis, hemorrhoids The medicinal has strong function of corroding wound and removing putridity for external use, although it can be used alone, it is mostly used in compound formula because of its severe toxicity. In treating prolonged malignant sore, it is used in combination with Liuhuang and Kushen; In treating scrofula and hemorrhoids, it is combined with Mingfan and Xionghuang. In recent years, it can be used to treat tumor. 

       2. Asthma of cold-phlegm In treating asthma of cold-phlegm, without healing for a long time, it can be used with Dandouchi, such as in the formula Zijin Dan.

[Usage and Dosage]: 0.002-0.004g. It is used in pill or powder. The appropriate amount is utilized externally, it is ground into powder and can be applied to the local area, and it should be used in compound formula powder or plaster, medicated thread.

[Precautions]: Because of its severe toxicity, it should be used with cautions for internal use; no overdosage for external applications, in order to avoid local absorption causing poisoning. It can not be used as alcoholic preparation. It is contraindicated in pregnant women. It is not suitable to use in combination with mercury.

[Side Effects]: Taking Arsenic Trioxide orally above the dosage of 5mg may cause poisoning, and may cause death for 20-200mg, it is absorbed after oral administration, and distributed to the each organ of the whole body following the blood, with the large storage amount and long time in bone and hairs. Arsenic has great chemical force to the sulfhydryl group of the protein, it may inhibit sulfhydryl group enzyme which has important effect to the metabolism, it can make the respiratory and oxidative process disordered, and damage arteriole and capillary wall directly. It also can cause degeneration and necrosis of liver, congestion of the heart, liver, kidney, and intestines, epithelial cell necrosis. It can lead to carcinogenesis, deformation, and mutagenesis, corrode skin and mucous membranes fiercely.

砒石 为矿物砷华Arsenolite的矿石，或由毒砂（硫砷铁矿）、雄黄等含砷矿物的加工品。主产于江西、湖南、广东、贵州等地。药材分白砒与红砒，二者三氧化二砷（As2O3）的含量均在96%以上，但前者更纯，后者尚含少量硫化砷等红色矿物质。药用以红砒为主。砒石升华的精制品即砒霜。砒石又名信石、人言。