【Naming】
【Source】
Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)
【Commonly Used Degree】
E
【Origin】
A natural mineral mainly containing zinc carbonate, smithsonite.
【Characteristics】
It is in irregular lumps, flattened or rounded, varying in size. The surface is white or light red, with a glassy or pearly luster. There are depressions or small holes, and it appears powdery. It is light and loose in texture, fragile, with a white or light red, uneven, granular fracture, and small pores. It is hygroscopic, with a hardness of 5 and a specific gravity of 4.3~4.45. If the product contains cadmium, it will be bright yellow; if it contains iron, it will be brownish-yellow. It has no odor and a slightly astringent taste.
After calcination, it becomes a white or pale yellow amorphous clod or fine powder.
【Processing】
1. Calcined Calamine 2. Calcined and Levigated Calamine 3. Coptis chinensis Water Mixed Calamine 4. San Huang Tang (Three Yellows Decoction) Levigated Calamine 5. Medicinal Juice Levigated Calamine
【Identification】
“Puji Fang” (Prescriptions for Universal Relief): “Calamine that is yellowish-white stone is better than reed sugar (lu gan) stone.”
“Puji Fang“: “One tael of Calamine. It is better to use Shudao earth powder.”
“Yifang Leiju” (Collection of Classified Prescriptions): “Take four taels of medicinal powder of Calamine, with white and slightly yellow being the best. If it comes from Longdegong Palace, it is called Jing Stone and is the best.”
“Bencao Gangmu“: “Those produced in gold mines, with a slightly yellow color, are superior.”
“Huizhitang Experience Formula“: “Calamine that is light, not mixed with stone, and like sheep’s brain is good.”
“Experience Miraculous Formula“: “Calamine, choose the one that looks like white cloud flakes or sheep marrow.”
“Verified Prescriptions Newly Compiled“: “White Calamine (it is best to boil it until it floats in water).”
“Verified Prescriptions Newly Compiled“: “Top Calamine, it is best if it is light and can float on the water surface.”
“Verified Prescriptions Newly Compiled“: “Five qian of Calamine (soak in child urine for one day and night, burn it thoroughly, and it is best if it can float in water).”
“Chengfang Qieyong San“: “Calamine (the one in flakes is better).”
“Good and Bad Identification“: “The one with white color, soft texture, and light weight is superior. If there is a slight pigment or a broken interior with red color, it is inferior. The best product is the one that presents a bubbly shape.”
It is best if the pieces are large, white or light red, light and loose in texture, and can float in water.
It is secondary if it is heavy, solid, and mixed with stone.
Simple identification of the authenticity of this product:
(1) It does not melt when burned.
(2) Burning it on charcoal produces a zinc oxide film, yellow when hot and white when cold. However, it often has a brownish tinge due to its cadmium content.
(3) Heating with dilute hydrochloric acid dissolves it and produces foam.
【Category】
Minerals