Sulfur
Sulfur (lumps, yellow, uneven surface, shiny, translucent, easily brittle, smelly)
[Name]
[Source]
Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic of Materia Medica, Middle Grade, Stone Sulfur
[Frequency of Use]
C
[Botanical Origin]
Natural sulfur mineral, processed initially.
[Characteristics]
(1) Raw sulfur is in irregular lumps of varying sizes. It is yellow, or with light green or light brownish-yellow hue. The surface is uneven, often with pitted texture and fine sand holes; it has luster and is translucent. It is light, brittle and easily broken. The fracture surface often shows coarse needle-like crystal shape. It has a peculiar odor and a faint taste. It melts easily when burned, emitting a blue flame and releasing irritating sulfur dioxide odor.
(2) Prepared Stone Sulfur: Brownish lumps, mostly porous in the middle. Hard in texture.
[Processing]
1. Raw Sulfur 2. Prepared Sulfur
[Identification]
«Zheng Lei Ben Cao»: “The genuine one has the color of a chick just out of the shell”, “Lumps that are clear and without embedded stones are good”. «Pu Ji Fang»: “All Amethyst, White Quartz, <a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/硃砂/’>Cinnabar, Realgar, Sulfur, etc. All must be bright and transparent, with pure and clear color and texture, otherwise, they will cause dryness of the body, fever, dry mouth, and death.” «Pu Ji Fang»: “Raw sulfur is best used when it is clear.” «Pu Ji Fang»: “Sulfur, regardless of amount, is best when it is light yellow and transparent.” «Ben Cao Gang Mu»: “The best is the one that makes no sound when chewed.” «Zun Sheng Ba Jian»: “Imported sulfur has a color like honey yellow, with golden red areas inside, like the color of pomegranate peel in July, and when opened, it looks like crystal, with light, not at all loose or brittle, and has a stone-like hardness, is genuine.” «Ben Cao Qiu Zhen»: “Imported sulfur is yellow in color and hard as stone, is good.” «Yan Fang Xin Bian»: “Sulfur is best when it is bright and moist.” «Yan Fang Xin Bian»: “Sulfur is best when it is from overseas.”
Yellow, bright, and translucent crystals, with a loose and brittle texture, free from stone blocks and other impurities, are considered the best. Yellow-green in color, solid in texture, and containing impurities are considered secondary.
[Category]
Minerals