Potassium Aluminium Sulphate 明矾 Míng fán, BAI FAN KAl(SO4)2 Alum
FLAVOR: Sour. Astringent CHANNELS:
Large Intestine, Liver, Lung, Spleen, StomachFUNCTIONS
GROUP: External Use- Styptic and deodorant. Also taken internally in small doses.
1. Resolves Phlegm,[1,3] neutralizes excess moisture.[1] Expel sputum. Dry up Dampness.
2. Clears Heat.[3] Lowers fever.[1]
3. Expels flatus (gas in the digestive tract).[1]
4. Detoxifies and kills parasites.[1,3]
5. Styptic,[3] and alleviates pain.[1] Alleviates diarrhea.
INDICATIONS
1. Numbness of throat.[1] Painful throat,[3] or eyes.[3]
2. Epilepsy.[1,2]
3. Hypersalivation.[1] Cough with difficult to expectorate sputum.[3]
4. Excessive phlegm.[1] Wind Phlegm disorders manifested by irritability, delirium, and convulsions.
5. Leukorrhea.[1]
6. Jaundice.[1,3] Epistaxis.[1]
7. Stomatitis.
8. Diarrhea with blood in stool, uterine bleeding, bleeding gums, and bleeding due to external injuries.
8. External usage- Used as an external wash for scabies,[1,3] ringworm, and rashes due to Dampness or Damp Heat.[3] Also open sores and canker sores.[1] Used topically for nosebleeds, hemorrhoidal bleeding and bleeding due to external injuries.[3]
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Always use with caution when taken interanlly. Contraindicated in cases of weak digestive system or in the absence of Damp Heat.
Some traditional sources state this herb antagonizes Ostrea gigas- Oyster shell- Mu li and counteracts Ephedra sinica- Ma huang.
PREPARATIONS: 0.5-1.5 g in decoction or a small chip of around 0.5-1 g can be simply swallowed. Note this low dosage of around 1.0 g as overdose of Ming fan can cause ulceration, vomiting, diarrhea and shock.[3]
For external application use a suitable amount.[1] For external usage always crush into powder.[3]
0.6-3 g in pills and powders internally.[3]