Dan Fan (胆矾)

Name

Dan Fan (Chalcanthite), from Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong's Herbal)

Source and quality

The blue vitriol, or manmade hydrous blue vitriol (CuSO4 · 5H2O), of the family Vitriol. It is produced in most areas of China and is mined all year round.

It has an astringent taste. The best grade is large, blue, transparent and brittle, and free from impurities. It is ground, or ground after being calcined in fire.

Nature and action

Bitter, astringent, cold and toxic. It enters the liver, stomach, spleen and gallbladder meridians.

It induces vomiting, removes toxicity and dries dampness, and corrodes to eliminate putridity.

Indications

Inflammation of the throat, epilepsy due to excessive wind-phlegm, and poisoning by mistake

It is a commonly used emetic herb because of its strong action of promoting vomiting, and it is indicated for every condition in which vomiting should be induced.

• For inflammation of the throat and acute throat troubles, where the tract is obstructed by phlegm and the voice is dragged and saw-like, it is combined with herbs that extinguish wind and dispel phlegm, such as Jiang Can in Er Sheng San from Ji Sheng Fang.
• For epilepsy due to wind-phlegm, it is smashed into a powder and taken on its own with warm vinegar, as in Tan Shi Xiao Er Fang.
• For poisoning by mistake, it can be dissolved in warm water to promote vomiting and dispel the toxin.

Aphthous ulcers, ulcerative gingivitis and blepharitis

It removes toxin and dries dampness when used externally in a low-concentration preparation.

• For aphthous ulcers, it can be smashed into a powder together with Chan Su and applied externally, as recorded in Sheng Hui Fang.
• For ulcerative gingivitis, it can be smashed into a powder after calcining and pasted onto the affected area, or combined with herbs that dry dampness and clear heat, such as Er Cha and Hu Huang Lian in Dan Fan San from Shen Shi Zun Sheng Fang.
• For blepharitis, it can be smashed into a powder after calcining and dissolved in water for use as a douche.

Unruptured carbuncles, sores, multiple abscesses and necrotic tissue

It corrodes and eliminates putridity when used externally in a high-concentration preparation.

• For widespread swelling of sores, it can be smashed into a powder for external application, as in Zhi Zhi Fang.
• For pain due to necrotic tissue, with incessant pus and bleeding, it can be smashed into a powder for external application to corrode and eliminate the putridity.

Dosage and administration

Internally, 0.3~0.6 g in pills or dissolved in warm water. For external use, an appropriate dose: puff with the powder or paste with it, or dissolve it in water for use as a douche.

Cautions

It is contraindicated in people with weak constitution. Internal use can impair the mucosa of the mouth or stomach, so it is better suited to external use.