Emetics
Salt: Chinese Herb Guide
Name
Shi Yan (Salt)
Nature and action
Salt, cold. It enters the stomach, kidney, small intestine and large intestine meridians.
It clears fire, induces vomiting, cools the blood and removes toxicity.
Indications
- Abdominal distension
- Constipation
- Difficult urination
- Toothache
- Clouding of the eye
- Sores and boils
- Insect bites
- Indigestion
- Laryngalgia
- Gingival bleeding
Dosage and administration
Melted in boiling water, 1~3 g. A proper dose is used for external application: stir-fry it and apply to the affected area, or melt it in water for washing and for use as eye drops.
Cautions
Contraindicated in cases of edema. Do not take too much.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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