Liu Huang硫黄
SulfurSulfur
- Slightly toxic
- Category
- Herbs for topical application
- Nature
- hot
- Taste
- sour
- Channels entered
- Kidney, Large Intestine, Pericardium
- Secondary channels
- Spleen
- Dosage
- 1–6 g
Actions & indications
- Relieves toxicity, kills parasites and stops itching
- Important topically for scabies, tinea, Damp-festering sores, ulcers, carbuncles and recalcitrant Yin flat abscess and furuncles
- Itching
- Tonifies Ming Men Fire and strengthens *Yang*
- Kidney Yang Deficiency with painful lower back and knees and impotence
- Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiencies with diarrhea
- Asthma due to Kidneys unable to grasp Qi
- Constipation or diarrhea in the elderly caused by Cold
Contraindications
- Contraindicated in pregnancy.
- Contraindicated for Yin Deficiency presenting Heat signs.
- Internal use requires caution.
Combinations
Scabies.
- Ku Fan
- She Chuang Zi
Itchy, Damp sores of the perineum and groin.
Acne.
Wheezing, low back pain and impotence from Ming Men Deficiency with the Kidneys failing to grasp Lung Qi.
Impotence, frequent urination, and cold, painful low back and limbs.
- Zhi
- Ban Xia
Constipation in elderly patients from Deficiency Cold.
- Ren Shen
- Bai Zhu
- Ding Xiang
Chronic diarrhea due to insufficiency of the Lower Jiao.
Impotence, with weak, cold lower limbs.
Scabies.
Scrotal rash.
Diaper rash.
Asthma from Kidney Yang Deficiency with Cold.
Notes
- Both Liu Huang and Realgar Xiong Huang resolve toxicity and kill parasites, and both treat scabies, tinea and rashes; Liu Huang works better against tinea and itching, though its hot nature makes it unsuited to Yang-type lesions, while Xiong Huang is more effective at resolving toxins and treating abscesses and sores.
- Applied topically on its own, it treats scabies, herpetic lesions, sores, and fungal infections.