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Knowledge baseHerbs

Mang Xiao芒硝

Natrii SulfasMirabilite

Also known asMirabilitum · Glauber’s Salt · Sodium Sulfate

Category
Purgatives
Nature
very cold
Taste
pungent, bitter, salty
Channels entered
Stomach, Large Intestine
Secondary channels
Lung
Dosage
4–18 g

Usual doses

Infusion
4–18 g

Actions & indications

Purges accumulations, guides out Stagnation, softens hardness and moistens Dryness
Heat in the Stomach and Intestines with constipation and hard knots
Clears Heat and drains Fire
Heat in the Stomach or Lungs especially accumulated Phlegm or clumping in the Intestines
Clears Heat and reduces swelling
  • Red, swollen, painful eyes
  • Painful, ulcerated, swollen mouth or throat (topical)
  • Red, swollen skin lesions (topical)
  • Mastitis (topical) (promotes lactation)

Contraindications

  • Avoid in those with Spleen Deficiency Cold.
  • Use caution in the elderly.
  • Avoid during pregnancy.
  • Avoid postpartum.
  • Avoid during menstruation.
  • Topical use for breast abscess in a nursing mother may reduce lactation.
  • Do not use in the absence of pathogenic clumping in the Lower Jiao.
  • Do not use in the absence of closed clumping that is difficult to pass due to pathogenic Heat.

Incompatibilities

  • Avoid combining with Rz. Sparganii San Leng.
  • Avoid combining with Sulfur Liu Huang.

Combinations

Notes

  • This herb and Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang enhance one another's actions and are usually combined.
  • Many sources describe this herb as merely a stool softener, requiring Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang to produce any purgative effect.
  • Natrii Sulfas Exsiccatus Xuan Ming Fen, a purer form, is a weaker laxative but more effective topically for mouth ulcers.
  • It is especially useful for softening hardened feces in the colon and for holding water there to treat acute or chronic Dryness.
  • Sodium sulfate is now commonly used in China, but magnesium sulfate — known as Epsom salts — is likely the original material, and better suited to a culture where high sodium intake is already a concern.
  • For internal use, Mang Xiao is added to a strained decoction or mixed with warm water; it should never be decocted directly.
  • Mang Xiao and Da Huang both drain accumulation to treat clumped Heat in the Large Intestine causing constipation. Da Huang, bitter and cold, drains Qi Level Heat in Yang Ming disorders, cools the Blood, resolves toxicity, and breaks up static accumulations, and treats epistaxis, hemoptysis, red swollen painful eyes, and gynecological abdominal masses. Mang Xiao clears the Large Intestine and softens hardness to relieve constipation.
  • Fluid intake should be increased while taking this herb.
  • Applied topically, it softens nodules and reduces swelling in breast lumps without pus.
  • Apply topically to stop lactation.

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