Mang Xiao
Naming
Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas)——Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous physicians)
Origin
The crystal refined from processed Glauber's salt of family Sulfates. The main ingredient is Na2SO4•10H2O.
Location
Mainly in Hebei, Henan, and Shandong provinces.
Harvest
Collected and refined all over the year.
The actual smell and taste
Salty, slightly bitter, cool taste.
Best quality
Strip in form, colorless, transparent.
Property
Salty, bitter, cold; stomach and large intestine meridians entered.
Actions
Soften hardness with purgative, clear heat and relieve swelling.
Indications
A. Constipation due to dryness-heat
Being bitter and cold with action of purgation and heat clearing, it excels at relaxing bowels and purging heat; while being salty with action of soften hardness, it excels at soften dry and hard stool. So it is much suitable for dry stool stagnation due to excess heat accumulation. It is often combined with Da Huang for mutually reinforcement in aspect of relaxing bowels with purgative, as in Da Cheng Qi Tang or Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang from Shang Han Lun.
B. Sore throat, mouth ulcer, blood-shot eyes, abscess and sores with swelling pain
It has the action of clearing heat and relieving swelling when being used topically. For interior excessive fire-heat manifested as sore throat, mouth and tongue ulcer, and gum swelling pain, it can be used singly or combined with heat-clearing, toxin-removing and abscess-curing herbs, such as Peng Sha, Bing Pian and Zhu Sha in Bing Peng San from Wai Ke Zheng Zong. For hemorrhoid with swelling pain, it can be decocted for external wash. For initial mammary abscess, it can be packed with gauze and applied externally.
Dosage and Administrations
Take infused or dissolve in water 10~15g. Proper dosage is for topical administration.
Cautions
Use with caution for women during lactation for its milk regurgitation action. It's contraindicated to pregnant women.