English: Mirabilites
Chinese: 芒硝
Parts used: The rock crushed as a powder
TCM category: Purgative herbs that drain downward
TCM nature: Cold
Organ affinity: Stomach Large intestine
Scientific name: Natrii Sulfas
Other names: Glauber's salt, Sodium sulfate, Pu Xiao, Po Xiao
Use of Mang Xiao (mirabilites) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Crush the rock into powder
Dosage: 3 - 12 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Purges Stagnation in the Intestines caused by Heat and Dryness, Cools Heat and abates swelling
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Mang Xiao may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Constipation Swellings Lumps Appendicitis
Contraindications*: As this substance has a strong descending action, it should not be used during pregnancy, menstruation or post-partum; it should also be avoided by those with Spleen Deficiency and by the elderly.
Common TCM formulas in which Mang Xiao is used*
Huang Long Tang
Source date: 1445 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula key actions: Clear Heat from the Interior . Supports the Original Qi.
Conditions targeted*: TyphoidParatyphoid and others
Mang Xiao is a king ingredient in Huang Long Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Huang Long Tang, Mang Xiao helps to drain Heat and unblock the bowels along with Rhubarb.
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Source date: 1172 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Formula key actions: Disperses Wind. Releases the Exterior. Drains Heat. Unblocks the bowels.
Conditions targeted*: Common coldHypertension and others
Mang Xiao is a king ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, Mang Xiao expels Heat through the stool.
Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Stagnant Heat in the intestines. Reduces swelling and disperses lumps.
Conditions targeted*: AppendicitisPelvic inflammatory disease and others
Mang Xiao is a deputy ingredient in Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang, Mang Xiao softens the stools and aids in draining Heat downward, thereby unclogging the Intestines.
Key TCM concepts behind Mang Xiao's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Mang Xiao belongs to the 'Purgative herbs that drain downward' category. The herbs in this category are those whose main purpose is to treat constipation. The fact they're 'purgative' means that they do so by removing Excess Heat in the Intestines and/or Stomach. As such all herbs in this category are Cold in nature, in order to cool the Heat.
Furthermore Mang Xiao is Cold in nature. This means that Mang Xiao typically helps people who have too much 'Heat' in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Mang Xiao can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Mang Xiao also tastes Bitter and Salty. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Mang Xiao tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Salty ingredients tend to have a draining effect in the body because they clear accumulations, remove Phlegm and soften hard lumps.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Mang Xiao is thought to target the Stomach and the Large intestine. In TCM the Stomach is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine. The Large Intestine on the other hand receives the "impure" parts of the digested food from the Small Intestine, absorbs the remaining fluids and excrete the remainder as feces.