Sundance Acupuncture

Herb & Acupuncture Database

(This is my own personal database of teachers, teachings and notes that I use in my practice. I’ve decided to share it freely with anyone who would like to reference it.)

Zao Fan - 皂矾 - Melanteritum

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Melanteritum
Common English:	Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate Melanterite

Category

Substances for External Use

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Sour Astringent	Cool	Spleen Liver (Lungs)	0.8-4.5g

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Dries Dampness and resolves Phlegm	General edema with Yin jaundice, chronic dysentery, chronic diarrhea
Kills parasites and dispels Accumulation	Malnutrition, infantile malnutrition
Nourishes the Blood and controls bleeding	Anemia, jaundice due to Blood Deficiency, hematochezia due to intestinal bleeding
Removes toxins and controls furuncles	Aphthae, Blepharitis ulcerosa, Eczema, Furuncles, Oral lesions, Pharyngitis, Scabies

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindicated during the first trimester following hematemesis.
Contraindicated for Stomach diseases.
Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Use caution as oral intake may cause vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and dizziness.
Strictly avoid tea.

INCOMPATIBILITIES

HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Major Combinations

Notes

For external use, take the needed amount of powder and either mix it with oil or dissolve it in water to wash the lesions.
It should not be decocted; take it as pills or powder.
For anemia from Kidney failure, combine 200g Zao Fan, 500g Fr. Jujube Da Zao (pitted), 400g stir-fried wheat flour, 10g Flos Caryophylli Ding Xiang and 200g honey. Blend thoroughly and form pea-sized pills. Take 10 to 15 pills per dose, twice a day.

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.