Zhu Sha (Cinnabar)

Zhu Sha, also known as Dansha and Chidan, is a natural mineral found in nature. It is often used as a traditional Chinese medicine due to its efficacy in calming the nerves, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, and relieving irritation. However, Zhu Sha cannot be consumed in large quantities as it is toxic and can cause a series of poisoning reactions. Let's take a closer look at what might happen if Zhu Sha is ingested accidentally.

Effects of Ingesting Zhu Sha

Modern research indicates that small amounts of Zhu Sha consumption are generally safe, but it should be consumed sparingly and not frequently. Excessive internal use of Zhu Sha can be toxic. The absorption rate of inorganic mercury in the human body is 5%, while the absorption rate of methylmercury can reach 100%. Under anaerobic sulfur conditions, Zhu Sha can produce methylmercury in a dark environment with a PH of 7 and a temperature of 37°C when it encounters substances with methyl groups. The human intestine possesses these conditions, increasing the risk of poisoning when taking Zhu Sha internally. The main clinical manifestations of Zhu Sha poisoning include neurological symptoms such as insomnia, decreased memory, headache, dizziness, and numbness in the hands and feet; digestive system symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sore throat, loss of appetite, and possibly gastrointestinal bleeding; and urinary system symptoms such as hypotension, arrhythmia, or toxic myocarditis, which often manifest in the later stages of poisoning. Mercury absorbed into the blood can enter red blood cells and bind to the sulfhydryl groups of hemoglobin, potentially damaging brain cells, fetuses, the heart, liver, kidneys, and inhibiting the activity of various enzymes. In severe cases, acute renal failure and even death can occur.

Efficacy of Zhu Sha

Zhu Sha has various medicinal effects, including calming the mind, clearing heat and detoxifying, improving vision, promoting blood circulation, relieving irritation and thirst, enhancing mental clarity, improving complexion, relieving abdominal pain, and treating various skin diseases caused by toxic substances. It can also be used to treat conditions such as mania, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, blurred vision, swelling and inflammation, sores, and skin diseases. It nourishes the spirit, stabilizes the soul, replenishes qi, and improves vision.

1. For Symptoms of Mental Disturbance, Palpitations, Insomnia, and Convulsions

Zhu Sha can calm the mind and is suitable for treating various symptoms of mental disturbance. For example, it can be used in combination with herbs that clear the heart and calm the mind, such as Huanglian (Coptis chinensis) and Cishi (Magnetite), to treat conditions such as excessive heart fire and restlessness; it can be used with herbs that clear heat and open orifices, such as Niuhuang (Bezoar) and Shexiang (Musk), to treat high fever and unconsciousness; it can be combined with herbs that clear phlegm and calm convulsions, such as Tianzhuhuang (Thunbergia laurifolia) and Dannanxing (Arisaema erubescens), to treat convulsions caused by phlegm-heat; and it can be used with herbs that nourish the blood and calm the mind, such as Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), Dihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa), Danggui (Angelica sinensis), and Baiziren (Platycladi semen), to treat conditions such as blood deficiency, palpitations, and insomnia. Thus, Zhu Sha can be used in combination with different herbs to treat various conditions such as excess heat and blood deficiency, always leveraging its calming and stabilizing effects on the mind.

2. For Symptoms of Skin Inflammation, Swelling, and Sore Throat

Zhu Sha has detoxifying properties when used externally. When combined with herbs such as Xionghuang (Realgar), Shancishu (Cremastra appendiculata), Shexiang (Musk), and Qianjinzi (Semen Euphorbiae), it can be applied externally to treat skin inflammation and swelling. When combined with herbs such as Bingpian (Borneol), Pengsha (Borax), and Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite), it can be used to treat conditions such as mouth ulcers and sore throat by applying it to the throat. Zhu Sha's ability to calm the mind makes it suitable for treating various mental disturbances, including excessive heart fire, restlessness, high fever and unconsciousness, convulsions caused by phlegm-heat, and blood deficiency with symptoms of palpitations and insomnia.