Malachite
Molochite, Melochites, Chrysocolla (Dioscorides)
Kong Que Shi 孔雀石 (TCM)
Spang ma སྤང་མ (Tibetan)
Dahnaj (Unani)
Za Tu Mus Gir (Sumerian)
Melochites
Hortus sanitatis, 1491
Malachite
Photo by Miguel Calvo (Wikimedia)
Minerological name:
Malachitum
Green Copper Carbonate with admixture
Ben Cao Gang Mu listed several types of Malachite including Hollow Malachite (Kong Qing), Lamellar Malachite (Ceng Qing) and Granular Malachite (Lu Qing). The first is botryoidal and is hollow inside an outer core of Malachite, and is rare. The second is in layered bands (as in the photo above). The third forms in granular masses.
Parts used:
Mineral, usually washed or burned for internal use.
Nodular or laminate varieties are used.
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sour, Astringent. Slightly Toxic
Some regarded it as Cold.
Properties:
Hardness: 3.5–4
Specific Gravity: 4
Of the Monoclinic crystal system, and in the form of prisms.
Effervesces in HCL
Constituents:
Green Copper Carbonate (CuO 71.95%, CO2 19.9%, H2O 8.15%); also Copper hydroxide, trace minerals
Uses:
1. Settles Wind, Purges Phlegm:
-accumulation of Wind-Phlegm, apoplexy, spasms, convulsions (Egypt, West, TCM)
-“It is of great efficacy against all infantile disorders”. (Lexicon of Alchemy; Pliny)
-Childhood convulsions; strengthens children; can be worn externally (Pliny)
-it was used to promote Vomiting (unwashed); “For having a patient vomit Wind-Phlegm, it is very effective”. (Su Song)
-In the Ebers Papyrus, Malachite was used in a purge. (similar to Azurite)
-Lymph diseases in Tibetan Medicine
-promotes Menstruation (taken with Honey, Salmon)
-“In the case of being struck by wind, with a wry mouth that fails to return to its proper position, let the patient hold an amount the size of a bean in his mouth and swallow the saliva. Very effective”. (Li Shi Zhen)
2. Benefits the Stomach:
-strengthens the Stomach (Crato)
-Colic, Hernia
-Heartburn, taken with milk (Salmon)
3. Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Kidney stones and other urinary disorders (Ayurveda).
-Ancient Egyptians used it for urinary disorders also.
-It has been used for rheumatism; ‘hot bone diseases’ in Tibetan Medicine
-diseases of the Male Sex organs (Tibetan Medicine)
-as an amulet to strengthen and aid children during teething.
-“nourishes the Essence and boosts the Liver Qi. Ingested over along ttme it relieves the body of its weight and extends the years of life”. (Ben Jing)
4. Clears the Eyesight, Removes Films: (TCM, Ebers Papyrus, Arabs, Tibetan)
-topically for various eye disorders including corneal opacity and conjunctivitis (TCM, Ebers Papyrus, Arabs, etc);
-ancient Egyptians used it for eye disorders including pterygium and conjunctivitis
-Cataracts (Tibetan Medicine)
-“It clears the eyes, opens the passage through the nine orifices”. (Ben Jing)
5. Externally:
-Styptic, cleansing and binding
-slightly corrosive and biting (Dioscorides)
-Used for virulent ulcers; applied with Brandy to Ulcers (Salmon)
-it ‘wears off scars’
-represses fleshy excrescences,
-Sore Throat (TCM)
-Used topically for diseases of the head (Ebers Papyrus)
-disperses Tumors (Ebers Papyrus)
-promotes Hair growth (Tibetan Medicine)
-‘amulet against the Syncope, Pains, Ruptures, Bruises, and falls from high places’. (Salmon)
-applied topically to Spasms (Salmon)
Dose:
Prepared Powder: 200–500mg
6–12 grains was said to purge.
Comment:
1. Malachite is generally used as Azurite, both being composed primarily of Copper carbonate. It appears Malachite was regarded as stronger by classical Physicians, whereas Azurite was used more by the Arabs, which followed through into European use. Azurite tends to transform into the more stable Malachite.
2. “Malachite is a Yin stone. It grows in copper mines. In fact, it is the ancestral Qi of copper. When copper is endowed with the Qi of purple Yang it grows a green. the green after a long time becomes a stone which is called “stone green” (Shi Lu). Copper grows amidst it”. (Li Shi Zhen)
Substitute:
Purges like Antimony and may be used instead of it. (Boetius)
Preparation:
1. It is best to wash it well, as is done with Azurite, when used internally. This removes irritant salts that can cause nausea and vomiting.
2. It can be burned by powdering, putting it in an earthen vessel and heating on coals, stirring it well until it changes color. (Dioscorides)
3. “It must be soaked and boiled in wine and vinegar prior to being used”. (Xu Zhi Cai)
4. An old Chinese method of preparation involves taking equal parts of Mallow herb, Licorice and Ganoderma Ling Zhi, cut into small pieces and put into a porcelain bowl. Lamellar Malachite pieces are placed on top along with water and the whole is boiled gently for 5 days and nights (topping up the water as needed). Remove the Malachite, wash well, powder and keep for use.
Main Combinations:
1. Wind-Phlegm:
i. with Dizziness and Heart pressure, going 2 qian (6 grams) Malachite with 3 or 4 small pieces of Borneo Camphor, and give it with Mint juice and Wine. Ask the patient to lie on their back and in a short while saliva will flow from his mouth “and he will be cured. This is achieved without vomiting. The effects are faster than those of other medication. Nowadays, the people resort to it often, always with good results”. (Su Song)
ii. Malachite, Sal Ammoniac (to cause vomiting).
iii. Malachite, Aconitum Fu Zi, Scorpion (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
2. Acute Convulsions:
i. Malachite, Magnetite (TCM)
ii. Malachite, Calomel, Mint juice (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
3. Epilepsy, Malachite, Mustard seed, Juniper, Myrrh Turpentine (Ebers Papyrus),
4. Pterygium, Malachite with Aloe (topically) (Ebers Papyrus)
5. Blurred Vision, soak a small piece of Malachite in dew overnight, then drip the liquid into the eyes. (TCM)
6. Eye diseases from Wind-Heat, take Malachite (Lamellar) (4 liang), Vitex seed Man Jiang Zi, White Ginger, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng (2 liang ea.), Powder and insert a little into the patients nose. “This will have an immediate effect”. (He Ji Ju Fang)
7. Topically for Sores in Infants, Malachite, Angelica Bai Zhi (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
8. Sores of the ears, Malachite, Realgar, Scutellaria Huang Qin, powder and apply. (Wei Sheng Bao Jian)
9. Cancer of the Tongue, Malachite and Alum (equal parts); powder finely and apply topically. (TCM)
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
1. Not used in marked weakness or during Pregnancy.
2. Avoid overdose.
Main Preparations used:
Prepared Mineral
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