Realgar, also known as Shihuang or Jiguan Stone, is a mineral of realgar, a sulfide. Its main component is arsenic disulfide, and it also contains small amounts of other heavy metal salts. Realgar is warm in nature, with a bitter taste and toxic properties. It enters the heart, liver, and stomach meridians, and has the effects of drying dampness, dispelling wind, killing parasites, and detoxification. It is used to treat scabies, alopecia, boils, carbuncles, infantile malnutrition, waist pain, tetanus, snake and insect bites, axillary odor, perianal abscess, asthma, laryngeal obstruction, epilepsy, hemorrhoids, and anal fistula. Realgar is toxic and is often finely ground into powder for external use. When taken internally, it is usually made into pills or powders. Be aware that there are counterfeit products on the market that claim to be realgar, so be sure to identify them carefully when using.
Real Realgar
It is irregular in shape, with varying sizes. The whole piece is dark red or orange-red, and the surface is often covered with orange-yellow powder. Among them, those with bright red color, semi-transparency, and gloss are called "ming xiong," "xiong jing," or "yao huang," which are of better quality. The whole piece is heavy, crisp, and fragile, with a rough, bright red fracture surface. When ground into powder, it has small crystals and a granular texture when squeezed by hand. It has a slight peculiar smell and a mild taste. It melts easily when burned, turning into a reddish-purple liquid and emitting yellow-white smoke with a strong garlic odor. It solidifies into a reddish-purple solid after cooling.
Counterfeit Cinnabar
It is an orange-red or yellow-red powder made from processed lead. Its component is lead oxide. It has a striking resemblance to realgar powder, but it lacks crystals and feels smooth when squeezed by hand. It has a subtle smell and no peculiar odor. It tastes spicy. It does not melt when burned. If it is burned on a matchstick, dense tiny lead particles can be seen, but there is no flame or smoke, nor is there a peculiar odor.
Modern pharmacological research shows that when realgar is burned and smoked with Artemisia leaf, Acorus calamus, and other herbs, it has a good bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. When combined with betel nut, Aconitum, cinnamon, and other herbs, it has an anti-schistosomiasis effect. Counterfeit cinnabar does not possess these effects, so it cannot be used as a substitute for realgar in medicine. If mistakenly used, it not only delays treatment but also causes adverse reactions and consequences. Careful identification is necessary when using it.
