The use of iron oxides in Chinese Medicine: 磁石 and 代赭石
By admin • Aug 7th, 2007 • Category: Herbs & Substances, UncategorizedOxides of iron are part of two oft-used decoction ingredients 磁石 and 代赭石.
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First, a short introduction to iron:
Iron is the most magnetic of three naturally magnetic elements; the other two are cobalt and nickel.
The principle ores of iron are:
- Hematite aka Fe2O3: it contains 70% iron
- Magnetite aka Fe3O4: it contains 72% iron
Taconite is a low-grade iron ore containing up to 30% Magnetite and Hematite.
Source: mii.org
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Next, a comparison chart regarding the two herbs:
| 磁石 | 代赭石 | |
| Description: | - main component is 四氧化三铁 (Fe3O4) aka magnetite - composed also of 三氧化二铁 Fe2O3 hematite and 氧化亚铁 FeO also exist as well as other trace metals. | - main component is 三氧化二铁 (Fe2O3) aka hematite - composed also of other trace elements including 铅 (lead), 砷 (arsenic), 钛 (titatium) |
| Uses: | - is able to inhibit the CNS, hence can 镇静、抗惊厥 | - suppresses the CNS |
| - after it’s been treated, its abets the action of 异戊巴比妥纳 (pheno barbital sodium, used to treat epilepsy) and can lengthen the duration of sleep in lab mice | - promotes intestinal movement (increase peristalsis) | |
| - it extended the dormant period before the effect of 土的宁stiychnine occured to induce spasm in lab mice | - promotes production of Hb and RBC | |
| Source: 中国人民出版社，中药 | ||