Lu Gan Shi (炉甘石) is calamine, a zinc carbonate mineral, recorded as Calamina. It is sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Liver and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the substances for external application.

Pinyin

lu gan shi

Chinese

炉甘石

Latin Name

Calamina

English Name

calamine·calamine; smithsonite·smithsonite

Japanese

rokanseki

Korean

nogamseok

Actions and indications

Brightens the eyes and removes superficial visual obstruction

Superficial obstruction of vision, such as a corneal film or nebula, with red, swollen eyes and pterygium
Red eyes from rising Liver Fire
Excessive tearing and sensitivity to light, applied as an ultra-fine powder in eye washes, drops or ointments

Dries Damp, generates flesh and stops itching

Open sores draining pus over a long period
Wounds that heal poorly; can be used alone
Weeping, itchy Damp skin lesions such as eczema, as a dusting powder or paste
Hemorrhoids and burns, as one ingredient among others in classical topical formulas

Combinations

hai piao xiao + peng sha

Calcined, as eye drops for many kinds of eye problems

hai piao xiao + peng sha + zhu sha

Calcined, as less sticky eye drops for various eye problems

peng sha + zhu sha + she xiang

General eye problems.

qing dai + huang bai + duan shi gao

Damp sores with long-term oozing of pus

xiong dan + bing pian

Pterygium, and red, swollen, ulcerated eyes

xuan ming fen

Eye redness and swelling.

hai piao xiao

Excessive tearing.

duan long gu + duan shi gao + bing pian

Chronic ulcerations and eczema.

qing fen

Diaper rash, applied topically

duan long gu + duan shi gao

Chronic ulcers, applied topically in calcined form

glycerin + er gan chun

Topically for dermatitis.

er cha

Topically for genital ulcers.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 0.1-6g; External use only

0.1-6 g

—

Cautions

caution For external use only; never take internally

caution Near the eye, use only calcined, water-levigated (shui fei) powder that is ultra-fine and free of grit; coarse material can scratch or irritate the eye and skin

caution As a mined mineral its quality varies; choose properly processed material that meets heavy metal limits, and use it under a qualified practitioner, especially on the eye

lu gan shi

About lu gan shi

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Brightens the eyes and removes superficial visual obstruction

Dries Damp, generates flesh and stops itching

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions