What substance does realgar belong to and what is its function

Many people know about realgar probably because of realgar wine, which is one of the customs of the Dragon Boat Festival in some areas. Realgar is a mineral that can also be used as a traditional Chinese medicine. So what kind of substance is realgar and what are its functions?

Realgar, α-As4S4, also known as realgar, golden stone, and cockscomb stone, is a sulfur and arsenic-containing ore. It is soft and brittle, usually in granular form, compact blocks, or powder, and its streak is light orange-red. Realgar is mainly produced in low-temperature hydrothermal deposits, and often coexists with orpiment (As2S3), stibnite, and cinnabar; realgar produced in hot spring sediments and sulfur volcanic fumarole sediments often coexists with orpiment. Insoluble in water and hydrochloric acid, soluble in nitric acid, the solution is yellow. If exposed to sunlight, it will turn into yellow orpiment and arsenic, so it should be stored away from light to avoid weathering. When heated to a certain temperature, it can be oxidized in the air into the highly toxic ingredient arsenic trioxide, also known as arsenic.

The role of realgar

(1) It has anti-tumor effects, can inhibit the growth of transplanted mouse sarcoma S-180, and has a corrosive effect on cells.

(2) After absorption, it has antispasmodic and analgesic effects on nerves; it has insecticidal effects both inside and outside the body. The water extract has different degrees of inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, human tuberculosis bacteria, Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and various skin fungi.

(3) After intestinal absorption, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and even convulsions. Chronic poisoning can damage the physiological functions of the liver and kidneys.

Pungent, bitter, and neutral. poisonous. It enters the heart, liver, spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians.

It can eliminate toxins and fight cancer, eliminate phlegm and calm the nerves, kill insects and treat sores, and reduce inflammation and swelling.