Pharmacological Properties of Glauber's Salt on August 7, 1995

Pharmacological Properties of Glauber's Salt on August 7, 1995

This product is sodium sulfate decahydrate. Glauber's salt has similar effects to mirabilite but acts more gently; it is obtained by heating and refining mirabilite. Its functions of clearing heat, softening hard masses, and eliminating accumulation can be seen in formulas like Cheng Qi Tang and Da Xian Xiong Tang. However, its external application as a water-based solution for treating severe erysipelas and even infant oral thrush has not yet been fully explored. Previously, I used this medicine combined with warm water baths to treat suppurative hemorrhoids and thrombosis, achieving immediate results. Additionally, due to its cold and heavy nature, people often mistakenly confuse it with fire nitrate, which is a big mistake. External application can also help wean infants off breastfeeding. Fire nitrate refers to sodium nitrate, which, when combined with alum, forms nitre-alum stone powder—a mixture that can treat liver cirrhosis and ascites. What exactly is the "nitre" mentioned in the "Jin Gui Yao Lue"? Is it fire nitrate or glauber's salt? I have searched through numerous books on this topic and finally concluded that nitre refers to fire nitrate.