Arsenolite, Pi Shi 砒石
Arsenicum
Pi Shi, Pi Shuang (TCM)
Sammul Far (Unani)
Arsenolite
Photo by Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com
Minerological name:
Arsenic trioxide, As2O3
Two types are use:
1. Natural Arsenolite ores
2. or from the oxidation of arsenic sulphides, including arsenopyrite, realgar or orpiment
Parts used:
Prepared Mineral
Red and White varieties are known. the white being preferred medicinally.
Temperature & Taste:
Hot, dry. Bitter, Sour. Highly Toxic
Uses:
1. Resists Poison, Stops Itching, Kills Parasites:
-Chronic Dysentery or Severe Diarrhea
-Malaria
-Tinea, Scabies, toxic Sores (topically)
2. Resists Poison, Resolves Masses:
–Scrofula, Tumors
-Cancers, including Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, Gastric Cancers, Esophageal Cancer, Cervical Cancer etc.
3. Clears Phlegm, Stops Asthma:
-wheezing, asthma from Cold Phlegm
4. Emetic
-formerly used as an emetic (not used like this any more)
5. Externally:
-Hemorrhoids
-Fistula
-Boils, Abscesses, Carbuncles
-Scrofula, swollen nodes, Tumors, Cancers
-applied topically over the cheek for swollen gums (Ben Cao Gang mu)
-it is also used to raise blisters
Dose:
1. Begin with smaller doses, increasing as needed.
2. Usually used for a maximum of 2–3 weeks, then have a break for 7–10 days.
Of the Prepared Powder: 2–4 mg., increased as needed.
Substitute:
Realgar or Orpiment are used similarly and are safer, although still toxic.
Preparation:
In Unani it is processed by being triturated with fresh Lemon juice until completely absorbed. This is repeated 7 times with fresh juice.
Main Combinations:
1. Cancer:
i. Arsenolite (15 grams), Croton seed (peeled and ground), Chinese Date (Da Zao), Allium fistulosum bulb (steamed and beaten) (of each 7). Mix well, put in 2 little sacks and get the patient to hold them for 12 hours per days. Used for Nasopharyngeal, Esophageal, Rectocancer, and Cervical Cancer.
ii. Gastric Cancer, Arsenolite, Realgar, Arisaema Tian Nan Xing, Wasp Nest (Feng Fang), Toad Venom, Rhubarb, Nux Vomica. These are mixed with Sesame oil into a paste to be applied to the navel, repeated often over an extended period.
iii. Liposarcoma, White Arsenolite, Sulphur (equal parts). Melt together over a fire, and powder when cold. The skin of the Tumor is pricked and the powder applied, covering with a plaster.
2. Malaria, Arsenolite, Yellow Lead, Mung Bean (Ben Cao Gang mu)
3. Scrofula, apply Arsenolite with Ink powder (Ben Cao Gang mu)
4. Abscess, deep-rooted Carbuncles, Toxic Sores, Arsenolite is combined with Orpiment (topically)
5. Scabies, Tinea, combined Arsenolite with Sulphur and Calomel
6. Hemorrhoids, apply Arsenolite with calcined Alum
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
1. Extremely Toxic. Avoid overdose. Overdose can be fatal.
2. Contraindicated in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.
3. Not used in alcohol preparations (tinctures etc.)
Toxicity:
Arsenic Trioxide is highly bioavailable, making it far more toxic than the Arsenic sulphides (Realgar and Orpiment) which are poorly absorbed having only about %4 bioavailability. Toxic effects are as for Realgar, but with lower doses required.
