Are realgar and orpiment the same thing?

Realgar is different from orpiment. The difference between the two is that:

1, the chemical composition is different. Orpiment is arsenic trisulfide (As2S3), and realgar is the common name of arsenic tetrasulfide (As4S4).

2. Different colors and shapes. Orpiment is crimson or orange-red, with light orange stripes and diamond-like luster on the crystal face. Crisp and fragile, the cracked mask has a resinous luster. It has a slight odor and a light taste. Concentrate powder is powder or powder aggregate, which is loose. Crispy, crushed into powder, orange-yellow, dull.

Realgar is usually orange granular solid or orange powder, which is soft and fragile. Orpiment contains two forms: mineral and medicine. Part of Chinese medicine is sulfide mineral orpiment, which is an irregular block or granular aggregate. Realgar is a granular solid or powder.

Extended data:

Medicinal value of realgar;

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

2. It has spasmolytic and analgesic effects on nerves after absorption; It has insecticidal effect both in vivo and in vitro. The aqua has inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, human tuberculosis, Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and various skin fungi to varying degrees.

3. Intestinal absorption can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and even convulsions. Chronic poisoning can damage the physiological functions of liver and kidney.

Realgar has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. The treatment of scabies with realgar was mentioned in Fifty-two Diseases Prescription of Han Dynasty. In modern times, realgar is still widely introduced into Chinese patent medicines, such as Niuhuang Jiedu Pill, Angong Niuhuang Pill, Niuhuang Qingxin Pill and Liushen Pill. It is found that realgar also has bactericidal and antitumor effects, and can be used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia, scabies, leprosy, skin cancer and other serious diseases.

However, in view of the great toxicity of realgar, Chinese medicine is very cautious about its clinical use. Chinese medicine pays attention to symptoms, even if the clinical manifestations are similar, the medication may vary widely. Never take it blindly because the drug instructions show symptoms. It must be used under the guidance of professional Chinese medicine practitioners.

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