Witnessed by: TCM
Glauber's salt (Mirabilite), of the sulfate mineral family. Colourless, glassy needle- or awn-shaped prismatic crystals and efflorescent crusts; native range: efflorescences and bedded crusts around salt lakes, playas and saline springs in arid country. Globally recognized as 芒硝 mang xiao, 朴硝 pu xiao, 玄明粉 xuan ming fen in Chinese, and Glauber's salt, mirabilite, sulphate of soda in English. The part used is the refined crystal (mang xiao), or the dried powder (xuan ming fen). Colourless and glass-clear in long needles, odourless, cool, bitter and saline on the tongue, dissolving readily and weathering to a white flour in dry air.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
GLAUBER'S SALT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Glauber's salt
- Scientific name
- Mirabilite (sodium sulphate decahydrate, Na₂SO₄·10H₂O)
- Family
- sulfate mineral
Form
- Part used
- the refined crystal (mang xiao), or the dried powder (xuan ming fen)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- salty · bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Stomach · Large Intestine
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- drains downward and purges accumulation with heat, softens and dissolves what is hard and dry, and clears heat and reduces swelling; externally it draws off swelling and heat
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy and lactation, deficiency without accumulation, and cold in the middle burner
- Toxicity
- a saline purge — free or repeated use drains water and salts and leaves the bowel dependent
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