It refers to Cinnabar of sulfide type, mainly containing mercuric sulfide. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the areas of Hunan, Sichuan, and Yunnan, etc. and mined at any time. The mineral is refined into powder with water for medication after impurity of stone is removed.

Medicinal Properties: Sweet in flavor, cold in nature, toxic and attributive to the heart meridian.

Actions: Relieve palpitation and calm the mind, clear away heat and remove toxic materials.

Application
1. It is used for irritability, restless fever and insomnia due to hyperactivity of heart-fire, it is usually combined with Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis ) and Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae); for those companied with deficiency of heart-blood,  Danggui  (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) and Dihuang ( Radix Rehmanniae ) are added again; for palpitation due to fear or heart-deficiency, it can be put in pig's heart and cooked for oral use.
2. It is used for pyocutaneous disease and sore throat. For pyocutaneous disease, it is used together with Xionghuang (Realgar), such as Zijin Ding (Troche); for sore throat and aphthae due to heat, used together with Bingpian ( Borneolum Syntheticum ), Pengsha ( Borax), etc., for external use, such as Bing Peng San (Powder).

Usage and Dosage: 0.1 - 0.5 g of the powder is used in pill or powder form. Just right amount is for external use.

Notes: Over dosage and prolonged administration should be avoided to prevent patients from being poisoned by mercury. The medicine is used with caution in cases with incomplete function of the liver and kidneys. It can not be calcined with fire, otherwise mercury can be separated out, which is extremely toxic.