Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Realgar |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 雄黃 · Xiong Huang |
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| Medicinal Part | Minerals |
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| Efficacy Category | Toxin-attacking |
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| Botanical Origin | The mineral realgar, primarily composed of (As 2 S 2 ). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Warm; Toxic |
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| Channels Entered | Heart, Liver, Stomach |
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What Is Xiong Huang?
Xiong Huang (Realgar) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Warm; Toxic
Channels Entered: Heart, Liver, Stomach
Xiong Huang: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Realgar
Botanical Origin
The mineral realgar, primarily composed of (As 2 S 2 ).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is large, red, loose and brittle.
Macroscopic Features
Monoclinic, single crystal is thin and small cylindrical, needle-like, but rare to see; often dense granular or lump-shaped. Orange-red, streak mark is pale orange-red. Diamond-like luster, fractured surface has resin-like luster. Hardness is 1.5~2, density is 3.5~3.6g/cm 3 . Brittle texture, low melting point. When heated with charcoal, it produces white smoke that smells like garlic. When exposed to the sun, it turns into yellow ci huang (As 2 S 3 ) and Arsenite, does not dissolve in water and hydrochloric acid, can be dissolved in nitric acid, yellow solution.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; Warm; ToxicHeartLiverStomach
Traditional Functions
Resolves toxin, kills worms, dries dampness, transforms phlegm, interrupts malaria. Apply to swelling abscess and sore, snake and insect bites, worm accumulation and abdominal pain, convulsion, malaria.
How Xiong Huang Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Xiong Huang is classified among the Toxin-attacking herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Xiong Huang are traditionally used for:
FeverHeadacheAnxiety RestlessnessPoor Sleep Quality
Classical Formulas Containing Xiong Huang
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Xiong Huang? Are orpiment and cinnabar the same?
Official Xiong Huang (雄黄) is the mineral realgar of the realgar family, mainly arsenic disulfide. The pharmacopoeial name is Realgar, and it is toxic. Orpiment is arsenic trisulfide. Cinnabar is sweet-cold and toxic: clears the Heart, settles fright, calms the spirit and resolves toxin. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Xiong Huang. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Xiong Huang?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Xiong Huang is acrid, warm and toxic, enters the Liver and Large Intestine channels, and acts to resolve toxin, kill parasites, dry dampness, dispel phlegm and interrupt malaria. It is used for abscesses and sores, snake and insect bites, worm accumulation with abdominal pain, fright epilepsy, and malaria. Acrid-warm and toxic, it suits external use or short courses in pills—not prolonged internal use, or pregnancy.
How do you choose raw versus water-levigated realgar? Can cinnabar replace it?
Raw mineral is more toxic and is mostly external. Water levigation reduces toxicity. Cinnabar is sweet-cold and leans to settling fright and calming the spirit; it cannot replace killing parasites and resolving toxin by equal weight. Commercial realgar powder is not equal-weight pieces; self-administration by mouth is strictly forbidden.
Learn More About Xiong Huang
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Xiong Huang.
Read the Xiong Huang Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
