Máng Xiāo (芒硝), known in English as Mirabilite/Glauber salt (Natrium sulfuricum), is a cold, salty and bitter Chinese herb from the Drain downward category. It enters the Stomach and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: purges accumulation, softens hardness.
| Pinyin | Máng Xiāo (Mang Xiao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 芒硝 |
| English | Mirabilite/Glauber salt |
| Botanical name | Natrium sulfuricum |
| Category | Drain downward |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Salty, Bitter |
| Channels | Stomach, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 6–12g (dissolved in strained decoction) |
| Cautions | Pregnancy; weak constitution; no accumulation |
Actions
- Purges accumulation, softens hardness
- Clears Heat, reduces swelling (topical)
Indications
- Heat accumulation constipation with dry stool (usually with Da Huang)
- Abscesses and breast lumps (topical)
How to remember Máng Xiāo
Drain downward herbs are mostly cool or cold and bitter, and most enter the Large Intestine and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Cold, Bitter, Stomach channel: like most Drain downward herbs
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Purges accumulation”
- Learn by heart
- Salty: unusual for Drain downward herbs (most are bitter)
Formulas containing Máng Xiāo
Other Drain downward herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Máng Xiāo?
Máng Xiāo is cold and salty and bitter.
Which channels does Máng Xiāo enter?
Máng Xiāo enters the Stomach and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Máng Xiāo?
Purges accumulation, softens hardness; Clears Heat, reduces swelling (topical).
What is Máng Xiāo used for?
Heat accumulation constipation with dry stool (usually with Da Huang); abscesses and breast lumps (topical).
Which formulas contain Máng Xiāo?
Táo Hé Chéng Qì Tāng.
Practise Máng Xiāo and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.