• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.87-92
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the constituents of Pyrolusitum, which was used to eliminate static blood and inflammation, to establish the basis of clinical application. Methods: Qualitative analysis was performed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) using the sample as a powder, and the elemental content of granular sample was measured by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). 1 M hydrochloric acid and 5% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution were added to observe the changing shape, respectively. Results: Qualitative analysis by XRD revealed that the Pyrolusitum samples used in the study contained quarts and kaolinite. Quantitative analysis by XRF revealed that the manganese content in the samples used in the study was 6.16% on average, while iron was contained the highest amount of 22.99%. The minor constituents include 1.08% of titanium, 0.30% of barium, 0.18% of lead, 0.06% of zirconium, 0.05% of chromium, 0.04% of zinc, 0.03% of cadnium, 0.02% of nickel, 0.01% of arsenic, 0.01% of copper, 0.01% of rubidium, 0.01% of strontium, 0.00% of molybdenum, respectively. And cobalt, which is reported to be a constituent of Pyrolusitum, was not detected at all in the samples of the study. Pyrolusitum was dissolved in dark brown when it was put into 1 M hydrochlorid acid, and there was brown precipitate when sodium hydroxide solution was added to Pyrolusitum and stirred. Conclusions: It was found that manganese and iron were the major constituents of Pyrolusitum, and it could be identified by using concentrated hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution.