Fertility
Ge Hong, an ancient Chinese scholar, physician, and alchemist, is renowned for his contributions to Traditional Chinese Medicine, including the development of first aid techniques. One of his notable findings involved the medicinal benefits of cinnabar. Ge Hong believed that cinnabar possessed various healing properties. In addition to formulating a pill for eternal life using cinnabar and gold, he also conducted research on sexual health. According to his studies, the combination of cinnabar and raspberry juice was believed to enhance fertility in older men.
However, modern-day scientific research has revealed a contrasting viewpoint. Studies now suggest that the ingestion of mercury, which is present in cinnabar, may actually be linked to infertility. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution and consult with healthcare professionals before considering any remedies involving cinnabar or mercury.
Treating Syphilis
Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, contracting a sexually transmitted disease was often a fatal outcome. Among all the diseases, syphilis was particularly notorious for its lethal consequences. This dire situation prompted a frantic search for a cure. Numerous physicians were drawn to the purported healing properties of mercury and began using it as a treatment for syphilis. Unfortunately, this approach often resulted in the patient being poisoned by the mercury. The physicians would then attribute the poisoning to the syphilis itself. Over time, the connection between syphilis and mercury poisoning prompted doctors to conduct extensive research on the topic.