Kong Que Shi

Kong Que Shi (“peacock stone”) is a mineral substance, not a plant. It is malachite, a hydrated basic copper carbonate of composition Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂, formed as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper ore deposits. Specimens occur as banded, botryoidal, reniform, or fibrous masses of brilliant emerald to dark green color, with a silky to vitreous luster and a pale green streak; in section they show characteristic concentric color zoning. Chinese deposits are reported from Hubei, Guangdong, and Yunnan. In traditional Chinese medicine, finely powdered, water-levigated malachite has been used externally for skin lesions and historically internally in small, processed doses to calm fright and clear toxin. Internal use is now strongly discouraged because of copper toxicity; only external, well-prepared preparations should be considered, and only under qualified guidance.