Zi Yun Gao (Purple Cloud Ointment)

Traditional / formula basis

• Zi Yun Gao is a classical Chinese external ointment documented in Wai Ke Zheng Zong (外科正宗) under another name (Run Ji Gao / 润肌膏) and later evolved into its more widely known form. Wikipedia
• Its canonical ingredients (in many formulations) include:
• Zi Cao / 紫草 (Lithospermum genus, root)
• Dang Gui / 当归 (Angelica sinensis root)
• Sesame oil / 麻油
• Beeswax / 蜜蜡 (or yellow wax)
• (Some versions may include small amounts of other herbs or modifiers) Wikipedia
• The preparation principle is typically to infuse the active herbs (Zi Cao, Dang Gui) in the oil medium (sesame oil or similar) under gentle heat, extract the lipid-soluble constituents, then mix with wax to form a stable ointment base. Wikipedia
• Because all the raw components are edible (or at least not overtly toxic in small amounts), classical sources often comment that accidental small ingestion is low risk (though that does not mean it is safe in large doses or internal use) Wikipedia

From the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) viewpoint:

• It is considered to clear “heat and toxicity,” resolve sores, relieve pain, promote the formation of new flesh (生肌), and act in wound healing / tissue regeneration contexts. Wikipedia
• The formula is said to combine “invigorate blood / supplement blood” (from Dang Gui) with “clearing heat / detoxify / astringing / promote repair” (from Zi Cao) in a moistening, emollient base (oil + wax) that also protects and supports skin recovery. TCM Taiwan
• In Japanese Kampo tradition, Shiunko is regarded as one of several classic topical formulas for wound healing, using sesame oil + wax as the base and herbal extracts for bioactivity. jidonline.org

From modern pharmacological / mechanistic hints:

• The root Lithospermum spp. (Zi Cao) contains naphthoquinone derivatives, especially shikonin and its analogs (e.g. deoxyshikonin), which have been studied for anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and angiogenesis / wound repair properties. Wikipedia
• For example, a study titled Beneficial Effects of Deoxyshikonin on Delayed Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice showed that deoxyshikonin (a derivative of the Lithospermum extract) enhanced angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and had antioxidant effects, which are relevant in wound healing. MDPI
• The Shiunko fibroblast study (Chak, Hsiao, Chen, 2013) used fibroblast cell culture to show that Shiunko can influence wound-healing–related proteins, extracellular matrix, and other molecular pathways relevant to skin repair. SAGE Journals
• Animal experiments suggest Shiunko accelerates epithelialization in wounds on rats (i.e. covering of bare areas with new epidermis) under certain conditions. eurekamag.com
• In a pressure ulcer (ischemia-reperfusion) mouse model, “Zi Yun Ointment” (likely a variant) reduced reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-1β, IL-6), and altered expression of NADPH oxidase, adhesion molecules, and ECM factors, thereby accelerating wound healing. koreascience.kr

Thus, the theoretical (and partially experimentally supported) mechanisms by which Zi Yun Gao might help in minor burns / skin injury include:

1. Anti-inflammatory / reduction of “heat / toxicity” — moderating local inflammatory cytokines or oxidative stress.
2. Antimicrobial / antibacterial action (through shikonin derivatives) or inhibitory effect on pathogens colonizing wounds.
3. Promotion of angiogenesis / fibroblast activity / epithelialization (i.e. stimulating new tissue growth).
4. Moisture retention / protective barrier — the oil + wax base helps keep the wound environment moist, protect from external contamination, and reduce desiccation.
5. Support of granulation / “flesh generating” (生肌) in TCM language — analogous to promoting granulation tissue formation and remodeling.

Below are common instructions and caveats drawn from vendor literature, TCM references, and clinical-style sources. Always confirm with a qualified medical / herbal practitioner in your locale, and ensure local wound care standards are followed (sterility, monitoring, etc.).

1. External use only (topical)

• Zi Yun Gao is meant for application to the skin surface or covered wound areas only. yixue.com
• Do not apply to large open wounds or deep burns without medical supervision (see warnings below).

Wound preparation / cleaning

• Before applying, the burn area should be cleaned (e.g. with sterile saline) and gently dried or blotted to a damp, clean state.
• Remove debris, necrotic tissue, or lid / dead skin that is loose (as per standard wound care) before application. Some vendors indicate one should maintain the area in a “greasy moist” state to allow absorption. Singapore Paincare TCM Wellness

Application frequency / dosage

• Apply a suitable amount of Zi Yun Gao to cover the affected area, not too thickly but enough to maintain a moist film. Several vendor instructions say “apply a few times per day” (e.g. “apply few times per day to the affected area” from the SunTen product page) sunten.com.my
• Another vendor (Singapore Paincare TCM Wellness) says “apply to affected area several times a day, maintain a greasy moisture state for prolonged absorption.” Singapore Paincare TCM Wellness
• Some references (e.g. the Chinese “医学百科” entry) state: “外用适量，摊于纱布上贴患处，每日换药一次” i.e. apply a proper amount, spread on gauze, place on wound, change dressing once per day. yixue.com
• In many clinical / TCM references, daily dressing change is common, unless wound exudate demands more frequent changes. yixue.com

Dressing / covering

• Often in practice, after applying the ointment, one covers with sterile gauze (or nonadherent dressing) to protect and allow the ointment to stay in contact with the skin. Some vendor instructions explicitly mention “bind the affected area with gauze to protect it” (SunTen) sunten.com.my
• Keep the dressing clean; replace when saturated or contaminated.

Duration / monitoring

• Continue application until the wound has epithelialized and is stable (i.e. no open skin).
• Monitor for signs of infection (increasing pain, redness, swelling, purulence) — if these occur, seek medical care.
• Stop use if irritation or worsening occurs. Many vendor disclaimers say “discontinue use in case of irritation.” rababalamin.com

Storage

• Because the wax and oil base is temperature-sensitive, store in a cool, dry place, shielded from strong heat or light, to avoid melting or degradation. PinMed
• Some sources mention shelf life of ~3 years under proper storage (but check product packaging). PinMed

Precautions in application

• Avoid applying on mucous membranes, eyes, or internal body cavities.
• Avoid contact with broken, heavily exudative wounds unless under professional supervision.
• Be careful of staining (its purple/red pigment may color light fabrics) picturehealer.com
• In children, pregnant women, or sensitive populations, use with caution (see warnings). Some vendor sites advise consultation if pregnant or breastfeeding. rababalamin.com

In summary: for a minor burn (i.e. first-degree or very superficial second-degree), one would clean the area, dry lightly, apply a thin layer of Zi Yun Gao, cover with a dressing, and reapply 2–4 times daily (or per wound exudate) until healed, watching for any adverse reaction.

Relevant studies or reports

Shiunko fibroblast / proteomics study (Chak, Hsiao, Chen 2013)

• This in vitro study used cultured human fibroblasts and used proteomic / bioinformatics methods to explore how Shiunko modulates proteins related to wound healing. They identified certain protein factors that may contribute to wound repair. SAGE Journals
• While this is mechanistic (cell-level), it is not a clinical trial of burns per se.

Deoxyshikonin / Lithospermum extract in animal wound healing

• The Beneficial Effects of Deoxyshikonin (in International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018) is an animal (mouse) study showing improved healing in impaired wound (diabetic) models, via promoting angiogenesis and antioxidant activity. MDPI
• This supports that a key constituent in Zi Cao has pro-wound healing activity under challenging conditions.

Shiunko wound epithelialization in rats

• Some animal wound (cut injury) models have shown that applying Shiunko accelerates the re-epithelialization of damaged skin (in rats). eurekamag.com

Exploratory phase II trial of Shiunko (cutaneous leishmaniasis)

• A controlled trial in Ethiopia in 40 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (skin lesions) comparing Shiunko ointment vs placebo, applied twice daily for 4 weeks, showed some clinical efficacy and was considered safe in that context. Wiley Online Library
• While leishmaniasis lesions are not burns, this offers some human evidence for wound / lesion repair potential.

Review of 紫草 external preparations

• A Chinese review article “紫草制剂外用治疗皮肤病的临床及实验研究进展” (Progress of Clinical and Experimental Studies of Topical Zi Cao Preparations) discusses many studies, including usage in burns, ulcers, skin lesions, eczema, etc. It mentions in animal and clinical studies that certain “紫草烧伤膏” (Zi Cao burn ointment variants) promoted scab formation, reduced exudation, and had anti-inflammatory effects in burn models. bjtcm.net
• It also cites a clinical study in human burn patients: e.g. one study of 60 patients with deep partial-thickness burns: 30 patients in treatment group using 紫草膏 vs 30 in control using a “Megao” (a moist burn dressing) — the 紫草 group had a higher healing rate and shorter healing time (14.28 ± 3.53 days vs control). bjtcm.net
• But note: those are “紫草膏” (Zi Cao–based burn ointments), not exactly classical Zi Yun Gao in all cases; formulations differ.

Pressure ulcer (bedsores) prophylaxis / risk reduction

• A recent observational study (2024) in elderly long-term bedridden patients used a compound Zi Yun Gao ointment as part of preventive care, comparing to standard care, and found a statistically significantly lower incidence of pressure ulcers in the group using the ointment (though this is not a burn context) hanspub.org

Korean study on Zi Yun Ointment in pressure ulcer (mouse model)

• The study mentioned earlier in The Effect of Zi Yun Ointment on Wound Healing in a Murine Pressure Ulcer Model (2025) demonstrated in mice that Zi Yun Ointment reduced ROS and inflammatory cytokines and improved healing parameters. koreascience.kr

Kampo / Traditional ointment reviews

• The review “Kampo traditional ointments for wound healing” (Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2023) discusses Shiunko as among the classical ointments used in Japanese/Kampo medicine for wounds and skin repair, and summarizes (though often in broad or historical terms) that it is considered therapeutic in skin injury. jidonline.org
• Another recent article “Harnessing traditional Chinese medicine for wound healing and modern innovation” (2025) discusses traditional formulations such as Shiunko in the modern context of wound healing (burns, abrasions, incisions) and their mechanistic potential. ScienceDirect