Zinc carbonate’s most important function is as zinc metal. This is what can be extracted from the mine. It is used as a protective layer for iron and steel products to prevent them from rusting. It is an alloy that can be used for agricultural, chemical, and paint purposes. It is also used in dry cell batteries, television screens, and fluorescent lamps.
Jewellery
Smithsonite can be used ornamentally. When it is polished into a gem, it exhibits a blue-green globular structure with a feathery shine. Copper impurities can often increase the attractiveness and value of the mineral. Sometimes, smithsonite is misrepresented as bonamite by vendors when sold as jewelry. Jade in its true form is not the same as smithsonite.
Health
Zinc is an essential mineral that is vital for both human and animal health. Zinc helps the body process nutrients and food as well as support the functioning of key enzymes. Zinc is essential for both skin and bone development, sexual maturation, and skin growth. In medicine, zinc carbonate scavengers also play an important role.
Smithsonite can be used to treat stomach and liver problems. A qualified practitioner should decide the amount and type of use for this mineral. The safety of smithsonite has not been assessed by the leading herbal medicine organizations.
Sphalerite, which is rich in zinc sulfide (and other minerals), is the most plentiful source.
Zinc deficiency or toxicity has been reviewed. Zinc supplementation lowers the risk of infection and improves the survival rate for elderly patients. Oral zinc sulfate has been used in many therapeutic areas, including dermatology.
However some of its original claims have been discredited, and only a few diseases have been proven to be caused by Zinc deficiency. For example, 45 mg of zinc oxide three times daily has been the recommended dosage. Zinc oxide can be used topically to protect and strengthen the skin. Zinc Chloride is used to desensitize dentine and as an astringent. Zinc sulfurate may be used occasionally as an ophthalmic astringent. As an anti-infective agent, zinc oxide is also used. Zinc can be found in some non-medicinal products, such as shampoos.
It is also useful as adjunctive therapy in the initial treatment for symptomatic patients. It works by stimulating intestinal cells and metallothionein to block copper absorption. A negative copper balance can be caused by blockade in food copper absorption and blockade in intestinal copper reabsorption. It can therefore be used to control copper concentrations and toxicity in Wilson’s disease.
Zinc is very toxic, and this is the main benefit over anti-copper agents. One side effect is an initial gastric irritation, which occurs in approximately 10% of patients. However, this often disappears and becomes minimal over time. Some patients may not comply with the long-term therapy. This is why it is important to monitor their 24-hour urine copper or zinc levels. Overtreatment can result in copper deficiencies that last for a long time, as with all anti-copper treatments. This should be avoided, especially in children, as copper is necessary for growth.