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Born from the yin qi of earth, it has a bitter and sweet taste, is cold in nature, and is non-toxic. Those with luster like a rooster's comb are considered superior. It specifically enters the Liver and Heart meridians.
With its properties of sweet-cold to cool blood, heavy to settle, and detoxifying, it allows the "Monarch" (Heart/Shen) to remain ethereal and clear while dark pathogens are repelled; Liver qi becomes harmonious, and diseases such as hot blood and blood stasis are naturally eliminated. Sweet-cold transforms toxins, and heaviness descending expels the fetus. The vigorous fire recedes, the mild fire arises, and the previously atrophied yin fluids can naturally recover.

Dai Zhe Shi (Hematite), enters the Shaoyang Sanjiao and Jueyin Liver meridians. It treats women's leukorrhea and metrorrhagia, as well as difficult labor with retained placenta; it cures pediatric malnutrition with diarrhea and dysentery, convulsions and epilepsy, hematuria, and involuntary urination; it dispels wind and insect toxins, kills ghostly affections and demonic essences, treats impotence; it resolves fright qi entering the abdomen, nourishes blood and qi, and eliminates heat in the blood of the five zang organs, blood bi, and blood stasis.

Main indications (Combined Reference on Smallpox and Rashes): Utilizing its sweet-cold, heavy, settling nature, along with its ability to detoxify and cool blood, it is also used after smallpox.

It forms salinity by absorbing the qi of silver and copper. It has a salty and pungent taste, is neutral in nature, and has slight toxicity. With its pungent-dispersing and salty-softening properties, it serves the need to remove damp-heat and resolve stagnation, treating chronic dysentery and the five types of hemorrhoids. However, genuine specimens are rare; if formed at the bottom of a silver-smelting furnace, it contains nitre and copper qi that can corrode various substances, making it unsuitable for internal use, applicable only externally.
Mi Tuo Seng (Litharge), those that show gold color when crushed are superior. It is mostly incorporated into plasters, stops chronic dysentery, treats hemorrhoids, removes vitiligo, cures various sores, smooths nasal wrinkles, and heals metal wounds. Mixed with tung oil for application, it treats osteomyelitis with exuding bone fragments. (Osteomyelitis with exuding bone fragments refers to bone abscesses where fine bones occasionally emerge. This occurs when the mother, within the first month of conception, engages in sexual intercourse with close relatives, absorbing their essence, thus giving rise to the name "multi-bone." Applying a mixture of Mi Tuo Seng powder and ground asphalt cures it.)
Main indications (Combined Reference on Smallpox and Rashes): Treats smallpox scars on the face. Grind this finely, mix with water, apply at night, and wash off at dawn to restore smoothness.

Pu Xiao (Mirabilite/Prima Facie Niter) is the product of the first decoction, hence its purgative qi and flavor are more intense than Mang Xiao (Refined Mirabilite). Mang Xiao is formed by re-decocting Pu Xiao. Hence it is said to be born from Bu Xiao. Born from the extreme yin and cold qi of heaven and earth, it has a bitter and pungent taste and is greatly cold in nature. It is the essence of Taiyin, possessing the nature to dissolve substances; thus, it can dissolve metals and stones, let alone accumulations in the five zang organs! Furthermore, pungency disperses, bitterness descends, saltiness softens hardness, and coldness clears heat. Why worry that accumulated heat and hardness will not be pushed away and dissipated? Xuan Ming Fen (Purified Mirabilite) is obtained by refining Mang Xiao again until salty; its color is crystal white, taste is pungent and salty, nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Hand Shaoyin, Foot Jueyin, and Yangming meridians. Its general function is to dissipate nodules, soften hardness, and purge heat, serving the needs of dry feces, congealed phlegm, and retained food. Its power is slightly milder than Mang Xiao, truly suitable for those with weak constitutions.
Pu Xiao: Blue-white ones are superior; yellow-red ones should not be taken. For poison from various mineral drugs, it can transform accumulations in the six fu organs, drive out dry feces, push out the old and bring forth the new, reduce carbuncles and swellings, drain pus, disperse toxins, ward off epidemic dysentery, break stagnant blood and closure in the viscera, treat mania due to Cold Damage, and resolve retained phlegm causing fullness. All kinds of excess heat can be thoroughly purged. It is also good at inducing abortion, so pregnant women should avoid it.
Mang Xiao, due to repeated decoction and refining, crystallizes into needle-like structures when poured into basins. It effectively reduces phlegm masses, regulates menstruation, and can be applied to treat lacquer dermatitis. It can induce delivery in difficult labor with retained placenta, cleanse the heart and liver, brighten the eyes, purify the intestines and stomach, and relieve pain. Feng Hua Xiao (Weathered Niter): Taking its lightness without downward descent, it is a rapid formula for transforming stubborn phlegm in those who consume rich foods. Xuan Ming Fen, containing yang within yin, is indeed a wonderful agent for the elderly and weak to gently dispel deficient heat, and a divine pill for retained phlegm and stagnation. It moistens dryness, pushes out the old to bring forth the new, washes the eyes, reduces swelling, and brightens vision.
Main indications (Combined Reference on Smallpox and Rashes): Pu Xiao should only be used cautiously when smallpox initially appears with severe heat, constipation of both bowels and bladder, and stifling irritability bordering on death; it must not be administered lightly.