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Camellia flower (Shanchahua) is born by receiving Yang Qi, thus it blooms at the end of winter and beginning of spring. Its taste is sweet with a slight pungency, its nature is neutral with a slight coldness, its red color enters the Blood aspect, therefore it mainly treats hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), and intestinal wind-induced hematochezia (blood in stool). It is ground into powder, mixed with child's urine and wine, and taken after blending.

Kapok seed (Mumianzi) absorbs the Yang Qi from the earth and completes its formation by sensing the Metal Qi of autumn. Its taste is pungent, its nature is hot, and it possesses toxic properties. It enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. It is an herb that dispels Wind-Dampness and Cold-Dampness. Precisely because of its pungency, it can disperse Wind pathogenic factors; precisely because of its heat, it can eliminate Cold-Dampness. It is suitable for cases where Wind-Cold-Dampness pathogens affect the lower body. However, due to its hot nature and toxicity, it should not be used by those with Liver and Kidney deficiency. All conditions characterized by Yin deficiency with blazing Fire leading to flaccidity and weakness, or weakness in the lower body, are contraindicated.

Cinnabar (Dansha) is born by inheriting the Fire Qi of Earth Number Two and completing its formation by combining with Heaven Number Seven. Its red color corresponds to Fire, and it contains liquid within, referred to as Dragon or Mercury, also called Yin Essence. Seven represents the lesser Yang Fire, so its taste is sweet and slightly cold without toxicity, referring specifically to raw cinnabar. It is a superior drug for clearing and settling the Ministerial Fire of Shaoyin, expelling ghosts and evil spirits, and is a divine substance against all evils. Thus, it can open the spirit gates, stabilize the soul and魄 (Po), kill malevolent entities, and ward off various toxins. As Cinnabar is the chief among the Eight Minerals, it is listed first in the Mineral section. It contains mercury internally; since mercury tastes pungent, it can kill various insects and spirits, which explains why *Yaoxing Lun* states it has great toxicity. If subjected to "hidden fire" processing or any cooking/refining, its toxicity becomes equivalent to arsenic and salt, and ingestion will certainly cause death; caution is strictly required. Mercury extracted from stones is called Stone Mercury, while that extracted from Cinnabar is called Zhu Xiang Mercury, which is the liquid within Cinnabar. Inheriting the extreme Yin Qi, it contains mercury; its taste is pungent, its nature is cold and toxic, and it is good at killing parasites. Its nature moves downward without stopping, hence it is used to treat various parasitic skin diseases like scabies. However, due to its extreme Yin essence, contact with the male genitalia causes impotence and lack of Qi, it can erode human brain tissue, consume human flesh, and cause contraction of all joints. Even external application requires caution against its toxic harm, let alone internal use, where the harm is self-evident. It disperses when ground with jujube meat and human saliva, coagulates with Hafnium (or specific metal alloy), combines with Sulfur, subdues with Placenta Humanus (Zi He Che), and consolidates with Sichuan Pepper. Silver Cinnabar (Yinzhu) is formed by sublimating Sulfur and Mercury together; its nature is drying and fierce. Overdose can cause gum rot and tendon contraction. Its taste is pungent, nature is warm, and it is toxic. It can also break up accumulations, dissipate nodules, treat tinea, scabies, and malignant sores, and kill parasites. It is unsuitable for long-term consumption. For stubborn sores that do not heal, mix 1 qian of Silver Cinnabar, 5 fen of Earth Dragon Bone (aged calcined stone), and 5 qian of Pine Rosin into powder, dissolve in 1 liang of Sesame Oil, spread on paper, and apply to treat damp-toxin sores. Calomel (Qingfen), also known as Mercurous Chloride, is derived from refining Mercury. Its taste is originally pungent, nature is moist, and it is non-toxic. Its therapeutic nature is similar to Mercury, but its texture is slightly lighter and floating. Therefore, it is used to promote gastrointestinal motility, clear heat, and kill parasites, serving as a need for external treatment. If used internally, fear arises that Mercury toxicity combined with Fire toxicity will dry and irritate the stomach and intestines, deplete blood and fluids, and result in chronic disease; caution is advised. It is especially strictly prohibited for patients with chronic illness and deficiency. Method for refining Calomel: Grind 1 liang of Mercury and 2 liang of Alum until no star-like particles are visible. Spread inside an iron vessel, cover with a small black earthenware pot, seal the rim with salt mud, and roast over charcoal fire for three incense sticks' duration. Upon opening, the powder will have risen to the top of the pot. Cinnabar: Settles the Heart, nourishes the Spirit, stabilizes the Soul and Po, expels evil, and detoxifies. It treats diseases of the five Zang organs and hundred ailments, relieves vexation and thirst, regulates blood vessels, kills malevolent spirits, and clears scabies and sores. However, its red color corresponds to the South, and the Li Trigram governs the Heart meridian. It is a pure Yin, heavy, and stagnant substance. Excessive or long-term use suppresses the ethereal and clear Qi, causing mental dullness and oppression. Once refined by fire, its toxicity equals that of arsenic. According to methods, refined Mercury is also called Shuiyin, possessing great toxicity towards the five metals. Combined with Giant Ficus Seed (Dafengzi), it kills wound parasites. Assisted by Scutellaria Pill (Huangqin Wan), it prevents conception. It is effective against lice and essential for expelling dead fetus. If it penetrates the flesh, it causes tendon contraction. If it contacts the male organ causing impotence, tying red gold near the affected area allows Mercury to exit, restoring Yang function. Calomel is Mercury re-sublimated; it is only used in surgery to dispel Wind, kill parasites, draw out toxins, generate flesh, primarily unblock the Large Intestine, and treat pediatric malnutrition, pharyngeal masses, and scabies/leprosy. For early-stage Syphilis (Yangmei Chuang), whether ingested or applied topically, the toxic vapor recedes. It lodges in the bone marrow like oil entering dough, impossible to extract. Years later, when the toxin erupts through the orifices, severe cases lead to death, mild cases to disability. Silver Cinnabar is also burned from Mercury; it only kills lice and treats carbuncles. Main Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rash): Although Cinnabar is said to regulate blood vessels, resolve smallpox toxin, calm the soul, and nourish essence to brighten eyes, its nature is cold and sinking. It may be used in small amounts for patients with excessive heat and delirious speech, combined with other herbs to resolve heat toxins. For calming the Spirit, it must not be taken in large doses; if Heart Blood becomes too cold, how can the smallpox toxin erupt? Calomel cools blood and dissipates wound toxins; it is only suitable for mixing into topical powders for external treatment of smallpox toxin, carbuncles, and sores. Another secret method, Ling Dan Elixir Formula: Treats carbuncles, malignant sores, and Syphilis; extracts toxins and promotes flesh growth with divine efficacy. Ingredients: 1 liang Mercury, 7 qian Black Lead, 3 qian each of Cinnabar and Realgar, 2.5 liang each of Alum and Saltpeter. Method: First melt the Lead, add Mercury to form a cake, grind evenly with Cinnabar and Realgar. Then dissolve Saltpeter and Alum, pour into the previous four powdered ingredients, remove from fire, stir urgently to ensure uniformity. Place in a Yang Cheng Jar, cover with an Iron Lid, secure with an Iron Beam and wire. Seal with salt mud, place in a Shenxian Furnace, refine using alternating mild and strong fires. Wipe the lid frequently with water. Gradually increase heat, adding one part per incense stick burned, totaling three incense sticks. After cooling, open, scrape the powder from the bottom of the lid, grind into fine flour, pass through Licorice Decoction three times, add a small amount of Borneol. Apply to Guang Chuang (Syphilis lesions), frequently pressing with fingers dipped in the medicine. The lesion will naturally detach in three days. A divine prescription.