一名二气砂，系硫汞锻炼而成。乃水火既济，二气交合，夺造化之功，窃阴阳之
妙，可以变化五行，升降气血，为除邪养正扶危救急，五脏百病之灵丹也。味甘温，无
毒，然一时安能资其养神益气通灵于平日哉！
灵砂，用水银、硫黄二物，同水火 炼成形。主五脏百病，止烦满，通血脉，安魂
魄，养精神，杀鬼除邪，益气明目；久服不老，轻身神仙，令人心灵，神明通畅。若饲
猿猴、鹦鹉，辄作人语不差。又有养正丹，又名交泰丹，用黑铅、朱砂、水银、硫黄炒
成，即灵砂意也。其用亦与灵砂略同。
禀金水之正，得天地至清，至寒之气，故其味辛甘，气大寒，而无毒。入足阳明，
手太阴、少阳经气分。辛能解肌，甘能缓中，大寒而兼辛甘，故用以外解邪热于肌
表，内清邪热结气于三焦，且为缓脾益气生津止渴之用也。宜入火 红，置地上出火毒
用。
石膏，治食积痰火，胃脘痛甚，并胃热为病，一切神效。入肺胃三焦，兼之其味辛
甘，辛能出汗，解肌上行，而理阳明头齿作痛，甘则缓脾益气，生津以止渴消，白虎汤
用专清肺胃。但胃弱食不下者，并血虚身发热者，忌服。
主治（痘疹合参） 治痘热极，胃烂发斑，能清胃发痘，止渴生津，然疹家最宜，
痘家少用。胃虚寒者，尤宜禁之。
按∶石膏，气味俱薄，体重而沉，上阴下降，有肃杀而无生长。如不得已而用，须
中病即止，勿过投以伐资生之本，故洁古云∶极能寒胃，令人肠滑，不能食，非有极
热不宜轻用。又曰∶血虚发热，有类白虎汤症，误用之不可救也。东垣云，立夏前多服
白虎，必小便不禁，此阳明津液不能上输，肺之清气亦复下降。观此可以知其性矣。
[Lingsha]
Also known as Erqi Sha (Two-Qi Cinnabar), it is formed by refining realgar and mercury. It represents the harmonization of water and fire, the intersection of yin and yang qi, seizing the efficacy of creation and the subtlety of yin-yang transformation. It can transform the Five Phases, regulate the ascending and descending of Qi and Blood, and serves as a miraculous elixir for dispelling evil, nourishing righteousness, supporting critical conditions, saving emergencies, and treating diseases of the five zang organs and hundred ailments. Its taste is sweet and warm, non-toxic; however, how could it possibly nourish the spirit, benefit Qi, and enhance spiritual clarity in daily life at one time!
Lingsha is prepared by refining two substances, mercury and sulfur, together through water and fire processes until they take form. It primarily treats diseases of the five zang organs and hundred ailments, stops vexation and fullness, unblocks blood vessels, calms the soul and spirit, nourishes mental energy, kills ghosts and dispels evil, benefits Qi and brightens the eyes; long-term consumption prevents aging, lightens the body to resemble an immortal, makes the mind agile, and ensures clear and smooth spiritual consciousness. If fed to monkeys or parrots, they will speak human language accurately. There is also Yangzheng Dan (Nourish Righteousness Pill), also known as Jiaotai Dan (Interacting Harmony Pill), made by stir-frying black lead, cinnabar, mercury, and sulfur; its principle is the same as Lingsha. Its usage is also slightly similar to that of Lingsha.
[Shigao]
Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) inherits the upright nature of Metal and Water, obtaining the most pure and cold Qi from heaven and earth. Therefore, its taste is pungent and sweet, its nature is greatly cold, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Qi aspect of the Foot-Yangming, Hand-Taiyin, and Hand-Shaoyang meridians. Pungency can release the muscle layer, sweetness can moderate the middle jiao; being greatly cold yet combined with pungent and sweet properties, it is used to externally resolve pathogenic heat on the muscle surface and internally clear pathogenic heat and stagnant Qi in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner). It also serves to moderate the spleen, benefit Qi, generate fluids, and stop thirst. It should be heated red-hot in fire and then placed on the ground to eliminate fire toxicity.
Shigao treats food stagnation and phlegm-fire causing severe epigastric pain, and all diseases caused by stomach heat, showing excellent efficacy in all cases. It enters the Lung, Stomach, and Sanjiao. Combined with its pungent and sweet taste, pungency induces sweating, releases the muscle layer, and moves upward to treat pain in the head and teeth due to Yangming channel involvement; sweetness moderates the spleen, benefits Qi, generates fluids to stop thirst, and resolves stagnation. Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) uses it specifically to clear Lung and Stomach heat. However, it is contraindicated for those with weak stomachs unable to eat, and those with blood deficiency causing body fever.
Main Indications (Integration of Smallpox and Rash): Treats extreme heat in smallpox, rotten stomach leading to rash eruption; it clears stomach heat, promotes smallpox eruption, stops thirst, and generates fluids. It is most suitable for patients with rashes (measles/varioloid) but should be used sparingly for smallpox patients. Those with deficient-cold stomach are especially contraindicated.
Commentary: Shigao has thin scent and taste, heavy weight, and sinking nature; it is Yin and descends, possessing肃杀 (astringing and killing) qualities without growth attributes. If used out of necessity, one must stop immediately upon curing the disease, avoiding excessive dosage that would damage the root of sustenance. Thus, Jiegu said: "It severely chills the stomach, causes loose bowels, and loss of appetite; unless there is extreme heat, it should not be lightly used." He also stated: "Blood deficiency fever may resemble Baihu Tang syndrome; misusing it here is incurable." Dongyuan said, "Consuming too much Baihu Tang before Start of Summer will inevitably cause urinary incontinence, because Yangming fluids cannot ascend to transport, and the clear Qi of the Lung also descends." Observing this allows one to understand its nature.