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Bovine belongs to the Earth element, its nature is sweet and neutral. Its essence condenses into calculus bovis (Niuhuang), similar to the inner elixir in the human body; therefore, it can resolve various toxins, eliminate phlegm-heat, disperse Heart fire, treat convulsions and epilepsy, and is a divine substance unmatched by other medicines. When a bovine produces calculus bovis, observing its body at night reveals luster and moist fur with a blood-red hue, indicating a transformation of refined Qi, which is naturally distinct. Calculus bovis tastes bitter, has a neutral thermal nature, and is non-toxic. It enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, and Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. It functions to clear heat, eliminate phlegm, detoxify, clear the Heart and subdue Fire, calm the Liver, open orifices, and settle fright. Since children possess pure Yang energy and their diseases often stem from fetal toxins and phlegm-heat affecting the Liver and Heart meridians, this medicine is frequently used for its life-restoring power. However, it is contraindicated for vomiting caused by milk injury and for those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold.

The tender bone tip within the horn (Niu Jiao Sai) is the essence of sinew and residue of bone. It enters the Foot Jueyin Liver and Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridians, acting as a blood-level remedy that also connects to the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. It tastes bitter, has a warm thermal nature, and is non-toxic. Bitterness drains downward, and warmth promotes circulation; thus, it treats leukorrhea in women and opens stasis-induced pain.

Bovine gallbladder (Niudan) tastes bitter, is greatly cold, and non-toxic. Cold overcomes heat, and bitterness resolves accumulation. It treats heat in the chest and abdomen, thirst, dysuria, and dry mouth/tongue. Entering the Liver to drain heat, it benefits the eyes and clarifies vision. Storing powdered Arisaema cum Bile (Nanxing Mo) inside a dried bovine gallbladder effectively treats acute pediatric convulsions with hot phlegm. This utilizes the bitter-cold nature to counteract the dryness of Nanxing, thereby resolving phlegm and clearing heat.

Beef: As an Earth animal, yellow beef corresponds to the central Earth color, nourishing the Spleen and Stomach, stabilizing the Middle Jiao, and boosting Qi. Beef from animals that died of disease, black-bodied ones, or white-headed ones must not be consumed.

Huangming Jiao (Yellow Bright Glue), also known as Shui Jiao, is made from cowhide. It tastes sweet and neutral, is non-toxic, and treats hematemesis, hematochezia, bloody strangury, threatened miscarriage with bleeding, rheumatic wandering pain, traumatic injuries, burns, carbuncles, and sores. It invigorates blood and stops bleeding. Its properties resemble Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin); thus, indications are similar. Being mildly tonifying, it suits blood deficiency with heat. However, lacking the specific water source and donkey hide, it lacks Ejiao's draining and descending action. Lu Jiao Jiao (Deer Antler Gelatin), formerly called Bai Jiao, is warm and tonifying, unsuitable for deficiency-heat. The ancient practice of substituting Huangming Jiao for Bai Jiao in formulas was erroneous.

For traumatic injuries, mix 1 liang of genuine cowhide glue with 1 liang of dried winter melon peel, stir-fry until carbonized but retaining efficacy, and powder. Take 5 qian mixed with one cup of hot wine, followed by two to three cups more. Keep warm to induce slight sweating; the carbuncle will cease. For various swellings, dissolve 1 liang of Huangming Jiao in half a sheng of water, add 1 liang of Dan Sha (Mineral Cinnabar), boil evenly, and apply with a goose feather. If unruptured, applying around the periphery causes resolution. For early-stage back carbuncle, melt 4 liang of Huangming Jiao in wine over hot water and drink freely (or use boiled water if alcohol is intolerable) to prevent internal invasion of toxin. Adding four pieces of processed Pangolin Scales (Chuan Shan Jia) enhances efficacy.

Xiatian Gao tastes sweet and warm, is non-toxic, and treats stroke hemiplegia, facial paralysis, phlegm obstruction, retained phlegm-fluids in organs, and phlegm nodules in skin. Prepare by boiling 30-40 jin of fat young male yellow beef in clean water until mushy, filtering, and reducing to a paste. The Stomach belongs to Earth, receiving all food and drink. Stomach dysfunction leads to retention of fluids becoming phlegm, obstructing meridians and causing myriad diseases. Xiatian Gao treats this because the cow is an Earth animal, yellow corresponds to Earth, and meat represents the flavor of the Stomach. Boiled into liquid without turbidity, it uses what governs the Spleen/Stomach to treat diseases generated there, penetrating from intestines to skin to extract stuck pathogens. For Yin-deficiency with internal heat causing stubborn phlegm due to fluid depletion and fire scorching, combine with Zhu Li (Bamboo Sap), Mu Li (Oyster Shell - *Note: Text says Bei Mu/Oyster shell context implies Phlegm resolvents like Bei Mu*), Ju Hong (Tangerine Peel), Su Zi (Perilla Seed), and Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthes Root) to resolve it. "Xia Ziyi's Strange Diseases" describes "Rou Ren" (Flesh Person): sores on the head resembling cherries, splitting and shedding skin down to the feet. Drinking bovine milk cures it.

Calculus bovis (Niuhuang) treats convulsions, phlegm obstruction, stroke mania, aphasia, lockjaw, epidemic miasma, clears the Heart, resolves phlegm, expels evil, reduces heat, calms the soul, and settles the spirit. Contraindicated in pregnancy to avoid miscarriage. In external surgical applications, it resolves carbuncles, sores, and boils, dispersing toxicity and relieving pain miraculously. For newborns, administering a bean-sized dose on the third day resolves fetal heat toxins, preventing convulsions and diluting smallpox rash. For dark/depressed smallpox lesions, mix 2 li of Niuhuang with 1 fen of Zhu Sha, powder finely, and apply with juice from honey-soaked carmine. Niuhuang is potent for clearing Heart heat and resolving phlegm; do not overdose unless the condition is critical, lest other medicines fail. Contraindicated in stroke affecting the Fu organs or vessels, as it may draw pathogenic factors into the marrow like oil into flour. It is essential for acute convulsions with phlegm obstruction, residual measles toxins, erysipelas, gum swelling, and sore throat threatening life—a true treasure saving lives.

Horn tips treat blood stasis, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea. Kidney part replenishes Jing-Essence; Liver part aids blood and clarifies vision; Heart part treats forgetfulness; Gallbladder part benefits eyes and lips; Meat nourishes muscles and generates Middle Qi; Intestines treat wind-damp hemorrhoids; Tripe strengthens Spleen/Stomach and prevents food stagnation; Penis treats leukorrhea and uterine prolapse; Brain treats wind-convulsions and thirst; Marrow boosts Qi, stops diarrhea, and when combined with Rehmannia and honey, balances Triple Burner, calms Five Viscera, and treats emaciation. Milk nourishes blood, tonifies deficiency, moistens viscera, stops thirst, nourishes Heart/Lungs, resolves heat/toxins, and moisturizes skin. Cheese/Butter treats lung abscesses, stops vomiting/epistaxis, moistens hair, and stops cough. Milk curds benefit twelve meridians and relieve constipation. Butter, the essence of milk, tonifies five viscera, enriches marrow, moistens vessels, treats dry intestines, mouth ulcers, and clears heat/blood. Blood treats blood deficiency. Teeth treat pediatric epilepsy. Urine eliminates edema miraculously via urethra. Dung applied to rat bites heals burns uniquely. Ashed and sifted dung treats rotten smallpox.

Commentary: Bovine belongs to Earth; yellow beef supplements Spleen and consolidates Middle Qi effectively. Daily consumption of Yellow Beef Soup for chronic malaria alleviates symptoms without bloating. This aligns with Danxi's "Reversing the Warehouse" method for treating retained phlegm and blood stasis causing paralysis, consumption, ascites, or dysphagia, where pills/powders fail. This method uses purging to tonify and tonifying to purge, flushing out stagnation like floodwaters, restoring health. Performing this once or twice after middle age aids longevity. Beef tonifies without damaging like emetics/purgatives. Method: Boil 20 jin of fat young male yellow beef in flowing water until mushy, filter, reduce to amber liquid. Fast the previous evening. On the day, fast completely, sit in a sealed room, drink the liquid in cups repeatedly until dozens are consumed. Body aches like illness; vomiting occurs above, purging below, both in the middle. After purging, thirst arises; drink several bowls of self-urine to cleanse residues. Feed rice water initially, then light porridge, thick porridge, soft rice over a month. All chronic conditions resolve. Abstain from sexual activity for six months and consume beef for five years.

Main Indications (Smallpox Integration): Niuhuang resolves Heart Fire toxicity. Use for manic delirium during smallpox eruption, purple/red rash, or chaotic spotting. Also suitable for abundant Qi/Blood but slow healing. However, since Smallpox relies on Heart function, early use risks freezing the eruption. Late use risks chilling the Stomach. It is primarily an external treatment for smallpox gingivitis and throat swelling. One lice-based formula induces eruption but is too drying/harsh for frequent/light use.

Commentary: Niuhuang enters the Liver. Essential for stroke invading Zang organs, penetrating bone/marrow to expel wind internally. Contraindicated for stroke in Fu organs/vessels, as it draws evil into marrow like oil into flour. In cases of collapse of righteous Qi, only Renshen and Fuzi should restore Yuan Yang; Niuhuang is useless here.