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Shizhongru (Stalactite) is born from the qi of stones. Its taste is sweet and pungent, its nature is greatly warm, and it is non-toxic. When exposed to fire, it becomes highly toxic; it should be boiled in water for two days in a silver vessel, then ground into powder and processed by water flotation (shuifei). Its nature is warm and descending, enabling qi to return to its origin, thus it primarily treats cough with rebellious qi. With its pungent-warm power, it can unblock all joints, benefit the nine orifices, and promote lactation. Its treatment of weakness and cold pain in the legs is also evidence of its yang qi descending action. However, mineral drugs have fierce properties. Although they have tonifying effects, they may cause a sudden surge of yang qi and increased appetite. Ignorant people who misuse this drug may engage in excessive sexual activity, leading to depletion of essence, flaming of deficient fire, and the onset of carbuncles, sores, stranguria, and turbid urine, causing severe misfortune. Claims of longevity should not be lightly tested.

Shizhongru, also known as Eguanshi (Goose Tube Stone), primarily treats cough with rebellious qi, leg weakness and cold pain, calms the five zang organs, unblocks all joints, promotes lactation, benefits the nine orifices, tonifies deficiency and instability of the lower jiao, prevents seminal emission, strengthens primordial yang, enhances sexual function, improves voice and vision, and is especially suitable for cold coughs.

To treat all types of consumptive cough accompanied by chest and diaphragm fullness and distension, use equal parts of Eguanshi, Xionghuang (Realgar), Foercao (Artemisia argyi flower), and Kuidonghua (Tussilago farfara flower). Grind them into powder. Use one qian per dose, burn it on an incense burner, and inhale the smoke through a tube into the throat twice daily.

Jingquanshi (Well Spring Stone) is best for resolving heat accumulation in the heart and is also excellent for stopping heat coughs of the lung meridian. Combined with Dahuang (Rhubarb root and rhizome) and Zhizi (Gardenia fruit), it treats sudden swelling and edema of the eyelids. Combined with Juemingzi (Cassia seed) and Juhua (Chrysanthemum flower), it treats pterygium suddenly arising from eye malnutrition disease (yan gan). It generally treats various heat conditions but has no other specific functions.

Huairushi is also known as Huashishi. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* does not detail its taste, nature, or indications. Generally, herbs that are sour, pungent, and warm specialize in stopping bleeding and transforming blood into fluid. For women suffering from blood syncope due to ascending evil blood, dissolving the evil blood stops the syncope naturally. Due to its sour-astringent qi, it can also resolve blood stasis, thus when applied externally, it treats all metal wounds and traumatic injuries. For those bitten by dogs to the point of death, grind the herb finely and apply it to the wound; the blood will turn into yellow fluid, curing the injury without pain. For internal injuries where blood enters the viscera, mix slightly wine with hot child's urine (tongbian), warm it, and take more than one qian for immediate effect. For external application, use raw; for internal use, calcine until the original substance remains (cunxing).

Huairushi is miraculous for treating blood disorders. For any internal rupture or damage causing profuse hematemesis, calcine the stone until the original substance remains, grind it into an extremely fine powder, and take three qian mixed with liquid after meals, or five qian for severe cases. For men, mix half child's urine and half wine with the powder. For women, mix half child's urine and half vinegar. Frequent administration will unblock the body, transforming blood stasis into yellow fluid. This is indeed a potent drug; after hemostasis, immediately follow up with a strong Ginseng Decoction (Dushen Tang) or Ginseng and Child's Urine Decoction to tonify. For metal wounds with bleeding, external application closes the wound instantly; for postpartum blood syncope, licking the area below brings immediate relief. Overuse damages blood, so caution is necessary.