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Endowed with the Qi of Earth and Metal, its red color corresponds to Fire; therefore, it tastes sweet, sour, and acrid, has a strongly warm nature, and is non-toxic. Its Qi is light and thin while its flavor is dense; its action descends and astringes, representing Yin within Yang. It enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and concurrently enters the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Its astringent flavor can secure against slipping and discharge; its red color can enter the Blood level; its sweet and warm nature can tonify the Middle Jiao. Thus, it is used for astringing and tonifying in the Yin level, as well as for clearing and eliminating warm-heat pathogens.

Chishizhi (Red Halloysite), being an astringent agent, when calcined by fire and quenched in vinegar, then ground into powder, can treat various ulcers and carbuncles, promoting wound closure and flesh regeneration; for all types of bleeding, it stops hemorrhage and guides blood back to its proper channels; it nourishes Heart Qi, secures Essence, arrests diarrhea and dysentery, and alleviates pain. In treating Changpi (dysentery) with lower bleeding, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, and rectal prolapse, its red color is utilized to harmonize and unblock the blood vessels. Furthermore, due to its heavy weight and astringency, it directly reaches the Lower Jiao for astringent purposes. For treating retained placenta (Baoyi buxia), its heavy texture is utilized, combined with its acrid-warm nature to transform stagnant blood. Hence it is said: "It possesses the ability to consolidate the intestines and stomach through astringency, yet expels the placenta without the harshness of purgative pushing."

Indications (referencing *Douzhen He Can*): For treating persistent diarrhea and dysentery caused by Wei deficiency in smallpox cases, pill preparations may be used temporarily as a formula for securing against slipping and astringing; it is suitable to use after quenching in red vinegar.

Also known as Ningshuishi (Congealed Water Stone) or Baishuishi (White Water Stone), it forms from the essence of salt in saline lands. It is formed by accumulating Yin Qi, tastes acrid and salty, has a strongly cold nature, and is non-toxic. The *Classic* states: "For mild heat Qi, use cool agents to harmonize it; for severe heat Qi, use cold agents to eliminate it." It also states: "When heat pathogen overflows internally, treat it with salty-cold agents." Therefore, this strongly cold and slightly salty nature is required for softening hardness, removing stagnation, clearing heat, and promoting urination. However, it should only be used temporarily for excess heat pathogens and for external application on scalds and burns. If there is deficient heat in deficient persons, it must be strictly contraindicated.

Hanshuishi (Cold Water Stone) clears heat in the Stomach and latent heat in the Five Zang organs, resolves toxicity from Croton seed (Badou) and Danchi minerals, treats relapse of cold damage due to overexertion (Laofu), concurrently addresses accumulated heat pathogens, and relieves irritability, thirst with excessive drinking, Stomach heat toothache, edema, and lower abdominal pain. It is a divine agent for cooling blood and descending fire. For scalds and burns, applying it externally leads to immediate healing. For lesions not yet ulcerated, grind into powder and mix with oil for application; for already broken lesions, grind into powder and apply dry.

Indications (referencing *Douzhen He Can*): Efficacy is the same as mentioned above.