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The *Treatise on Taking Minerals* records: Xue Yao, Vice Director of the Secretariat, stated: Regarding all methods of taking Hanshi San (Cold Food Powder), one must clearly grasp the "Jiedu" (dosage, timing, and nursing regulations). Clear Jiedu can cure diseases, while violating Jiedu will induce illnesses. Foolish people should not force themselves to take it; forcing it will inevitably damage the body. Wise people examine it in detail before taking it and regulate it prudently. The effect is clear as the autumn moon reflecting in a green pool, and sudden as spring sunshine melting accumulated ice. This is called appropriate.

Whenever taking Wushi San (Five Minerals Powder) and mineral pills such as Zhongru (Tridacna Shell/Conch Pearl preparations), if Jiedu is lost, the triggers are manifold. Although the symptoms of onset differ, the principles of care are similar. Recently, when encountering these syndromes, people have specialized in treating them. Some adhere strictly to ancient methods, which contradict the patient's constitution; others rely on mediocre physicians, missing the right timing. Both approaches lead to self-contradiction. Therefore, Tao Hongjing (Zhenbai) said: In the past, someone took Hanshi San, consulted ancient methods, and poured cold water over their body two hundred jars' worth, resulting in immediate rigidity and death. Another person, unable to sweat, placed fires in the four corners of a narrow room, dying within moments. Based on this regulation, is it not man-made? Reflecting on past events, sticking to dogma is excessive.

Qin Chengzu discussed: Hanshi San is indeed the essence of refined preparation and the leader among prescriptions. Although it cannot enable one to fly or transform bones and marrow, in assisting life and nurturing longevity, no one can rival it. However, water can carry a boat but also capsize it; the powder can protect life but also end it. Those who are frivolous and biased, or those who believe blindly without basis, seeing only temporary suitability without weighing risks, face unpredictable disasters and death in an instant. The subtlety of this medicine is beyond the comprehension of average intellects. Huangfu Mi (Xuan Yan) advocated using cold, while Linqiu advocated using warmth. The nature of the medicine is one, yet the theories are opposite. Current physicians should strive to explore the origin of its nature, observe the causes of弊端 (dysfunction) through盈缩 (excess and deficiency), and diagnose deeply. Synthesizing both views, adjusting based on what suits the patient, avoids major errors. Adhering rigidly to one theory is like tuning a zither by gluing the bridges (rigid adherence); it is not good regulation.

Xu Xiaochong discussed: All Hanshi herbal and mineral medicines have hot properties. When activated, they cause heat. One must use frozen drinks, eat cold food, and regulate with coldness. Hence it is called Hanshi San. After taking the medicine, one should desire cold food, cold drinks, cold clothing, cold sleeping, and cold regulation, so that the medicinal qi can circulate and be effective. If regulation is too hot—eating hot drinks, wearing hot clothes, sleeping in hot places—the medicinal qi merges with heat, stagnating in the vessels. The medicinal power fails to activate, causing various diseases and ineffectiveness. Patients may think it is the original disease, not realizing it is caused by the medicinal qi. They may not realize the medicine is activating and mistake it for another illness. Without knowing how to resolve it, the condition becomes critical. However, anyone who has taken mineral milk medicines must treat any illness as if it involves resolving the minerals.

Sun Simiao discussed: Those taking mineral medicines must engage in heavy labor; the limbs must not remain at ease. Otherwise, activation often occurs. One must not seek warmth to satisfy desires but must endure cold against one's wishes. Although uncomfortable initially, it benefits the body long-term and prevents future activation. People not taking minerals suffer from poor health, suffering from malignant sores, tinea, warm epidemics, and malaria annually, with disturbed sleep and appetite. Living conditions are unpleasant, health declines, and childbearing is difficult. Thus, having minerals in the body brings peace, yet one must not take them. Those over thirty may take mineral medicines. If naturally obese and robust, do not take them. Those over forty must take them. Those over fifty may take one dose per year. Those over sixty may take one dose every two years. Those over seventy may take one dose per year. After fifty, essence declines; taking minerals still yields efficacy. After sixty, efficacy diminishes, so constant use is needed to keep hands and feet warm, fill the marrow, digest raw/cold foods, facilitate movement, resist cold/heat, and prevent diseases.

Those taking minerals must avoid rich flavors. Despite many warnings, one must not repeatedly eat meat. Various taboos interact; accumulation not resolved triggers the minerals. Only by following the law mentally and regulating properly does the mineral medicine benefit greatly.

Chen Yanzhi discussed: Herbal medicines act quickly; mineral medicines require dietary regulation, acting slowly and hard to subside. Initial effects are due to herbs. Minerals drag on for days/months; herbs subside quickly. If the mineral power is not yet strong, and patients do not understand regulation, thinking it stopped suddenly, they may re-dose. Or, if the disease is stubborn and the medicine weak, they increase the mineral dose or mix various minerals. The essence of minerals aligns with the Five Elements, benefiting the Zang organs; the turbid part is like ash. If the patient's blood and qi are deficient and cannot circulate, stasis forms hard accumulations. If the essence does not activate, it feels cold as ice. Patients expect heat upon ingestion; seeing no heat, they take more. Seeing no immediate effect, they doubt its power. Later, when it activates, they don't suspect the mineral. Taking other treatments causes harm.

*Master Huiyi's Treatise* states: Wushi San is a superior medicine. It extends life, nurtures destiny, and harmonizes temperament, not just curing disease. Obtaining its harmony cures illness; misusing it shortens life. Is this not cautious? This is the user's fault, not the medicine's. Previous formulas vary. Huangfu Mi wanted cold; Linqiu wanted warmth. Since minerals are hot, cold is generally suitable. Thus, Shi An's writings became popular.

*Mr. Xiahou's Treatise* observes: Many people misunderstand Hanshi medicine and fail to regulate, leading to great error. Not correcting mistakes leads to stumbling. Blaming the medicine is wrong; it should not be taken when the disease is advancing, but when receding. The medicine supports righteous qi. When disease advances, pathogenic qi is strong and righteous qi weak; the medicine cannot control it. When disease recedes, righteous qi strengthens and supports the body, suppressing pathogenic qi. Do not take on an empty stomach or after purging. It sticks in hidden areas for years. No seasonal restriction; spring/autumn recovery is best.

Kong Xun of Lu State discussed: Hanshi medicine treats deficiency-cold excellently. Key is precise regulation. Although the formula says drink cold water freely, base it on internal sensation. If abdomen is not hot, mind is calm, no dizziness, do not force cold drinks/food. Dress according to medicinal heat. In deep winter, eat normally; if chest feels warm/stuffy, drink little cold water. If medicine activates, walk in wind with thin clothes. If unresolved, wash hands/feet/head, do not bathe. Observe the body; do not oppose with cold water.

*Mr. Pang's Treatise* states: Hanshi medicine activates mostly in autumn/winter. Yang is inside, Yin outside. External cold pushes heat inward, aiding medicinal heat. This is natural. Violating taboos causes re-activation. Careful observation is key. Patients often feel irritable/dizzy; do not trust their words blindly. Use advice from others. Medicine goes against human nature, causing anger. Attendants must argue firmly, hold their ground, and not let the patient become angry, increasing activation.

Activation has causes: sitting too long, talking too much, sleeping warm, losing food, sexual excess, mental stress, unhappiness, drinking continuously without washing, improper eating, or eating hot foods like cakes/millet/red beans. These are serious warnings.

Sleeping with medicine requires thin clothes. Cold prevents internal chill; heat causes disaster.

Diet should be cold; wine can be warm. Water should be fresh well water, not overly cold. Eat small frequent meals, not large ones. Calculate daily intake, divide into 8-9 times day and night. Keep food slightly warm. Restore normal diet gradually. Bedding should be old cotton, thin, but add layers to the collar. If shivering/chills, add weight to bedding to warm the body. If forced, shivering worsens; remove obstruction. If not removed, it aids activation.

Cao Xi discussed: Regulation of cold/warmth is suitable. Medicines are balanced. Though residual heat exists, one cannot bear cold. Regulation should cover but not seal tightly. Desire coolness but not extreme cold. Like a healthy person with heat seeking coolness; excess becomes disease. Do not sleep naked exposed to wind when sweating.

If medicine activates, feeling cold or hot, abdominal pain/fullness, wanting to undress or dress, thin or thick clothes should follow sensation. Do not endure lightly.

For Hansen San activation, treatment must suit the individual. Human qi varies like regional winds. Some can drink alcohol, some cannot. Some tolerate cold, some do not. Some eat much, some little. Some handle labor, some do not. Some are strong, some weak. Some fat, some thin. Some old, some young. Some have other ailments, some do not. Some tolerate medicine, some do not. Some are hot-natured, some cold. All cannot be treated equally. Activation turns into hundreds of diseases. Without understanding nuances, treating roughly is like throwing oneself into thunder; navigating danger blindly often leads to ruin.

Hanshi medicine causing hundreds of diseases is largely due to losing warmth/nourishment. Summer heat makes this loss even more dangerous.

Suspicious symptoms: coughing, sore throat, nasal congestion, clear runny nose. These are usually signs of internal cold. Heat dispersion can also cause these. Warm wine can be drunk. For cold cough, warmth is suitable. For hot cough, wine helps disperse Hanshi San; theoretically, it should heal. To distinguish: if cold drink worsens, it is definitely cold cough. If cold drink improves, it is definitely medicinal heat cough.

Warm Treatment: Everyone sees the formula calling it "Life-Protecting Divine Powder." On the day of taking, they strip clothes, face the wind, and pour cold water. Humans vary in cold tolerance; one size does not fit all. Like all things, without sun they do not flourish. Using cold/wet as primary is problematic. I took this medicine for nearly 40 years, treating hundreds. On the day of taking, one should *add* clothes, support walking, induce sweating in four limbs. Then Ying and Wei circulate, fluids flow, and heat exits through pores, relieving irritability. With proper fluids, one does not crave water. Do not force water like adding legs to a snake. If slightly irritable, soak a towel, wipe hot spots. When slightly cool, put clothes back on. Once medicine activates, change previous habits. Do not reduce usual warm clothes when starting heavy doses.

Human qi varies in weakness. Weak people wear hats/furs, fear wind/cold. How can one suddenly stop usual habits and pour cold water in a short time? Internal chill ensues. Chill becomes Shanghan (Cold Damage), high fever like burning, terror. Not knowing it is Shanghan, they think it is medicine activation. They bathe, draining energy. Strong survive by luck; weak perish.

After taking medicine, if headache, fever, red face, hot body, rapid pulse occur, treat as Shanghan. Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) for sweating, or acupuncture/moxibustion. No hesitation.

*Pan Shifang's Rescue Method* states: Each activation increases potency. No activation means no benefit. If no other diseases after activation, any illness is likely mineral activation.

*Huangfu Mi's Jiedu Treatise*: I observe users say minerals sink into Zang organs, lingering for years; herbs are light, floating in skin, resolving quickly. Errors in herb/mineral use are equal. Now, those who prefer herbs fear minerals because minerals are slow (30 days), herbs fast (days). If inconvenient, herbs can be stopped; minerals cannot rest. Some take herb powder for 10 years without result; some take 8 liang of minerals lifelong without activation. Human capacity varies, but speed difference is inherent.

*Activation Rescue Method*: Users know pure cold water helps, but pure cold also moves qi. Failure to resolve is due to imbalance. Excessive cold activation resolves with warmth. Excessive heat activation resolves with cold. Common sense applies; resolution is possible.

Also: Purging is urgent. If never purged, death is certain. Purge carefully according to Jiedu.

Also: Do not take powder on empty stomach. Keep grain in stomach. Strong grain wins body qi; strong body qi prevents medicine damage. Eat well, especially fatty pork and Perilla oil.

Also: Pei Xiu of Hedong took powder improperly, held high office, lost sanity, no rescue. Rescue method: cold wine, cold water wash, hundreds of stones of water. Cold increased, died in water. Sad. Ten stones of charcoal, 200 hu, water extinguishes it. Medicine heat is less than fire. Pouring water kills via cold, not medicine. Most failures are like this. Families must learn rescue methods.

Also: Even smart people, when activated, become dull/confused. Deaths are countless. Urgently drink Sanhuang Tang (Three Yellow Decoction) to purge. Heavy purging heals.