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Mr. Xue Yao, Vice Director of the Secretariat, discussed: The nature of mineral and stone drugs is hard, rigid, urgent, and fierce; their nature is pure and clean but abhors impurity. After taking Ru Shi (Milky Stone), one must carefully adjust and regulate according to one's condition, consult old methods, and cannot neglect precautions. However, human constitutions vary—some are cold, some hot; some are relaxed, some impatient. One must nurture and protect according to one's constitution and not lightly violate taboos.

Once Ru Shi enters the body, it often remains in the intestines and stomach. If a person's vital energy is weak and the stone's qi is strong, disease will be triggered; if a person's vital energy is strong and the stone's qi is stable, health will be enhanced. According to ancient methods, it was stipulated that only those over fifty should take Ru Shi, which is indeed incorrect. Current observations show that younger people derive benefits faster. Why is this? Young people have abundant sinews and strength, sufficient diet, which further promotes mental clarity and robust health, making illness unlikely. In old age, when climate and vitality decline and diet becomes improper, the stone's qi overwhelms the body, inevitably triggering symptoms. Observing gains and losses, nothing surpasses this principle.

Even if young people do not strictly observe dietary restrictions, their blood and qi remain naturally strong. One may crush fresh ginger and drink it with a little Zuyu (Cornus officinalis) to induce a warming sensation throughout the body, or consume hot soups and porridges to promote intestinal and gastric smoothness, allowing the stone's qi to circulate freely. During the first one to two hundred days of initial intake, such care is especially appropriate. This explains why ancient methods for taking stone drugs avoided summer and preferred winter. The reasoning was that the stone's activation might conflict with the season of intake. This contradicts general principles. Current verification shows that improper diet and excessive labor trigger activation immediately, without waiting for seasonal conflicts. Those who manage their regimen well do not experience activation. Furthermore, patients treated by renowned physicians like Pingzhang, who took stone drugs, often used warm regimens. If activation occurs, adjustment is easier. If the stone's qi activates, temporary release is needed; taking a small amount of cold medicine induces diarrhea, clearing heat and achieving smoothness. However, if one maintains a cold regimen and activation occurs, cold medicine cannot facilitate release. This is a partial view preserved from ancient and modern times merely to broaden knowledge. Regimen adjustments must be based on self-assessment of one's inherent constitution (cold or hot), aiming for stability. One should not rigidly adhere to ancient theories or follow others at the expense of oneself. It is hoped that wise gentlemen pay attention to this.

According to the *Bencao* (Materia Medica), Shizhongru (Stalactite/Gypsum Concretion) is sweet, warm, and non-toxic. It treats cough and rebellious qi, brightens the eyes and benefits essence, calms the five zang organs, unblocks all joints, opens the nine orifices, promotes lactation, tonifies qi and supplements deficiency, treats weak and cold painful legs, lower jiao exhaustion, strengthens yin, and prolongs life and youthfulness with long-term use, improving complexion and aiding fertility. Unrefined consumption causes strangury. It is also known as Gongru, Lushi, and Xiashi. It grows in the valleys of Mount Shaoshi and Mount Tai, with no specific harvesting time. Shechuangzi (Cnidii Fructus) serves as its guide drug. It is incompatible with Mudan (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Xuanshi (Lapis Haematitum), and Mumeng (Gastrodiae Rhizoma). It fears Zhisuicao (likely referring to a specific herb associated with purple stones). Mount Shaoshi is connected to Mount Song. Currently, the best quality comes from Shixing, while Jiangling and famous mountains/caves in the eastern regions also produce it. The best quality is thin and light like a goose feather quill, breaks like a fingernail, lacks "goose teeth" structures inside, and is luminous. Some stalks are one to two chi long, yellow in color, turning white when washed with vinegar (Ku Jiu). It is valued in immortal texts and highly prized in common practice.

Specifically regarding Shizhongru, the best originates from Shixing. Those from Guang, Lian, Li, Lang, Liu, and other prefectures are thick, lustrous, and lovely, and are also good for ingestion. Those from Qingxi in Xia Prefecture and Sanjian in Fang Prefecture are inferior (the *Bencao* records this as "ya") to those from Shixing. Those from other non-native lands should not be taken lightly, as they easily cause strangury and thirst. They can only be ground into powder, wrapped in white silk, combined with various herbal medicines, soaked in wine, and ingested. Tao Hongjing's claim that Shizhongru stalks are one to two chi long is erroneous.