味辛、甘，平、大寒，有毒。主恶疮，头秃，痂疥，杀毒虫虱，身痒，邪气，诸毒。
蚀鼻中息肉，下部KT 疮，身面白驳，散皮肤死肌，及恍惚邪气，杀蜂蛇毒。炼之，久服
轻
身、增年、不老，令人脑满。生武都山谷，与雄黄同山生。其阴山有金，金精熏则生雌黄，
采无时。
今雌黄出武都仇池者，谓为武都仇池黄，色小赤。出扶南林邑者，谓昆仑黄，色如金，
而似云母甲错，画家所重。
依此言，既有雌雄之名，又同山之阴阳，于合药盒饭以武都为胜，用
《仙经》无单服法，唯以合丹
砂、雄黄共飞炼为丹耳。金精是雌黄，
铜精是空青，而服空青反胜于雌黄，其意难了也。
味辛、温、无毒。主烂伤瘀血，泄痢，寒热，鼠 ，症瘕，结气。脚冷疼弱。一名姜
石，钟乳根也。生赵国山谷，又梁山及南海，采无时。
恶术、防己。赵国属冀州，此即今人所呼孔公孽，大如牛羊角，长一、二尺左右，亦出
始兴。
〔谨案〕此即石堂下孔
公孽根也，盘结如姜，故名姜石。俗人乃以孔公孽为之，误矣。
味辛，温，无毒。主伤食不化，邪结气恶，疮疽 痔，利九窍，下乳汁。疗男子阴
疮，女子阴蚀，及伤食病，恒欲眠睡。一名通石，殷孽根也，青黄色。生梁山山谷。
木兰为之使，恶细辛。梁山属冯翊郡，此即今钟乳床也，亦出始兴，皆大块折破之。凡
钟乳之类，三种同一体，从
石室上汁溜积久盘结者，为钟乳床，即此孔公孽也。其次长小 者，为殷孽，今人呼为孔
公孽。殷孽复溜，轻好者为
钟乳。虽同一类，而疗体为异，贵贱悬殊。此二孽不堪丸散，人皆捣末酒渍饮之，疗脚弱。
其前诸疗，恐宜水煮为汤也。
案今三种同根
〔谨案〕此孽次于钟乳，如牛羊角者，
中尚孔通，故名通石。《本
经》误以为殷孽之根，陶依《本经》以为今人之误，其实是也。
[Ci Huang / Orpiment]
Pungent, sweet, neutral or very cold in nature, toxic. Primarily treats malignant sores, alopecia capitis (hair loss on the head), scabies with crusts, kills poisonous insects and lice, relieves pruritus corporis (body itching), expels pathogenic factors, and various toxins.
Corrodes nasal polyps, treats ulcers of the lower part (referring to the genitals or anus), dispels white patches on the face, dissipates dead muscle tissue on the skin, and pathogenic factors arising from mental confusion; also kills venom from bees and snakes. After calcination/refining, long-term consumption makes the body light, increases longevity, prevents aging, and fills the brain. Grows in the valleys of Wudu, co-existing with Xiong Huang (Realgar) on the same mountain. Where there are metallic deposits in shaded mountains, the essence of metal steams and generates Ci Huang. It can be harvested at any time.
The Ci Huang currently produced in Qiuchi, Wudu, is called "Wudu Qiuchi Huang," with a slightly reddish color. The one produced in Linyi, Funan, is called "Kunlun Huang," golden in color but with textures resembling mica, highly valued by painters.
Based on these statements, since there are names for female (yin) and male (yang), corresponding to the yin and yang aspects of the mountain, Wudu origin is superior for medicinal use. The *Xian Jing* (Classic of Immortals) does not prescribe single herb administration, but rather combines it with Dan Sha (Cinnabar) and Xiong Huang (Realgar) for sublimation into pills. Jin Jing (Gold Essence) is Ci Huang, Tong Jing (Copper Essence) is Kong Qing (Azurite), yet taking Kong Qing yields better results than Ci Huang, which is difficult to comprehend.
[Yin Nie / Stalactite Root Variant 1]
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats traumatic blood stasis from rotting wounds, dysentery, alternating chills and fever, shu luo (scrofula/lymphatic tuberculosis), zheng jia (masses), and qi stagnation. Treats cold feet, pain, and weakness. Also known as Jiang Shi (Ginger Stone), it is the root of Zhong Ru (Stalactite). Grows in the valleys of Zhao State, also in Liang Mountain and Nanhai. Harvestable at any time.
Averse to Zhu (Atractylodes) and Fang Ji (Stephania). Zhao State belongs to Jizhou Province. This is what people today call Kong Gong Nie, roughly the size of cattle or sheep horns, about one to two chi in length, also produced in Shixing.
[Note] This is actually the root of Kong Gong Nie under the stone hall, knotted like ginger, hence named Jiang Shi. Laypeople mistakenly identify Kong Gong Nie as this, which is incorrect.
[Kong Gong Nie / Stalactite Root Variant 2]
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats indigestion due to food stagnation, evil qi accumulation, malignant sores and hemorrhoids, unblocks the nine orifices, promotes lactation. Treats male genital sores, female vaginal erosion, and somnolence caused by food stagnation. Also known as Tong Shi, it is the root of Yin Nie, greenish-yellow in color. Grows in the valleys of Liang Mountain.
Use Mu Lan (Magnolia Bark) as an guiding herb; averse to Xi Xin (Asarum). Liang Mountain belongs to Fengyi Commandery. This is what is now called Zhong Ru Chuang (Stalactite Bed), also produced in Shixing, usually broken into large pieces. All substances related to Zhong Ru share the same origin. Those that drip from the top of stone chambers and accumulate over time to form knots are called Zhong Ru Chuang, which is here referred to as Kong Gong Nie. Those that grow smaller are called Yin Nie, currently termed Kong Gong Nie by people. Further dripping from Yin Nie forms lighter, higher quality material called Zhong Ru. Although of the same category, their therapeutic properties differ significantly, as do their values. These two types (Yin Nie and Kong Gong Nie) are unsuitable for making pills and powders; people crush them, soak them in wine, and drink the infusion to treat leg weakness. For the aforementioned conditions, boiling in water to make a decoction is likely more appropriate.
[Note] These three types share the same root.
[Note] This substance, inferior to Zhong Ru, shaped like cattle/sheep horns, has hollow passages inside, hence named Tong Shi. The *Ben Jing* erroneously considered it the root of Yin Nie. Tao Hongjing followed the *Ben Jing*, thinking it was a modern error, but he was actually correct.