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Sweet and warm, non-toxic.

According to Hu Yan's "Secrets of Alchemy" (Danyao Mijue), the method for refining Ling Sha (Spirit Cinnabar) involves placing a new pot on a Xiaoyao furnace, wiping the bottom of the pot with honey, and heating it gently over a low fire. Two taels of Realgar (Huangshi, 硫黄) are added until melted, followed by eight taels of Mercury (Shuiyin, 水银). The mixture is stirred rapidly with an iron spoon to form "Qingsha Tou" (Green Sand Head). If flames arise, vinegar is sprayed to extinguish them. Once the mercury no longer shows star-like reflections, it is removed, finely ground, and placed into a Shuihuo Ding (Water-Fire Cauldron). The vessel is sealed tightly with salt mud and heated by natural fire until twelve lamps' worth of water has evaporated. Upon removal, if needle-like patterns appear, the refinement is complete. The "Gengxin Yuce" states that there are three types of Ling Sha: one refined in one Fu period using Zhou Tian fire is called Jinding Ling Sha (Golden Tripod Spirit Cinnabar); one refined through nine cycles of addition and subtraction using Zhou Tian fire is called Jiuzhuan Ling Sha (Nine-Turn Spirit Cinnabar); and one refined over thirty days using earth numbers is called Laohuo Ling Sha (Old Fire Spirit Cinnabar). All should be boiled in vinegar derived from mulberry ash, then stored (Fu) before use. Those refined from Zhusha (Cinnabar) are called Zhen Geng (True Mercury) and are particularly efficacious.

Invention (Commentary): Li Shizhen stated that this substance uses extreme Yang to attract extreme Yin, causing Yin to shed and Yang to return; hence it is called Ling Sha. It is a miraculous pill for supporting critical conditions and saving emergencies. For symptoms such as rebellious deficiency Yang, excessive phlegm-saliva, dizziness, vomiting and regurgitation, asthma preventing lying flat, insomnia, cholera with regurgitation, and cold pain in the heart and abdomen, it is indeed a specific medicine for suppressing deficiency fire. However, it should not be taken for a long time. It is contraindicated for vomiting due to stomach deficiency, cholera due to summerheat, and heat stagnation in the heart and lungs.

Pungent, bitter, and warm, slightly toxic. The variety from Wu Du is superior. It should be melted in sesame oil or boiled dry with rice vinegar and radish juice; raw use is toxic and harmful to humans.

The "Shennong Benjing" indicates its treatment of chills and fever, scrofula (Shu Liu, 鼠瘘), malignant sores, carbuncles, hemorrhoids, necrotic tissue, killing spirits and evil ghosts, venomous insects, and protection against weapons.

Invention (Commentary): Xionghuang (Realgar) grows on the sunny side of mountains and is the pure essence of Yang. It enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Receiving the upright Qi of Yang, it can break Yin pathogens, kill insects, and repel evils. Therefore, all conditions treated in the "Shennong Benjing" are diseases caused by Yin pathogens and turbid filth. Its ability to "surpass five weapons" means its efficacy exceeds that of medicines made from five toxins. It treats convulsions, epilepsy, and phlegm-saliva, as well as the toxicity of "Shegong" (arrow frog) and "Shashi" (sand louse); when crushed with garlic and applied externally, it is effective. When boiled and taken with Nixiao (Niter), it induces immediate vomiting of poisoned insects in the abdomen. The "Qianjin Fang" treats ding-sores and malignant ulcers by first pricking the four sides and center, then applying Xionghuang powder. The "Shenghui Fang" treats Shanghan Huhu disease by burning Xionghuang in a bottle to fumigate the lower body. The "Heji Jufang"'s Jiu Zheng Wan, combined with Scorpion Tail (Xiewei, 蝎尾) and Croton Seed (Badou, 巴豆), treats alcohol accumulation pain. The "Zhouhou Beiji Fang" uses a decoction of Xionghuang, Alum (Fanshi, 矾石), and Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) to treat genital swelling like a beanbag. The "Jingyan Fang" uses Xionghuang and Angelica Dahurica (Baizhi, 白芷) powdered and decocted in wine to treat traumatic wind swelling. The "Jia Mifang" grinds Xionghuang finely, forms pills with fermented dough (Shenqu, 神曲), and takes 4-5 fen with wine on an empty stomach daily without interruption to specifically eliminate Nuomu (Malaria mass). The "Jiujie Liangfang" uses 5 qian of Xionghuang and 2 qian of Musk (Shexiang, 麝香) powdered, divided into two doses taken with wine, to treat rabid dog bites. The "Waitai Miyao" applies Xionghuang topically for arrow poison. The "Shesheng" describes a妙用 (wonderful use): mixing Xionghuang, Huangshi (Sulfur, 硫黄), and Mung Bean Powder (Lvdoufen, 绿豆粉) with human milk for topical application cures rhinophyma (wine nose redness) in three to five applications. The "Douzhen Zhengzhi" mixes 1 qian of Xionghuang and 3 qian of Arnebia Root (Zicao, 紫草) into powder, adjusts with carmine juice, and after pricking a pustule sore with a silver hairpin, applies the mixture. The "Wanshi Fang" treats diffuse abscesses without redness by taking 3 fen of fine Ming Xionghuang powder mixed into a cracked eggshell, steamed with rice and eaten orally; severe cases resolve within three doses. The "Shengji Lu" mixes Xionghuang with pig bile for topical application on white tinea capitis. Xunhuang (fumigated realgar) treats malignant sores, scabies, and tinea, kills lice, and is used in fumigation therapies combined with other herbs. The "Qianjin Fang" contains a fumigation method for cough.