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Calamina (Lu Gan Shi): Sweet, warm, non-toxic.

[Invention] Calamina is formed by inheriting the qi of gold and silver; it specifically enters the Yangming meridian to dry damp-heat and is a crucial herb for treating eye diseases. Li Shizhen often used calcined Calamina (Fei Lu Gan Shi), Cuttlebone (Hai Piao Xiao), and Borax (Peng Sha) in equal parts, ground into fine powder, applied to various eye ailments with excellent results. Another method: Process Calamina via water levigation (Guo Shui Fei), form into pills the size of bullet seeds, pierce them with multiple pins, heat until red-hot, and quench repeatedly in decoction of Coptis Chinensis Rhizome (Huang Lian). This is highly effective for treating eczema of the eyelids and damp swelling of the scrotum.

Wuming Yi: Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats wounds from metal weapons, fractures, internal injuries, relieves pain, and promotes muscle regeneration.

[Invention] Wuming Yi is indicated for fractures and internal injuries in the *Bencao Jing*. Currently, it is used to treat swelling and pain from traumatic injuries and for bone setting. The *Shixiao Fang* records its pre-battle use: taken orally with wine, 3 to 5 qian, reduces injury severity in combat. Su Song mentions applying it with vinegar to swollen toxins, utilizing its blood-invigorating and blood-cooling properties.

Stalactite (Shi Zhong Ru): Sweet, warm, non-toxic. [Preparation] Boil with Licorice Root (Gan Cao) and Purple-leafed Tiankui for one shichen (approx. 2 hours), pound into powder, place in a mortar, grind finely, process via water levigation, clarify, and grind ten thousand times more. Store in porcelain vessels. If not properly refined, ingestion causes strangury (Lin syndrome).

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats cough with reverse flow of qi, brightens the eyes, benefits essence, calms the five zang organs, unites the hundred joints, opens the nine orifices, and promotes lactation.

[Invention] Stalactite is the accumulation of mountain spirit qi and yang energy; thus, it is crystal clear, white, and hollow, possessing pure yang penetrating nature, specifically targeting the Qi aspect of the Yangming meridian. If the substance is solid and dark-colored, it likely grows in yin-damp valleys and may contain snake/scorpion toxins; mistaken ingestion harms humans. Only those from milky sources, shaped like goose or duck tubes, are superior. However, its nature tends to assist yang; those with yin deficiency should avoid taking it lightly. The *Neijing* states: "The qi of mineral drugs is fierce; ingestion causes sudden abundance of yang qi and robust physical form." Ignorant people rejoice in this, indulging in lust, secretly damaging their essence while the mineral qi remains alone, causing isolated yang to blaze fiercely. Over time, Ying and Wei qi become disordered, leading to strangury/turbid urine and carbuncles/furuncles. Is this the fault of the mineral drugs, or self-inflicted? It is most effective for lung qi deficiency-cold, cough with reverse qi, asthma with clear phlegm, lower jiao deficiency with weak legs, impotence, cold slippery large intestine, and involuntary seminal emission. The *Bencao Jing*'s indication for cough with reverse qi relies on its warm and descending nature to return qi to its origin, curing the disease. When the five zang organs are calm, essence naturally benefits, and vision clears. Its ability to unite joints, open orifices, and promote lactation stems from its sweet-warm yang-assisting and white-color-orifice-opening power. Ancients stated Stalactite is incompatible with Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu), yet the *Qianjin Fang* frequently uses them together, exploiting their incompatibility to trigger extraordinary effects. I have personally tested this without harm. Konggong Nie: Refers to the hanging formations within the pores of stalactite rocks, resembling tree burls, which are the bedrock of stalactites. Its functions of opening nine orifices and promoting lactation are identical to Stalactite. Yinnie is the root of Konggong Nie, used for warming and dispersing nodular qi in carbuncles, hemorrhoids, and masses (Zhengjia). Alas! Few know this today.