Library

Raw gold (Gold not refined) is acrid in flavor and neutral in nature, with toxicity; Gold foil (extremely thin sheets of gold) is non-toxic.

[Invention] Gold can subdue Liver Wood, thus it can treat conditions such as convulsions, epilepsy, wind-heat, and diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder channels. However, it must be processed into gold foil to avoid the risk of heavy, sinking properties damaging the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach). In the Zixue Powder (Purple Snow Formula), red gold leaves are decocted in water to utilize its function of suppressing the Liver and descending rebellious Phlegm. Solid ingots or jewelry made of gold are unsuitable for medicinal use as they lack therapeutic flavor and contain grease.

Silver foil has functions similar to gold, but it enters the Qi Level rather than the Blood Level, which is a slight difference. The *Zhouhou Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies) uses silver foil in the Wushi Tang (Five Minerals Decoction) to treat carbuncles and swellings.

Copper filings are bitter in flavor and neutral in nature, with mild toxicity.

[Invention] To treat "Zei Feng" (Robber Wind) causing body reversal and spasms, burn five jin (approx. 2.5 kg) of red copper until red-hot, then immerse it repeatedly one hundred times in two dou (approx. 20 liters) of wine. Take five he (approx. 100 ml) per dose, three times daily, until effective. "Chitongluo" refers to the debris falling from hammering copper, which is similar to Natural Pyrite (Ziran Tong) and can therefore also set bones. Soaking red copper in vinegar seven times, combined with other herbs like Chinese Gallnut (Wubeizi), can dye hair black and lustrous. Chen Cangqi stated: Red copper filings can weld human bones and livestock bones that are damaged. When finely ground and administered with wine, the medicine reaches the site of bone injury directly. After the death of livestock, examining the bones reveals welding marks as verification.

Copper acetate (Tongqing) is sour and bitter in flavor, neutral in nature, with slight toxicity.

[Invention] Copper acetate forms through the action of vinegar and enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels. Dipping it in vinegar and stimulating the throat induces vomiting of Wind-Phlegm. As a powder, it treats sore throat (Houbi) and gum rot (Yangan). Mixed with vinegar and applied to the armpits, it treats axillary odor (Huchou). Mixed with ginger juice and applied to eyes with ulcerated margins (Lanyan Feng), it removes childhood malnutrition parasites (Gan) and kills insects. All these treatments address diseases of the Jueyin channel.

Natural Pyrite (Ziran Tong) is acrid in flavor and neutral in nature, with slight toxicity. It should be calcined by fire, quenched in vinegar seven times, placed on the ground for seven days to eliminate fire toxicity, and then processed using the water-flying method. Copper itself is not unsuitable for medicinal use. New specimens possess strong fire toxicity and dryness; they must be used with caution and not employed casually.

[Invention] Natural Pyrite is mined from copper pits. Its nature is hard and rigid. It specializes in dispersing Fire and relieving pain, with the primary function of setting bones. After the bone is set, it is essential to regulate Qi and invigorate blood circulation to prevent the harsh and fierce nature of the mineral from damaging the Middle Jiao and scattering the True Qi.

Ancient coins (Guqian) are acrid in flavor and neutral in nature, with slight toxicity.

[Invention] Coating ancient coins with ginger juice and scraping the verdigris to apply to the eyes can remove visual obstructions (Yizhang), dissipate stasis, and reduce redness and swelling. Healing occurs immediately upon application. Although initial application may cause tears to flow profusely, it ultimately causes no harm. However, it is contraindicated for those suffering from sores/ulcers, and for individuals with internal cataracts due to Liver and Kidney deficiency. For women with difficult labor (Nichean) and the five types of strangury (Wulin), the decoction of ancient coins can be used. For early-stage buboes (Biandu, often referring to inguinal lymphadenitis), chewing them together with walnut meat (Hetao Rou) and consuming two or three pieces can resolve the condition. Biandu belongs to the Liver channel; this treatment utilizes Metal (copper/coin) to subdue Wood (Liver).