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[Salt]
Salty, cold in nature, non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records: It primarily treats heat accumulation causing wheezing and counterflow qi, chest pathology, and induces vomiting.
[Invention/Commentary]
The salty flavor enters the Kidney meridian and the Blood level. Patients with Kidney diseases or Blood-level pathologies should consume little salt, as blood coagulates when exposed to salinity. In kidney-tonifying formulas, salt is used merely as a guiding agent. For dry huoluan (acute abdominal disorder), stench-poison, headache, and abdominal pain, salt water is often used to induce vomiting. The *Shennong Bencao Jing*'s mention of treating heat accumulation with wheezing and counterflow qi is because salt can direct Qi downward; excessive salt draws saliva and fluids to accumulate above the diaphragm, thereby inducing vomiting. People who crave salt often have dark complexions, which is evidence of blood consumption. Salt is contraindicated in edema cases, as it travels to the Kidney and aids the rebellious fullness of pathological water. *Qianjin Fang* treats difficult labor where the fetus's hands or feet present first by rubbing salt on the mother's abdomen and coating the fetal limbs; quickly scratching with fingernails causes the limbs to retract for normal delivery. Furthermore, salt neutralizes gu poison (parasitic toxins). Leeches and earthworms dissolve into water upon contact with salt. For insect stings, applying salt resolves the toxicity immediately. Salt is salty in taste and descending in nature, directing Qi downward most rapidly. It treats sores in the lower body, expels phlegm from the chest, and stops sudden heart and abdominal pain. It should not be consumed in excess, as it damages the Lungs, leading to a propensity for coughing. Bian Que stated that it can eliminate all types of wind-induced pain; when heated and applied externally, it soothes the area. Currently, to rescue goldfish dying during thunderstorms and heavy rain, if the mouth moves slightly, placing them in water mixed with a small amount of salt and gently agitating the water revives them; applying salt to damaged scales or tails promotes regrowth. Salt is the essence of water, possessing specific nourishing and moistening powers. When people suffer from abdominal distension after consuming floodwater, drinking salt water and inducing vomiting brings relief, demonstrating its ability to resolve water toxicity.

[Rongyan / Potash Salt]
Also known as Stone Salt, commonly called Green Salt, similar to Guangming Yan (Bright Salt).
Salty, cold in nature, non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records: It brightens the eyes, treats eye pain, benefits Qi, strengthens sinews and bones, and eliminates toxic parasites.
[Invention/Commentary]
Rongyan forms through the condensation of extreme Yin Qi without refining, retaining profound Yin properties. Its efficacy specializes in entering the Blood level and Kidney meridian, treating eye conditions characterized by stasis, redness, blurriness, and astringency. *Jingui Yaolue*'s Fuling Rongyan Tang treats urinary obstruction, utilizing its ability to tonify the Kidney and benefit the Bladder. It also strengthens teeth, brightens eyes, treats eye pain, benefits Qi, and strengthens sinews and bones, all deriving from its Kidney-tonifying power. The *Shennong Bencao Jing*'s primary indication for brightening eyes and treating eye pain addresses internal heat hyperactivity, treated with salty-cold substances. The mention of eliminating gu poison arises because salt softens hardness, preventing toxic parasitic pathogens from floating and growing.