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[Shangpin (Superior Grade) of the Classic of Materia Medica]
Earth is Qi of Earth, sand is clearer and looser. Returning to its root after separating from its origin, vitality is often present. Each possesses a predominant mixed color to suit the four seasons: Green for Spring, Red for Summer, White for Autumn, Black for Winter. Therefore, Yunsha (Cloud Sand), which has a yellow hue, is suitable for Ji Xia (Late Summer). Tulinshi (Soil Phosphor Stone), which is crystal clear, pure white without mixed colors, is suitable for the four seasons. It can also be specifically suitable for Autumn. Baiyun Zhi Mu (Mother of White Clouds) is the Mother of Water. It does not say that clouds are born beneath it, but that clouds cover it above. From this, we can deduce that the meaning of "Mu" (Mother) is profound; the Heart comprehends this. When firewood burns at the bottom of a pot, water emerges, which further proves this point.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic.

[Indications] Primarily treats dead skin and muscles (numbness or necrosis of the skin and muscles), wind-stroke with alternating chills and fever, dizziness as if on a cart or boat, expels evil pathogens, calms the Five Viscera, benefits Zi Jing (Essence of the Child/Offspring), brightens the eyes, lightens the body, and prolongs life.

[Verification] It states: Produced in Mount Tai, Mount Qi, Mount Lu, Langya, Beiding; currently found in Yunmeng Mountain, Fangtai Mountain, and between Jiangzhou, Chunzhou, Hangzhou, and Yuezhou. It grows among mountain rocks. It is best harvested in the second lunar month, waiting for places where cloud qi emerges, digging to retrieve it yields great success. However, one must avoid making noise during excavation. Small pieces are three to five cun long, large pieces are five to seven chi long. They form layers that can be split, are lustrous like water, and those that are white, bright, light, and transparent are most precious. Nourished by sand and soil, they grow over time. Placing one jin in a room, cloud qi often rises; observing it under the sun reveals all five colors. In shade, no mixed colors are seen. Those with much green are named Yunying (Cloud Essence); those with much red are named Yunzhu (Cloud Pearl); those with much white are named Yunye (Cloud Liquid); those with much black are named Yunmu (Mica); those possessing only green and yellow are named Yunsha (Cloud Sand); those crystal clear and pure white are named Linshi (Phosphor Stone). Each uses its predominant color to suit the appropriate season. Yunsha is suitable for Late Summer; Linshi is suitable for year-round use. Pure black ones are unfit for consumption, causing dripping discharge (urinary issues or pus) and initiating sores; these are actually Yangqishi (Stilbite). Processing method: If handled by a menstruating woman, it loses its spiritual efficacy. For every jin, use Gancao (Licorice Root), Dihuang (Rehmannia Root), Xiao Didanchao (Little Ground Gall Herb), and Zi Bei Tiankui (Purple-backed Heavenly Dew) each in the amount of one yi. Dry herbs are finely chopped; fresh herbs have their juice extracted. Place them in a porcelain pot, then add Mica. Add three yi of Tianchi Water. Boil over fire for seven days and nights, ensuring the balance of water and fire is maintained. Naturally, it brews into a jasper-green liquid that settles at the bottom. Then, violently pour in more Tianchi Water, stirring frequently. Any substance floating up like snail slime should be skimmed off. Repeat this clarification process three times. After settling and removing the water, use one liang of Chenxiang (Agarwood), pounded into powder. Use five sheng of Tianchi Water to boil down to two sheng of juice. Divide this into three portions to wash and clarify the paste. Dry it and use as needed. It treats various diseases. Baopuzi states: One may transform it into water using Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Congbai (Scallion White), and Shuiyu (Rock Crystal); or mix it with Xiaoshi (Gypsum/Felspar depending on context, here likely Alum or similar fluxing agent) in a bamboo tube and bury it to become water; or expose it to dew in an iron vessel and boil the original water to become water; or knead it with honey to make cheese-like curds; or soak it in autumn dew for one hundred days, then process it into powder; or consume it combined with Chuxue (Tree Blood) and Wudiancao (Herb preventing falling); taking it for one year eliminates hundred diseases, for three years reverses aging to childhood, with cloud qi often covering it; for five years, one can command spirits and gods, fly, and become an immortal. It dislikes Xuchangqing (Polygala wenchuanensis). Avoid mutton. It fears Wan Jia (Insect shell) and flowing water. Zexie (Alisma Rhizome) acts as its guiding herb.

[Commentary] It says: Mica generates clouds, hence named Yunmu (Mica/Mother of Clouds). Clouds contain rain, dew, frost, and snow; thus, rain, dew, frost, and snow also take the cloud as their mother. However, while the mother of clouds is called Yunmu, the mother of Yunmu is High Mountains. Buddhist scriptures state: Water's power is inferior to Fire, condensing to form high mountains. Thus, mountain stones, when struck, produce sparks/flames; when melted, they become water. Their Qi becomes moist and humid; rising upward, it becomes fiery and ascending. Therefore, we know that Water and Fire condense to form High Mountains; High Mountains nurture Yunmu; Yunmu generates cloud qi; cloud qi transforms into rain, dew, frost, and snow. Although they follow different transformations, their essential nature remains unchanged. Further investigating moist water, it all comes from Fire evaporation. Indeed, they interactively generate each other, serving as seeds for one another. The guest asks: According to the theory of Five Elements, Water conquers Fire. Now you say Water comes from Fire, is this not chaotic? Lu Zhiyi replies: This treasure produces brightness and moisture; it is not comparable to the interaction of tangible forms overcoming or transforming each other. If not for the upward steaming of Firelight, how could water, which naturally flows downward, encompass all directions? The Classic states: The Kidney suffers from dryness; urgently feed pungent flavors to moisten it. Comparing these, it truly aligns with Buddhist scriptures, which suffices to prove this. The guest asks: Ancient naming was concise; why deliberately make it peculiar? Lu Zhiyi replies: The nature and temperament of objects, if not sought unexpectedly and deduced through comparison and measurement, will be bound by words and sentences. The guest remained silent for a long time.

Dead skin and muscles indicate that Earth Qi is solidified and unresponsive. Using the ascending and transforming property of Yunmu (Mica) to plow away stubborn stagnation naturally restores vitality. Earth governs muscles. If Wind-Wood overacts upon it, cultivating the root seed causes the Wind that insults Earth to retreat spontaneously. Since Wind and Cloud belong to the same category, one uses the similar Cloud to drive away the Wind. Those afflicted by Wind cannot remain stationary; this follows the principle of transformation. Feeling like being on a cart or boat refers to the fear of strong wind and violent shaking. Calming the Five Viscera occurs because once evil pathogens are removed, Yuan Zhen (Primal Qi) flows freely, and the Five Viscera are harmonized. Benefiting Zi Jing refers to enhancing the function of Zi Jing. Brightening the eyes works because the eyes are formed from Water Essence; since it can move on water, it clarifies vision. Lightening the body and prolonging life result from cultivation and ingestion; bones transform like clouds. By combining tangible matter within the intersection of Qi, one renews daily, becoming new and not old. The processing method should be similar to Longgu (Dragon Bone) to restore its spirituality, as the nature of Yunmu follows the Dragon.

(Mica generates clouds, hence named Yunmu. Clouds contain rain, dew, frost, and snow; thus, rain, dew, and snow are the children of clouds, becoming water. Therefore, clouds should also be called Shuimu (Mother of Water). Zexie (Alisma) can also move on water and brighten the eyes, but excessive consumption leads to blindness because its draining action moves upward; when the dampness is exhausted, it dries up. In contrast, Yunmu originates from the Mother, so how could it ever be exhausted?)