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[Ri Hua Zi]
[Odor and Flavor] Pungent, slightly cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Mainly treats vomiting with reverse qi, regurgitation, convulsions, epilepsy, and manic-depressive disorders; clears heat, directs rebellious qi downward. After refining, it can be restored to "Nine Light" (referring to pure lead). Long-term consumption enhances spiritual clarity.
[Analysis] Says: Lead tetroxide (Qian Dan) originally derives from lead and is produced in Pingze, Shu Commandery. Nowadays, it is mostly made by calcining lead. The method involves using one jin of lead, ten liang of native sulfur, and one liang of saltpeter. Melt the lead into liquid, add vinegar dropwise to induce reaction. When boiling, add a piece of sulfur. After a short while, add a little more saltpeter. Once boiling subsides, add vinegar again, following the previous method to add small amounts of saltpeter and sulfur. Wait until it naturally turns into powder, then the cinnabar-like substance is formed. Currently, many use lead dross (residue from making lead powder) that cannot form powder. By mixing alum and saltpeter and calcining them, a substance resembling cinnabar is produced, but its efficacy is weaker. If one wishes to convert the cinnabar back into lead, simply mix the cinnabar with juice from lotus stamens and green onion whites, slowly decoct, resulting in a golden liquid. Pour this onto the earth, and it will revert to lead. Commercially available lead tetroxide often contains impurities such as salt, saltpeter, and sand. Before use, it must be washed with clean water to remove saltpeter and salt, and sifted to remove sand. Clarify and dry, then slowly stir-fry over low fire until it turns purple-red. Place it on the earth to dissipate fire toxicity before medicinal use. The *Huidian* records: One jin of black lead yields one jin five qian of cinnabar after calcination.

[Kou Zongshi] Says: Lead embodies heavy and profound properties, belonging to the Water element among the Five Metals. Through alchemical point-cooking, it becomes cinnabar. Crushing large pieces into fine dust, and converting cinnabar back to lead, aligns with returning from the finest to the primordial. Moving from lower to upper, from exterior to interior, the primordial Yin and Yang unite. In movement and stillness, the Nine Lights appear, completing the nature of the cinnabar body. Thus, it treats vomiting, regurgitation, fright, running madly, mania, and epilepsy. For conditions moving from lower to upper, treatment directs them from upper to lower. For epilepsy requiring downward-moving qi, and for adverse accumulations moving from exterior to interior, treatment expels them from interior to exterior. Water assisting Fire removes heat; Fire assisting Water connects to spirit. The corresponding effect of the completed cinnabar is most swift with lead.

(Zheng Lei Ben Cao)
[Odor and Flavor] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Burning it repels epidemic Qi (seasonal infectious diseases) and strange energies in dwellings. Carrying it protects children from evil Qi.
[Analysis] Says: Jiangzhen Xiang (Dragon's Blood Incense), originally named Xinjiang, originates from Southern Guizhou, mountains of the South Sea, and Daqin (Rome). It resembles Sappanwood (Caesalpinia sappan). When burned, its fragrance is not strong, but when mixed with other spices, the aroma becomes exceptionally beautiful. For medicinal use, imported Jiangzhen that is purple and moist is considered superior. It is now found in Guangdong, Guangxi, Annam, Hanzhong, Shizhou, Yongshun, Baojing, as well as Champa, Siam, Brunei, and Ryukyu. Zhu Fu's *Ximan Conghua* states: Jigu Xiang (Chicken Bone Incense) is Jiangxiang, originally from Hainan. Those produced in remote stream valleys today are similar but not identical, being tough, slender, and not very fragrant. Zhou Daguan's *Zhenlu Ji* states: Jiangxiang grows in dense forests. Foreigners expend considerable effort cutting it down, as it is the heartwood. The outer white bark is thick, eight or nine cun, or five or six cun. When burned, its scent is potent and travels far. Also, Ji Han's *Caomu Zhuang* describes Ziteng Xiang: long stems, fine leaves, extremely solid roots with layered bark, white flowers, and black seeds. Cutting the stem and placing it in smoke/flame for a long time turns it into purple incense, which can descend spirits.
[Kou Zongshi] Says: Jiangzhen is Xinjiang, capable of pushing out the old and bringing forth the new. "Jiang" refers to deep red. The *I Ching* states: Qian trigram represents red; Kan trigram represents deep red. Does it penetrate the primordial Qi? It primarily facilitates pulse changes to follow Yang, distancing itself from extinction to follow Yin. True burning Jiangzhen interprets the name "Descending Truth." "Truth" implies immortals transforming and connecting to Heaven, holding Heaven and Earth, grasping Yin and Yang, standing alone guarding the spirit, called True Spirit. Thus, it treats epidemic Qi, strange energies in dwellings, and repels evil Qi. Distancing from generating Yang, manifesting aspects of dying Yin, it gathers and eliminates. Observing the red heart within and the heavy skin consolidating, it resembles protecting the exterior as Solid Yang, and storing essence to rise urgently as Yin. Master Zhang Zhongjing's ancestral formula treats half-birth and leakage due to pulse reversal, assisted by green onion stems to connect to Yang channels. The Sovereign herb is Inula Flower (Xuanfu), truly the commander of Ying-Blood. "Xuan" means rotating, like directing banners; "Fu" means ambushing troops, following the banner's direction. Then, the newly descended rises urgently in Yin and guards the exterior in Yang, so those who move stay, and those who stay move. The *Bencao* lost the category listing; Li Shizhen added it to the *Compendium*. Treating metal wounds, fractures, and uncontrolled bleeding follows the principle of movement and staying in the ancestral formula and extends it. The subtitle "Jiangzhen" is indeed justified. I further extend its meaning: not only does it bring auspiciousness to young men and women, but it can also address the faults of elders.