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Xie re, run zao ruan jian.
(Mingfan, Sodium Sulfate) can purge heat, moisten dryness, and soften hardness.
Acrid, sweet, salty, and cold in nature. It removes excess heat from the stomach and sweeps away accumulated feces in the intestines. (Wu An stated: For patients with persistent diarrhea and dysentery, using Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) and Mingfan to push out stagnation can actually stop the diarrhea and dysentery. This is because if the accumulated feces are not cleared, the disease will not be cured, which aligns with the classic principle of "treating obstruction with unblocking methods" [Tong Yin Shi Yong].) It moistens dryness, breaks up accumulations, reduces swelling, and improves vision. (When blood heat is eliminated, swelling subsides and vision clears.) Bo Puxiao (Mirabilite) until dissolved, boil together with Laifu (Radish), then decoct again with Gancao (Licorice Root). Refine it in a jar to remove its salty and cold properties, making it "yin containing yang," with a slightly milder nature, allowing it to substitute for Puxiao. It is strictly contraindicated for those with deficient stomach qi and no excess heat. Bitter Shen (Sophora Root) should also be avoided.

Xiao, xiao rou ji.
(Liusuanghuang, Sulfur) tastes salty and bitter, is acrid, hot, and toxic. It eliminates food stagnation, breaks up blood stasis, treats yige (dysphagia/esophageal obstruction) and zhengjia (abdominal masses), and removes eye nebulae and caruncles. (When boiling tough meat, adding a small amount makes it tender easily; thus, it has special efficacy in treating yige, zhengjia, and flesh accumulations.) Due to its hot and toxic nature, it can corrode metals. Materia Medica claims it can transform human heart into blood, which is an exaggeration; it should not be used lightly. Liusuanghuang originates from Western Regions, formed by the crystallization of brine, resembling salt blocks, and dissolves in cold, damp places. White and clean ones are superior. Process by water levigation, boil with vinegar until dry like frost, scrape off and use. (For nasal polyps, apply powder to spot them, and they will fall off; for sudden swelling of the uvula, wrap 5 qian of sulfur in cotton and hold in mouth, swallowing saliva brings relief.)

Xie, qu tan re.
(Pengsha, Borax) tastes sweet and salty, and is cool in nature. Its white color and light texture allow it to clear phlegm-heat from the upper jiao chest and diaphragm, treating houbi (sore throat/laryngeal obstruction) and various oral and dental diseases. (If one feels initial swelling and pain in the throat, holding it in the mouth and swallowing saliva prevents the development of houbi.) It can soften metals and remove grease/dirt, thus treating yige, accumulations, tubercles, caruncles, eye nebulae, and fish bones stuck in the throat. (Salty substances soften hardness; holding in mouth and swallowing juice helps.) Do not use lightly unless the syndrome indicates excess. Borax from Western Regions is white like alum; that from Southern Regions is yellow like peach gum. It can counteract mercury and copper alloys. (Pengsha and sand can both be used for gold and silver soldering.)

Da zao, bu yang, sha chong.
(Liusuanghuang, Sulfur) tastes sour, is toxic, extremely hot, and purely yang. (Liusuanghuang is the essence of yang, extremely hot, paired with the extremely cold Dahuang, both known as "Generals".) It supplements the deficiency of true fire in the Mingmen (Gate of Life). Although hot, it promotes bowel movement, unlike other drying/astringent herbs. (Hot herbs often cause constipation, but only Liusuanghuang is warming yet promoting flow.) It is used when yang qi suddenly collapses, in yin-toxic typhoid, chronic cold diarrhea, spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, or when life is hanging by a thread; it is a miraculous medicine for saving critical conditions. It treats cold bi (painful obstruction) and cold accumulations, cold feet with weakness, and elderly deficiency constipation. (The Bureau Formulary contains Banshen Wan.) It treats female genital erosion, infant slow convulsion, warms essence and strengthens yang, kills parasites, treats sores, repels evil spirits, transforms metals, and dries mercury. (Liusuanghuang is purely yang; long-term use after refining causes excessive heat harm. Moreover, users often abuse it for lust, bringing disaster upon themselves, not blaming the herb. Sun Sheng's Tanpu states: Liusuanghuang is extremely hot; taken after fire refining, it often causes back carbuncles. Bo Zhai Bian states: Jin Ye Dan is refined from sulfur, a pure yang substance suitable for those with chronic cold, but summer consumption causes fire damage. Yi Jian Zhi states: Tang Yuzheng knew medicine and treated by intent. Officer Wu suffered urinary retention, passing urine slightly when lying down but none when standing. All diuretics failed. Tang recalled Wu took Hei Xi Dan daily and realized: During crystallization, sulfur volatilized, leaving lead. Lead crystals entered the bladder; lying down shifts weight allowing urination, standing blocks the urethra. He prescribed 300 pills of Jin Ye Dan in ten doses with Qumai Decoction. Lead reacts with sulfur to dissolve, restoring flow. My maternal uncle had similar symptoms as a child; diuretics failed. Old doctor Huang Wuju diagnosed small meatal opening, not strangury. He inserted bone shavings to dilate the opening, preventing complications from strong diuretics. Sulfur turns lead to water, revered by alchemists as Jin Ye Dan.) Used correctly with proper refining, even those abstaining from sexual activity can benefit. Improper use causes serious harm. Imported goods are best (hardest to find). Select yellow, stone-like pieces. Hollow out Laifu (Radish), insert sulfur, seal, and roast in bran fire to remove odor. Boil with Zi Bei Fu Ping (Marsilea quadrifida) to reduce fire toxicity. Wash with Zao Jia Decoction to remove black impurities. Alternatively, place in silk bag, boil in wine for three days and nights. Or boil in pig large intestine for three hours. It is incompatible with Xixin (Asarum), vinegar, and various blood-invigorating herbs. Earth sulfur is acrid, hot, and fishy-smelling; suitable only for external sore medicines, not for internal administration.