一名浮石。软坚、消老痰结核。
咸软坚。寒润下。色白体轻入肺。清其上源。（肺为水之上源、故又治诸淋。）止嗽止渴。
通
淋。化上焦老痰。消瘿瘤结核。（顽痰所结、咸能软坚、俞琰席上腐谈云∶肝属木、当浮而
反沉、肺属金、当沉而反浮、何也、肝实而肺虚也、故石入水则沉、而南海有浮水之石、木
入水则浮、而南海有沉水之香、虚实之反如此。）多服损人血气。水沫日久结成海中者。味
咸更良。（咳嗽不止、海浮石末、汤服、或蜜丸服。）
重、补肾命。
咸温。补右肾命门。治阴痿精乏。子宫虚冷。腰膝冷痹。水肿症瘕。命门火衰者。可暂
用之
。（宗 曰∶凡石药、冷热皆有毒、宜酌用、经曰∶石药发癫、芳草发狂、芳草之气美、石
药之气悍、二者相遇、恐内伤脾。）出齐州阳起山。云母根也。虽大雪遍境。此山独无。以
云头雨脚、鹭鸶毛、色白湿润者良。（真者难得。）火 。醋淬七次。研粉水飞。亦有用烧酒
、樟脑升炼取粉者。桑螵蛸为使。恶泽泻、菌桂。畏菟丝子。忌羊血。（儒门事亲方、治丹
毒肿痒、阳起石 研、新水调涂。）
一名吸铁石。重、补肾。
辛咸。色黑属水。能引肺金之气入肾。补肾益精。除烦祛热。治羸弱周痹。骨节酸痛。
（肾
主骨。）恐怯怔忡。（十剂曰∶重可去怯、慈石铁粉之属是也。）惊痫肿核。（咸软坚、止金疮
血
耳耳为肾窍。）明目。（肾水足则目明、时珍曰∶一士病目、渐生翳
、珍以羌活胜湿汤加减、而以慈朱丸佐之、两月而愈、盖慈石入肾、镇养真阴、使神水不外
移、朱砂入心、镇养心血、使邪火不上侵、佐以神曲、消化滞气、温养脾胃生发之气、乃道
家黄婆媒合婴 之理、方见孙真人千金方、但云明目、而未发出用药之微义也。）重镇伤气
。可暂用而不可久。（经疏云∶石药皆有毒、独慈石冲和、无悍猛之气、又能补肾益精、然
体重渍酒、优于丸散。）色黑。能吸铁者真。火 醋淬。研末水飞。或醋煮三日夜。柴胡为
使。恶牡丹。（误吞针铁者、用活慈石、枣核大、钻孔线穿、吞、曳之立出。慈石取铁、
如慈母之招子、故名。）
Hai Shi (Lapis Lapillus / Pumice), also known as Fu Shi. It has the effects of softening hardness and eliminating old phlegm nodules.
Its salty taste can soften hardness, and its cold nature promotes downward movement. Its white color and light texture enter the Lung Meridian, clearing the upper source of water. (Since the Lung is the upper source of water, it can also treat various types of Lin syndrome [dysuria].) It stops coughing and relieves thirst.
It promotes urination, transforms old phlegm in the Upper Jiao, and eliminates goiters and phlegm nodules. (These are formed by stubborn phlegm accumulation; the salty flavor can soften hardness. Yu Yan stated in *Xi Shang Fu Tan*: "The Liver belongs to Wood, which should be floating but instead sinks; the Lung belongs to Metal, which should sink but instead floats. Why? Because the Liver is excess and the Lung is deficient. Therefore, stones sink in water, yet there are floating stones in the South China Sea; wood floats in water, yet there are sunken fragrant woods in the South China Sea. Such is the reversal of deficiency and excess.") Prolonged use damages Qi and Blood. It is formed from sea foam over a long period in the ocean. Those with a salty taste are superior. (For persistent cough, Hai Shi powder can be taken with decoction or made into honey pills.)
Yang Qi Shi (Stalactite), heavy in nature, tonifies the Kidney Mingmen.
Its salty flavor and warm nature tonify the Right Kidney Mingmen. It treats impotence, scanty essence, uterine deficiency-cold, cold bi-syndrome in the lower back and knees, edema, and mass formations. For those with Mingmen Fire Decline, it can be used temporarily. (Li Zong said: "All mineral drugs have toxicity, whether cold or hot, so they should be used with caution. The Classics state: 'Mineral drugs induce mania, aromatic herbs induce frenzy.' Aromatic herbs have beautiful qi, while mineral drugs have fierce qi. If the two meet, they may internally damage the Spleen.") It originates from Yangqi Mountain in Qizhou. It is the root of Muscovite. Even when snow covers the surroundings, this mountain remains free of snow. Those with cloud-head and rain-foot patterns, resembling egret feathers, white in color, and moist are considered good. (Genuine ones are rare.) It should be calcined, quenched in vinegar seven times, ground into powder, and processed by water levigation. Some use distilled spirits or camphor for sublimation to obtain powder. Sang Piao Xiao (Mantis Egg Case) serves as an assistant herb. It is incompatible with Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome) and Jun Gui (Cassia Bark). It fears Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta Seed). Mutton blood is contraindicated. (In the formula from *Ru Men Shi Qin* for treating carbuncle toxin swelling and itching, Yang Qi Shi is ground fine and applied with fresh water.)
Ci Shi (Magnetite), also known as Xi Tie Shi. Heavy in nature, tonifies the Kidney.
Its pungent and salty flavors. Its black color corresponds to Water. It can guide the Qi of Lung Metal into the Kidney. It tonifies the Kidney and benefits essence, removes vexation, and dispels heat. It treats emaciation and generalized bi-syndrome, and bone-joint soreness and pain. (The Kidney governs bones.) It also treats fearfulness and palpitations. (The *Ten Formulas* states: "Heavy substances can dispel fearfulness; Ci Shi and Iron Powder belong to this category.") It treats convulsive epilepsy and swollen nodes. (Salty flavor softens hardness. Stops bleeding from metal wounds. The ear is the opening of the Kidney.) It improves vision. (When Kidney Water is sufficient, vision is clear. Li Shizhen said: "A scholar suffered from eye disease, gradually developing cataracts. I treated him with modified Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang, assisted by Ci Zhu Wan, and he recovered in two months. This is because Ci Shi enters the Kidney, stabilizing True Yin so that Shen Water does not shift outward; Cinnabar enters the Heart, nourishing Heart Blood so that pathogenic fire does not invade upward; assisted by Shen Qu to digest stagnant Qi and warm/nourish the Spleen and Stomach's generating Qi, this follows the Daoist principle of 'Huang Po matching the Infant.' This formula appears in Sun Simiao's *Qian Jin Fang*, stating only that it improves vision, without revealing the subtle meaning of the prescription.") Heavy sedatives can injure Qi; they can be used temporarily but not for long periods. (*Ben Cao Shu* states: "Mineral drugs all have toxicity, but Ci Shi alone is harmonious, lacking fierce qualities, and can tonify the Kidney and benefit essence. However, steeping its heavy weight in wine is superior to pills and powders.") Black in color, genuine ones attract iron. They should be calcined, quenched in vinegar, ground into powder, and processed by water levigation. Or boiled in vinegar for three days and nights. Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) serves as an assistant herb. It is incompatible with Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex). (If needles or iron are accidentally swallowed, live Ci Shi, sized like a jujube pit, drilled and threaded, can be swallowed and pulled out immediately. Ci Shi attracts iron like a loving mother calling her child, hence its name.)