味甘凉无毒。力可催生。治湿热诸淋。功堪磨翳。（石燕出山谷中。如燕形。其腹有
纹。石类也。不过甘凉清利之功。故主治如上。色白质重属金。金能平木。故亦能退翳耳。
）
\r皂矾\pq131.bmp\r
燥湿化痰消食积。肿胀皆除。杀虫润下治疮疳。酸凉并效。（皂矾一名绿矾。烧之则
色红。故又名绛矾。其出产性味主治。皆与白矾相同。惟此矾似出斥卤之地。以其置阴湿处
。即还潮。其色青绿。而烧之则红。故能入肝家血分。平肝伐木。化积润下之功。与白矾稍
异。）
消水肿以除瘅。散瘿瘤而化积。辛咸无毒。镇坠多功。（针砂此乃作针家磨锉之细末
也。醋 用。长于平肝镇逆。肝平则脾不受克。积聚水肿黄瘅。皆可治也。醋 醋调敷瘤。
渐渐敛小。甚效。）
（李时珍曰。土者。五行之主。坤之体也。具五色而以黄为正色。备五味而以甘为正味。
是以禹贡辨九州之土色。周官辨十二壤之土性。其为德至柔而刚。至静有常。生万物而不与。
化
味辛散逆以和中。治带疗崩。呕家圣药。质燥温脾而暖胃。敷痈解魇。远血良方。
（伏龙肝即灶心土。须对釜脐下经火久炼而成形者。具土之质。得火之性。化柔为刚。
味兼
辛苦。其功专入脾胃。有扶阳退阴散结除邪之意。凡诸血病。由脾胃阳虚而不能统摄者。皆
可用之。金匮黄土汤即此意。）
Taste is sweet, nature is cool, non-toxic. It has the power to facilitate childbirth. It treats various strangury (strangury) caused by damp-heat. Its merit can grind away nebula (nebula). (Shiyan [Stone Swallow] grows in mountain valleys. It resembles a swallow in shape and has patterns on its belly; it belongs to the stone category. It merely possesses the merit of being sweet, cool, clear, and draining, hence its indications are as described above. Its color is white and texture heavy, corresponding to Metal. Metal can subdue Wood, thus it can also eliminate nebula.)
Zaofan [Green Vitriol]
Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, and eliminates food stagnation. Distension and swelling are all removed. Kills parasites, moistens and purges, treating sores and trachoma. Both sour and cool properties are effective. (Zaofan is another name for Lüfan [Green Vitriol]. When calcined, its color turns red, hence it is also called Jiangfan [Red Vitriol]. Its place of origin, nature, taste, and indications are all the same as Bai Fan [White Alum]. However, this alum seems to originate from saline-alkali lands, as it becomes moist when placed in damp places. Its color is greenish-blue, and it turns red when calcined, thus it can enter the Blood aspect of the Liver channel, soothe the Liver, subdue Wood, transform accumulation, and moisten/purge. Its efficacy differs slightly from Bai Fan.)
Eliminates edema to remove jaundice. Scatters goiter and masses, transforming accumulation. Pungent and salty, non-toxic. Has many effects in anchoring and descending. (Zhensha [Needle Sand] is the fine powder produced by grinding and filing during needle making. It is quenched in vinegar. It excels at soothing the Liver and anchoring rebellious Qi. When the Liver is peaceful, the Spleen is not overcontrolled, and accumulation, edema, and yellow jaundice can all be treated. Mixed with vinegar and applied topically to tumors, they gradually shrink, which is very effective.)
(Li Shizhen said: Earth is the master of the Five Phases, the substance of Kun. It possesses five colors but takes yellow as the primary color. It possesses five flavors but takes sweet as the primary flavor. Therefore, *Yu Gong* distinguishes the soil colors of the nine provinces, and *Zhou Li* distinguishes the soil natures of twelve types. Its virtue is extremely soft yet firm, extremely quiet yet constant, generating all things without claiming credit.)
Taste is pungent, disperses rebellious Qi to harmonize the Middle Jiao. Treats leukorrhea, sores, and metrorrhagia. It is the sacred medicine for vomiting patients. Texture is dry, warms the Spleen and warms the Stomach. Applied externally for carbuncles, resolves nightmares. It is an excellent prescription for distant bleeding. (Fulonggan [Kitchen Hearth Earth] is earth from the center of the stove bottom that has been formed after long exposure to fire. It possesses the quality of Earth and obtains the nature of Fire, transforming softness into hardness. Its taste combines pungent and bitter. Its action specifically enters the Spleen and Stomach, embodying the intent to support Yang, dispel Yin, dissipate nodules, and eliminate pathogens. All blood diseases caused by deficiency of Spleen and Stomach Yang failing to control blood can use it. *Huangtu Tang* [Yellow Earth Decoction] in *Jin Gui Yao Lue* is based on this principle.)