Library

[Huangdan (Lead Monoxide)]
Pungent, salty, and cold in nature. It is heavy and yin, penetrating the blood level. It can descend phlegm and reduce fever, calm rebellious qi to treat palpitations and fright, relieve pain, promote tissue regeneration, kill parasites, and secure collapse. (Huangdan is made from lead, sulfur, and saltpeter; its specific method of preparation is unknown. Generally, its external applications are more prominent. Its internal uses rely solely on its sedative and astringent properties. However, substances that are cold, heavy, and yin are ultimately not suitable for prolonged or excessive internal use.)

[Mituoseng (Litharge)]
It calms the heart and anchors the spirit, descends phlegm-saliva. Internal use relies entirely on its cold and heavy nature. It eliminates scars and reduces nasal polyps. External application leverages its pungent and salty flavors. (Mitoseng is said to be the furnace bottom residue from smelting silver. Initially a mixture of silver and lead, after heating, the lead sinks and condenses over time. Another theory suggests it is formed by refining the dregs left from making Huangdan. It is uncertain which is correct. Broadly, it shares the properties of lead, so its functions differ slightly from Lead Powder and Huangdan. In external surgery, it is used in preparing plasters to consolidate them. Its abilities to generate flesh and cool blood are notable. Furthermore, among the five metals, lead can be alloyed with various copper and tin mixtures of varying grades. Thus, the utility of lead is vast, justifying its title as the ancestor of the five metals.)

[Zi Shiyong (Fluorite))
It can enter the Heart and Liver meridians, warm and nourish Ying-blood, and moisten. It can unblock the extraordinary vessels and anchor the ascending Qi of the Chong vessel. Although it comes in five colors, its nature is consistently sweet and pungent. (Zi Shiyong resembles amethyst and belongs to the jade category. While it appears in five colors, only purple and white varieties are used medicinally, both possessing warming, nourishing, and moistening properties. It should not be calcined; if heated, it loses its mild nature and may become toxic and harsh. Mineral drugs are indeed potent. It enters the blood aspect of the Heart and Liver, warms the uterus, anchors the Chong Qi, and has moistening and tonifying effects. Therefore, it is suitable for women suffering from infertility due to deficiency-cold in the Blood Sea.)

[Zhu Sha (Cinnabar)]
Sweet in taste and cold in nature. It has effective sedative and descending properties, removing pathogenic heat. As the mercury source in external alchemy, it prevents mania and insanity, and clears phlegm from epilepsy. It wards off malevolent influences to calm the spirit and protects the Heart while detoxifying. (Zhu Sha is found in the valleys of Chenzhou, Hunan. It is endowed with the Qi of Li Fire, being yang externally and yin internally, containing true mercury. It receives the pure and spiritual Qi of Kun Earth, thus being non-toxic yet capable of resolving toxicity. Anything endowed with upright Qi can overcome pathogens, and stones are no exception. It must not be calcined and specifically enters the Heart meridian and blood level. Its main therapeutic actions revolve around the four characters: sweet, cold, heavy, and anchoring. Zhu Sha's efficacy fully encompasses these characteristics.)