Library

[Qingfen (Calomel)]
Pungent, cold, dry, and toxic. It seizes phlegm-saliva, eliminates accumulations, kills parasites, and penetrates meridians. It should not be taken lightly. Currently, people use it to treat yángméi dú chuāng (syphilis), forcing pathogens out through the gums. However, if toxins enter the meridians and bones, causing blood depletion, they often become chronic diseases. Only Tufuling (Smilax Glabra Rhizome) can resolve these lingering toxins. Fenshuang (White Precipitate) is similar in action.

[Shuiyin / Mercury]
Bitter, cold, and toxic. It attacks blood and circulates throughout the meridians. Its green color enters the Liver; it strongly induces abortion.

[Shexiang (Musk)]
Salty, cold, with a fierce nature that moves rapidly. It enters the Liver and Stomach channels. Its function is specifically to move and disperse; it can enter and exit Yin and Yang, penetrate meridians, enter the Ying (Nutritive) level to break up stagnation and pathogenic factors, reaching the disease site directly. It unblocks menstruation, promotes lactation, reduces swelling, suppurates carbuncles, relieves pain, expels pus, harmonizes injuries, and promotes eruption of sores. It is an essential herb for treating wind disorders, malaria, and dermatological conditions.

[Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis)]
Sweet, salty, warm. It has a moving nature. Internally, it travels through the Zang-Fu organs; externally, it permeates the skin. It penetrates bones to search out wind, stops convulsions, and arrests spasms. It treats wind-dampness, paralysis, scabies, and leprosy, as well as toxicity in the skin and bones; impurities should be removed completely.

[Lingyang Jiao (Saiga Antelope Horn)]
Its functions are the same as Qishe (Five-Step Snake), but it is non-toxic and its potency is weaker. The potency of larger horns is even less.

[Bingpian (Borneol)]
Pungent, salty, warm, associated with Wood. It disseminates and soothes the five Zang organs and circulates through the twelve meridians. It moves Qi, dispels wind, and breaks up accumulations. It treats various diseases such as wind-dampness and phlegm-fluid retention. Its nature is extremely rapid and penetrating; it is effective for accumulations that have not healed after long treatment. However, it greatly depletes True Qi and consumes Blood, so its use requires careful consideration.

[Chansu (Toad Venom)]
See "Bladder Powder" formula.

[Xiong Dan (Bear Bile)]
Sweet, bitter, warm. It induces sweating and disperses wind-dampness. It ascends to the top of the head, descends to the feet and knees, and reaches the skin externally. It treats various diseases of the head and face, generalized itching, and is used to remove splinters. Extracted from the root and boiled into a paste, it is called Wanying Gao (Ten-Thousand-Indication Ointment); its functions are roughly the same.

[Shexiang (Musk - specific context)]
Pungent and aromatic, good at moving. Its temperature is cool when used. It first enters the Lung channel and transmits to the Heart and Spleen, then penetrates bones and opens orifices to disperse stagnant fire, repel evil, eliminate wind, and transform dampness. It is suitable for wind disorders located in the bone marrow. If used for wind in the blood vessels and muscles, using Bingpian (Borneol) and Shexiang (Musk) instead will draw wind into the bones, from which it cannot be expelled.

[Zhusha (Cinnabar)]
Pungent, dispersing, neutral. It induces sweating, releases the muscle layer, unblocks Yang Qi above and below, invigorates blood, and resolves toxicity. White [cinnabar] is cold; green [cinnabar] is hot. Taking white cinnabar with honey is fatal. Green leaves are used to treat edema and foot swelling caused by water disorders.

[Xionghuang (Realgar)]
See "Lung Powder" formula.

[Shexiang (Musk - Menzi/Core)]
Pungent, warm, aromatic, and moving. It opens meridians and unblocks all orifices. Internally, it penetrates the bone marrow; externally, it permeates the skin and hair. It searches out wind and treats various wind, Qi, and Blood disorders, as well as fruit and alcohol accumulations. It repels evil, resolves toxicity, and kills parasites. If wind is in the muscles and misused with this, it may draw wind into the bones. Using Dangmenzi (the core pellet of musk) yields superior results.