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Bai Tan Huo (White Charcoal Fire) is indicated for the accidental ingestion of gold, silver, copper, or iron lodged in the abdomen. The charcoal should be heated until red-hot, rapidly ground into a fine powder, decocted in water, and taken orally. For severe cases, scrape off three qian of charcoal powder, mix with well water, and administer; if ineffective, repeat the dose. (From *Bencao Gangmu*)

[Origin] Wood burned into charcoal is available everywhere. Various types of wood can be carbonized for medicinal use, but only Bai Tan (White Charcoal) and Li Tan (Oak Charcoal) are used medicinally.

[Usage] Bai Tan (White Charcoal) is hard and solid. Wood decays over time, but charcoal buried in soil does not decay because wood possesses "Sheng Xing" (Vital Nature), whereas charcoal lacks it. Funeral practitioners use charcoal to prevent insects and ants from penetrating bamboo and wood roots, precisely because it lacks this vital nature. In ancient times, two days before the Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice, earth and charcoal were hung on opposite ends of a balance scale to achieve equilibrium. When Yin Qi arrives, the earth becomes heavier; when Yang Qi arrives, the charcoal becomes heavier.

[Texture] Unequal in length and size.

[Color] Raw charcoal appears red; dead charcoal appears black.

[Nature] Warm and hot.

[Qi Movement] The flame can ascend and descend; it is Yang within Yin, and also Yin within Yang.

[Therapeutic Actions] (From *Baiyi Fang*): Treats Bai Lai Tou Chuang (White Leukoderma of the scalp). Heat white charcoal until red-hot, immerse it in boiling water, and wash the affected area with the warm solution for efficacy. ○ (From *Qianjin Fang*): Treats sudden pharyngeal obstruction. Mix charcoal powder with honey to form pills, which are held in the mouth and swallowed. ○ (From *Jiji Fang*): Treats scalds and burns. Mix charcoal powder with sesame oil and apply topically.

[Combined Therapy] (From *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Bai Hu Feng Tong (White Tiger Gout), characterized by pain wandering day and night through all joints as if being bitten. Use five sheng of charcoal ash, one sheng of earthworm mud, and seven niann of Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius flowers). Mix and simmer, then combine with vinegar. Wrap in old cloth to make two packs, and alternately apply hot compresses to the painful areas for efficacy.

[Detoxification] (Li Shizhen stated): Resolves toxicity from Mercury (Shuiyin) and Calomel (Qingfen). Placing fire-laden charcoal into water extracts mercury from it. Standing charcoal wards off evil spirits and malevolent Qi; placing it indoors on New Year's Eve wards off evil influences. Oak charcoal fire is primarily used for refining metallic and mineral medicines. (From *Pinhui Fenlu*) ○ (From Zhou Wang Puji Fang): Treats chronic or acute Chang Feng Xia Xue (Intestinal Wind with lower bleeding). Use three qian of dense charcoal and five qian of Zhi Qiao (Aurantii Fructus) roasted until charred but retaining its nature. Grind into powder. Take three qian per dose at dawn with rice water, and another dose at sunrise. Efficacy is seen on the same day. Avoid greasy and toxic foods.

Tan Huo (Charcoal Fire) is mainly used for cooking, decocting, roasting, and baking various herbal pills and powders. (From *Pinhui Fenlu*) ○ (From Chen Shi Jingyan Fang): Treats Yin Nang Shi Bi (Damp Bi Syndrome of the Scrotum). Dust the area with Fu Pi Tan (Rice Husk Charcoal) and Zi Su Ye Mo (Perilla Leaf Powder).