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Non-toxic. Grows in the soil.

Mangxiao (Mirabilite) mainly treats accumulations and masses in the five zang organs, chronic heat, gastric obstruction; it eliminates pathogenic factors, breaks up retained blood, resolves phlegm-solidities and knotting in the abdomen, unblocks meridians, promotes urination and defecation, regulates menstruation, breaks up the five types of strangury (Lin syndrome), pushes out the old and brings forth the new (Recorded by Famous Physicians). [Name] Penxiao (Basin Mirabilite). [Origin] The *Tujing* states: It is produced in the valleys of Yizhou, Wudu, and Longxi; nowadays it is available throughout the north and south. This also originates from Puxiao (Crude Mirabilite). By washing Puxiao with warm water to extract the juice, clarifying it, refining it, and pouring it into a wooden basin, after overnight it crystallizes into a substance that is clear and white like ice and snow, with fine芒 (awn-like) crystals, distinct edges, crisp and brittle, easily broken; when exposed to wind, it forms frost-like powder, hence called Mangxiao, also known as Penxiao. Its nature is mild and gentle, widely used in ancient and modern times. For medicinal use, the variety from Ningzhou is considered superior. [Season] (Growth) No fixed season. (Harvest) March. (Storage) Store in porcelain vessels. (Usage Standard) Clear and pure ones are preferred. (Color) White. (Taste) Acrid, Bitter. (Nature) Cold, with purgative action. (Qi and Taste) The Qi aroma is stronger than the taste; belongs to Yin. (Odor) Rotten odor. (Indications) Heat stagnation in epidemic diseases, promotes urination and defecation. (Assistant Herb) Shiwei (Pyrrosia Leaf) acts as its guide. (Incompatibility) Dislikes Maijujiang (Veratrum nigrum) and Liuhuang (Sulfur); Jing Sanleng (Burreh's Curcuma Rhizome) fears it. (Processing) Leigong says: Process by wet-milling with water, filter through five layers of paper to remove sediment, dry in a pan, then grind in a mortar into powder for arbitrary use. (Therapeutic Effects) *Yaoxing Lun* records: Unblocks female menstrual closure, treats mass formations, expels scrofula, treats jaundice and lacquer dermatitis; apply juice externally; disperses evil blood in cases of epidemic heat stagnation. *Bielu* records: Decoct for soaking in cases of subungual abscess (Dai Zhi); mix with water and apply for erysipelas (Huo Dan Du); boil in water and apply for all rashes; for infantile erysipelas spreading over the body, which is fatal if reaching the heart, add Mangxiao to decoction, take concentrated liquid to wipe the affected area; also treats Guan Ge syndrome (obstruction of upper and lower orifices) with inability to urinate or defecate, abdominal distension and impending death; use 3 liang of Mangxiao, wrap in paper three to four layers, roast over charcoal until dissolved into one sheng of decoction, drink entirely. One should first drink one sheng of decoction, wait for vomiting to occur, then take the medicine. Also, take 1 liang of Mangxiao, place in a copper vessel, refine over high fire, cool down, sieve through fine raw silk, and instill into eyes with nebulae at the corners once before sleep. [Combined Treatment] Grind Mangxiao and combine with pig gallbladder to treat peptic ulcers/sores caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage) before suppuration; apply topically for immediate effect. [Contraindication] Not to be taken by pregnant women.