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[Luofan / Green Vitriol]
Non-toxic. Produced through decoction and refining.
Treats Hou Bi (throat obstruction/swelling), Ya Gan (gum ulcers), as well as malignant sores, scabies, and tinea. Grind the crucian carp stuffed with the medicine into ash and take mixed with it to treat Chang Feng Xie Xue (blood in stool due to wind in intestines) [Recorded by Famous Physicians].
【Origin】According to *Tu Jing Ben Cao* (*Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica*): Produced in Wenquan County of Xizhou, Tongling County of Chizhou, and places where vitriol is refined. Initially, it exists as stone; after collection, it is crushed and refined into the final product. Currently, dyers also use it extensively.
【Harvesting】Available at any time.
【Selection】The clear and pure ones are preferred.
【Color】Green.
【Taste】Sour.
【Nature】Cold.
【Qi and Flavor Attributes】Thin Qi, strong Flavor, Yin nature.
【Odor】Fishy.
【Main Indications】Hou Bi (throat obstruction), mouth ulcers.
【Efficacy】According to *Jing Yan Fang* (*Experienced Prescriptions*): For severe infantile malnutrition (Gan Qi), Shen Xiao Dan Wan (Miraculous Efficacy Pill) is prepared as follows: Calcine until red-hot, remove, and quench in strong vinegar. Repeat this process three times. Grind finely, mix with jujube paste, and form pills the size of mung beans. Take with warm water, two to three doses daily. Currently, physicians often use it to treat Phlegm Obstruction (Tan Yong) and Heart-Lung irritability with heat, yielding excellent results.

[Liu Xu Fan / Willow Catkin Alum]
Non-toxic. Eliminates phlegm, treats thirst, moistens Heart and Lungs [Recorded by Famous Physicians].
【Origin】According to *Tu Jing Ben Cao*: Produced in valleys of Hexi, Shimen of Wudu in Longxi, and Wenquan County of Xizhou, Tongling County of Chizhou, and other vitriol-producing areas. Initially, it exists as stone; after collection, it is crushed and refined into the final product. There are five types with different colors. This alum is light and void like cotton catkins, hence its name.
【Harvesting】Available at any time.
【Selection】The light and void ones are preferred.
【Color】Grayish-white.
【Taste】Sour.
【Nature】Cold, with astringent properties.
【Qi and Flavor Attributes】Thin Qi, strong Flavor, Yin nature.
【Odor】Fishy.
【Main Indications】Eliminates phlegm, stops cough.
【Efficacy】According to *Tu Jing Ben Cao*: Treats Phlegm Obstruction (Tan Yong) and Heart-Lung irritability with heat.

[Xiaoshi / Niter]
Non-toxic. Grows in soil.
From *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* (*Divine Farmer's Materia Medica*). Mainly treats accumulation-heat in the Five Zang organs, stomach distension and closure, purges accumulated stagnation and food retention, pushes out the old to bring forth the new, and eliminates pathogenic factors. Refined into a paste; long-term use lightens the body [Red text from *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing*]. Treats one hundred and twenty diseases in the Five Zang organs and Twelve Meridians, sudden cold damage causing intense abdominal heat, relieves irritability and fullness, treats Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome), promotes urination, and corrodes sores [Black text from *Ming Yi Bie Lu* (*Additional Records by Famous Physicians*)]. It is a divine object of Heaven and Earth capable of dissolving seventy-two types of stones [Black text from *Ming Yi Bie Lu*].
【Origin】According to *Tu Jing Ben Cao*: Found in both North and South China, with those from Western Sichuan being superior. This is "Earth Frost," collected and refined. Like Jieyan (salt), when burned, the flame consumes it entirely, capable of melting metals and stones. Its nature fears fire, yet it can restrain other stones from resisting fire, making it a divine object of Heaven and Earth. Currently, medicinal use mostly extracts it from Puxiao (Mirabilite). The upper layer is called Mangxiao (Niter/Mirabilite crystal), while the lower part condensed like stone is Xiaoshi (Niter). Generally, all Xiao substances share the same origin. *Ben Jing* records their respective origins because local smelting methods vary, and the refinement levels differ, leading to variations in therapeutic efficacy (slow vs. fast). Thus, distinction is necessary. Just as Xiongqiong and Miwu, or Daji and Zeqi, are essentially the same species but recorded separately with origins because roots/stems and land have specific suitability, not being distinct entities. The same logic applies to Puxiao and Xiaoshi. Currently, Loujing Cave in Feicheng County, Jinan, which is two to three li deep, also produces Xiaoshi. People have collected and refined it successfully. Physicians value it more highly than other Xiao substances.
【Storage】Store in porcelain vessels.
【Selection】The crystal-clear ones are preferred.
【Texture】Similar to Jin Fan (alum) but lighter and more brittle.
【Color】White.
【Taste】Bitter, pungent, slightly salty (Bian Que considered it sweet).
【Nature】Great Cold, with draining properties.
【Qi and Flavor Attributes】Thin Qi, strong Flavor, Yang within Yin.
【Odor】Decayed/Rotten.
【Main Indications】Moistens dryness, softens hardness.
【Assistant/Enabler】Da Huang (Rhubarb) and Fire act as its enablers.
【Incompatibility/Aversion】Averses Ku Shen (Sophora Root), Ku Cai (Bitter Vegetable), Zeng Qing (Azurite); Feared by Nu Wan (Polygala Tenuifolia), Xing Ren (Apricot Seed), Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf), Liu Huang (Sulfur), and congee.
【Processing】Lei Gong said: When using, first grind Xiaoshi into powder. Place in a porcelain bottle and calcine in five jin of charcoal fire until red-hot. Mix Ji Chang Cai (Purslane) and Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed) together, form into small beads. When the bottle is red-hot, throw the Xiaoshi into the bottle. The Xiaoshi will naturally subdue the fire. For every four liang of Xiaoshi, use fifteen pieces of the mixture of Ji Chang Cai and Bai Zi Ren. If used commonly, grind extremely fine, place in a porcelain bottle, and calcine in charcoal fire until red-hot.
【Efficacy】According to *Yao Xing Lun* (*Discussion on Medicinal Properties*): Treats Luo Li (scrofula/lymph node tuberculosis) under the neck, breaks blood stasis, dissipates accumulations and hard masses, and treats abdominal distension. According to *Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao*: Gargle to treat Hou Bi (acute throat closure). According to *Ming Yi Bie Lu*: Treats five types of Lin disorders (dysuria/painful urination), and excruciating headache; blowing Xiaoshi powder into the nose provides immediate relief. Additionally, for those taking mineral pills who suffer from unbearable hot sores: surround the swelling with a paper ring, fill the center with Xiaoshi, and pour water over it with a spoon until the pain and heat cease. For Blood Lin (hematuria) with inability to urinate, intermittent bleeding, pain, and urgency; or Heat Lin with reddish urine, dribbling discomfort, and hypogastric urgency: take 2 qian each, mixed with cold water. For Stone Lin (urolithiasis) with urethral pain, inability to urinate, pulling sensation causing abdominal distension and acute pain, and passage of sand/stones causing fainting: fry Xiaoshi powder in a pot through paper until charred, grind fine, and take with warm water.
【Combined Therapies】Grind Xiaoshi extremely fine. Every night before sleep, use copper chopsticks to apply a amount the size of a millet seed to the corner of the eye. Wash with salt water the next morning to treat red and painful eyes. ○ Take 3 liang of Xiaoshi, mix with one sheng of warm water, let cool. Fold an old blue cloth three times, wet it, and apply as a compress to the affected area. Replace frequently when hot. Treats aversion to cold with shivering, resembling impending back carbuncles, or existing sores, swellings, and urticaria, leading to immediate recovery. ○ Mix with Kui Zi (Hibiscus Seed) powder, decoct in soup, take 2 qian mixed. Or mix with Wheat soup, take 2 qian mixed, to treat urinary retention.
【Contraindications】Not for pregnant women.