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Toxic. Grows in stones.

Shi (Source: *Shennong Bencao Jing*) treats chills and fever, scrofula (lymphatic tuberculosis), ulcerating sores, necrotic tissue, wind-bi syndrome, hard masses in the abdomen, and pathogenic factors. (The above are annotated in red ink, sourced from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Clears heat, brightens the eyes, directs Qi downward, eliminates heat in the diaphragm, stops thirst due to consumption, benefits Liver Qi, breaks up accumulations, treats stubborn cold pain, and removes nasal polyps. (The above are annotated in black ink, recorded by famous physicians). After being calcined by fire for one hundred days, take one Dao Gui dose. (The above are annotated in black ink, recorded by famous physicians). [Names] Qingfen Shi, Shiyanshi, Lizhi Shi, Shuxiang, Taibai Shi, Zerou, Guyangshi, Baiyu. [Origin] (*Tujing* states) It grows in the valleys of Hanzhong and Mount Shaoshi; currently, it is also found in Luzhou. Its nature is extremely hot; when placed in water, it prevents the water from freezing. Its texture is hard and resistant to fire; after burning for a day and night, it disintegrates but retains its hardness. Many people in the market use white, fine-grained stones to counterfeit it, which turn to ash when burned. This stone is only effective for attacking accumulations and stubborn cold diseases; it can also soften metal. Only the genuine variety is excellent. (*Tangben Cao* notes) Currently, the Lishi Valley west of Wudang in Hanchuan is its true source; Mount Shaoshi also produces it, but the grains are finer and the texture better than those in Hanzhong. For medicinal use, it must be processed because it is toxic. [Harvest Time] (Harvest) Collected in the twelfth lunar month. [Storage] Stored in porcelain vessels. [Texture] Similar to Jin Fan (alum). [Color] White. [Flavor] Pungent, Sweet. [Nature] Warm when raw, extremely hot when processed. [Qi and Flavor] Both Qi and flavor are dense; belongs to Yang. [Odor] Rotten odor. [Main Actions] Dissolves accumulations, expels wind-cold. [Synergies] Benefits from fire; Ji Zhen (Spiny Needle), Qiandan (Lead Oxide) act as guides. [Incompatibilities] Feared by water; disliked by Ma Mu Du Gong Shi (Horse Eye Poisonous Public Excrement), Huzhang (Aconitum carmichaelii root side product), Xixin (Asarum). [Processing] Calcined by fire, ground into fine powder, and purified by water levigation. [Therapeutics] (Treatment) (*Tujing* states) Treats cold accumulations. (*Yaoxing Lun* states) Eliminates accumulated Qi in the chest and diaphragm, expels cold-damp wind-bi and itching, which are often chronic conditions lasting years. (*Yanyi* states) Dissolves long-standing accumulations and cold in the chest and abdomen caused by chronic illness. [Combined Formulas] After processing Shi, combine with Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), Guixin (Cinnamon Twig), Zaojiao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit), Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) each at 3 liang, and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) at 2 liang. Make honey pills the size of tung tree seeds. Take 5 pills per dose to treat various diseases caused by cold. [Contraindications] Long-term use causes tendon contraction; unprocessed ingestion is fatal to humans and all beasts. [Dietary Taboos] Avoid mutton blood.

Daqing Fu Pi Huang Grows in soil.

Pishuang (Arsenic Trioxide) treats various types of malaria and wind-phlegm in the chest and diaphragm; it can be used as an emetic. (Recorded by famous physicians). [Origin] (*Tujing* states) Old editions do not specify the commanderies or counties of origin. Currently, it is found near Tongshan, but the best comes from Xinzhou. The lumps are very large, some as big as goose eggs, colored like goose yolk yellow, bright and clear without impurities. This type is extremely rare; every da (unit of weight) of large pieces is highly prized, with market prices exceeding that of gold. Ancient elixir formulas required this specific type for medicinal use. Pieces sold in markets that are thin flakes like fine dust often contain mixed earth and stones; ingesting them causes significant harm. (*Yanyi* states) Currently, Xinzhou mines it from underground pits. The pit entrances are strictly sealed by officials. There is turbid water in the pit; the water is first wrung out/drawn off, then digging proceeds to extract raw arsenic, called Pi Huang. Its color resembles beef, or has pale white veins. It is neither stone nor soil. Although it has therapeutic merit, it must not be taken casually. The method for extracting arsenic: Place raw arsenic over fire, cover with a vessel, allowing arsenic fumes to rise and condense on the inverted vessel, forming droplets hanging down like milk. Those with pointed tips are superior; flat and short ones are inferior. *Tujing* states large blocks are lower grade, while flakes like fine dust are the lowest grade. For medicinal use, select those resembling pointed milk droplets. (*Bielu* states) When initially sublimated into frost, people must stay more than ten zhang upwind; vegetation downwind dies instantly. Also, it is commonly seen used mixed with rice to poison rats; if cats or dogs eat these poisoned rats, they also die. Its toxicity is far more fierce than She Wang (Veratrum alkaloid poison). [Growth/Harvest Time] (Growth) No fixed time. (Harvest) No fixed time. [Medicinal Part] Those resembling pointed milk droplets are superior. [Color] Yellow-white. [Flavor] Bitter, Sour. [Nature] Draining/Purgative. [Qi and Flavor] Flavor is denser than Qi; belongs to Yin within Yang. [Odor] Odorous. [Main Actions] Treats various malaria. [Incompatibilities] Feared by Moutou Dou (Mung Bean), cold water, vinegar. [Processing] (*Leigong* states) For use, place in a small porcelain bottle, add Zi Bei Tian Kui (Ophiopogon japonicus var. bulbifer? Note: Context implies specific herb) and Shilongru (Sphenomeris chinensis), three items together over fire. Calcine from Si hour to Shen hour, then soak in Licorice water from Shen hour to Zi hour. Remove, dry, put back in bottle, and calcine again. Grind separately thirty thousand times before use. [Therapeutics] (Treatment) (*Rihua Zi* states) Pishuang eliminates Blood-Qi rushing heart pain in women and induces abortion. ○ Pi Huang expels malaria, Kidney Qi disorders, and repels fleas and lice. (*Bielu* states) Pishuang treats sudden wind-stroke with coma, resembling drunkenness with phlegm-saliva obstruction. ○ For limbs unable to move, use an amount the size of a mung bean, grind finely, mix with fresh well water, take a small amount, then induce vomiting with hot water; recovery follows. [Combined Formulas] Two liang of powder mixed with Glue Clear applied topically treats snake bites or thorns from plants penetrating the body causing swelling, pain, and rotting flesh. If hands or feet are penetrated, joints may fall off. ○ One qian of Pi Huang mixed with half a qian of Shexiang (Musk), ground finely. First, coat a paper strip with raw oil, sprinkle the medicine on it, cut into small paper pieces the size of chess pieces. Insert into the rotten area according to size to treat pediatric dental caries with continuous bleeding and foul-smelling rotting gums. ○ Fine powder of Xinzhou Pi Huang mixed with thick ink juice, made into pills the size of tung tree seeds. Stir-fry in a pot until dry, store in bamboo tubes. When needed, moxa or needle the affected area, crush half a pill, apply locally. Allow natural erosion/corrosion to occur. When the effect diminishes, apply a little more. Treats scrofula. [Contraindications] Do not take lightly; it harms humans. Pregnant women must not take it. [Antidote] For accidental poisoning, grind mung beans in cold water and drink. Administration of Naphtha (Shinao You) also alleviates it.