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Toxic. Grows in stones.

Silver Shavings (Yin Xie): Mainly treats calming the five Zang organs, stabilizing the mind and spirit, stopping palpitations and fright, and eliminating pathogenic factors. Long-term use can lighten the body and prolong life. (Recorded by Famous Physicians) [Origin] (According to *Bencao Yan Yi*): The place of production.

Already detailed under the entry for "Shavings" in the "Raw Silver Strip" section; its meaning is the same as that of Gold Shavings. However, while the *Classic of Materia Medica* states that Silver Shavings are toxic, Raw Silver is stated to be non-toxic. Commentators omitted this explanation. It is likely because Raw Silver has already manifested externally and lacks pent-up Qi, thus being non-toxic; whereas mineral silver remains stored within the stone, with its pent-up Qi not yet released, thus being toxic. [Collection Time]: Anytime. [Processing]: Those refined through smelting are superior. [Texture]: Resembles sand, bright white. [Color]: White. [Flavor]: Acrid. [Nature]: Neutral. [Qi Thickness]: Thin Qi, Yin within Yang. [Odor]: Rotten. [Main Actions]: Stabilizes the will, eliminates epilepsy and fright. [Incompatibility]: Averse to Tin. [Preparation]: Ground and filed into shavings for use. [Therapy]: (According to *Yao Xing Lun*): Mainly treats pediatric epilepsy with manic running. (According to *Mingyi Bielu*): For sudden lower back pain resembling a fracture during pregnancy, decoct with water and take; it breaks cold and expels wind.

Toxic, attached to Cinnabar Silver. Grows in stones.

Raw Silver: Mainly treats heat-induced mania, palpitations, epilepsy onset, trance-like states, restlessness at night, delirious speech (Zhan), pathogenic factors, and demonic influences. Ingestion improves vision, calms and anchors the heart and mind, and stabilizes the will. For various childhood fevers and erysipelas, grind with water and administer; its efficacy surpasses that of Zi Xue Powder (Purple Snow Decoction). (Recorded by Famous Physicians) [Names]: (According to *Bao Zang Lun*): There are seventeen types of silver: Zhi Yao Silver, Shan Ze Silver, Cao Sha Silver, Mu Sha Silver, and Hei Qian Silver; these five are true silver suitable for medicinal use. Bai Xi Silver, Zeng Qing Silver, Tu Lu Silver, Dan Yang Silver, Sheng Tie Silver, Sheng Tong Silver, Liu Huang Silver, Pi Shuang Silver, Xiong Huang Silver, Ci Huang Silver, Yao Shi Silver, and Zhen Shui Yin Silver; these twelve are false silver and not used medicinally. [Origin]: (According to *Bencao Tujing*): Produced in raw silver mines in various pits of Leping, Raozhou. It resembles hard tin; those with rough, naturally interlaced textures are genuine. What is currently obtained from pits seeps through earth and stone into thread-like strands, resembling hair, locally called "Old Man's Beard." Such specimens are extremely rare; formularies specify that genuine Raw Silver must be of this type. (According to *Mingyi Bielu*): Silver is produced in Lushi County, Luoping. Breaking open brownish stones reveals white interior; it forms in lead mines, shaped like bamboo shoots. This involves transformational principles, also known as Natural Tooth, or Raw Lead, or Natural Lead. It can be used for Li Shu (a specific therapeutic method) but is inedible. Silver contained within lead is toxic in nature but can be used to form cinnabar-like grains. One type is Cinnabar Silver, which is cold and non-toxic; it is incompatible with Ting Li Shi (Lithospermum), Ci Shi (Magnetite), Iron, and various blood-invigorating substances. It has benefits of prolonging life, enhancing complexion, calming and anchoring the heart and mind, stopping palpitations, expelling evil, treating severe poisoning and gu poison, clearing heart heat, relieving irritability, alleviating sorrow and forgetfulness, and tonifying deficiency and weakness. Thus, it is appended here. (According to *Bencao Yan Yi*): This Raw Silver refers to that which does not emerge from ore but occurs spontaneously, hence also called "Old Man's Beard," named by analogy. [Collection Time]: Anytime. [Processing]: Those with rough, naturally interlaced textures are preferred. [Texture]: Resembles hard tin. [Color]: White. [Flavor]: Acrid. [Nature]: Cold. [Qi Thickness]: Thin Qi, Yin within Yang. [Odor]: Rotten. [Main Actions]: Calms and anchors the heart and mind. [Incompatibility]: Averse to Ting Li Shi (Lithospermum) and Ci Shi (Magnetite). [Preparation]: (According to Lei Gong): The Qi of gold, silver, copper, and iron, when used in medicines, should be placed whole within the herbal mixture to borrow their Qi to enhance the medicinal power. If metals are directly ingested with herbs, they consume human fat. [Therapy]: (According to *Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao*): Treats pediatric shock, evil influences, heat toxins, irritability, and stuffiness; grind with water and take. (According to *Mingyi Bielu*): For red spots on the body, frequently rub with silver until warm; gradually eliminate them over time. [Contraindications]: Its nature is perverse; ingestion damages the Liver.