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Toxic.

Yinzhu (Cinnabar, prepared) is indicated for breaking up stagnation and accumulation, expelling phlegm, dissipating chest bind (Jie Xiong), treating tinea and malignant sores, killing parasites and lice. Its efficacy is similar to that of Fenshuang (Lead Oxide Powder) (from *Bencao Gangmu*). [Names] Xinghong (Scarlet Red), Zifen (Purple Powder), Shuang (Frost). (Li Shizhen stated) The ancients referred to mercury that melts from Cinnabar and returns to being red cinnabar as this substance; its name derives from this process. [Taste] Acrid. [Nature] Warm. [Processing] (According to Hu Yan's *Dan Yao Mi Jue*) To refine Yinzhu, use two jin of Shitingzhi (Styphnolobium japonicum gum resin), melt it in a new pot, then add one jin of Mercury, stir-fry until it forms "Qingshatou" (Green Sand Head), continue frying until no star-like spots are visible, grind into powder, store in a jar, cover with a stone slab, bind tightly with iron wire, seal firmly with salt mud, and calcine over high fire. After cooling, remove the residue: the part adhering to the jar wall is Yinzhu, while the part at the mouth of the jar is Dansha (Realgar/Cinnabar mixture). Nowadays, people often use one jin of Mercury to produce fourteen liang eight fen of high-quality Shuihuazhu (Water Flower Cinnabar) and three liang five qian of secondary Zhu.

[Indications] (*Li Lou Guai Zheng Fang*) Treats Huoyan Dandu (Flame Erysipelas): Mix Yinzhu with egg white and apply. (*Duo Neng Bi Shi Fang*) Treats scalds and burns: Grind Yinzhu finely, mix with rapeseed oil, and apply twice for cure. (*Pu Ji Fang*) Treats Yuqi Ding Chuang (Fish-umbilical Carbuncle), characterized by redness around the perimeter and blackness in the center: Mix Yinzhu with water to form pills, take one pill per dose with warm wine; named Zouma Dan (Running Horse Pill).

[Combined Therapies] (*Xin Jian Fang*) Treats pediatric Neidiao (Internal Hooking) with excessive crying: Take 5 fen of Yinzhu, 1 qian of roasted Ruxiang (Frankincense), and 1 qian of garlic. Grind into powder, form pills the size of millet seeds. For infants half a year old, administer 5 pills with mint decoction. (*Tang Yao Jing Yan Fang*) Treats Yin Du (Yin Toxin) in men and women: Take 1 qian of Yinzhu and 1 qian of Qingfen (Calomel). Mash one bulb of garlic aged five days, mix with the powders to form a cake. Apply to the palm (left hand for males, right for females), hold hands together, and place below the genitals. When qi returns and sweat appears, the condition resolves; survival is possible if there is slight breath in the mouth. (Zeng Shirong's *Huo You Quan Shu* states) Regarding Tanqi Jie Xiong (Phlegm-Qi Chest Bind) using Hedding Dan: Regardless of yin/yang or deficiency/excess, after calcination, it is used in formulas like Xie Xin Tang. Use 0.5 liang of Yinzhu and 1 liang of Mingfan (Alum), grind together. Melt the medicine in a tile cup over a heated ironing board, scrape off quickly, and roll into pills. Take 1 qian per dose with real tea and a little ginger juice. If a faint sound is heard in the heart region, the chest bind dissipates without damaging the viscera or depleting true qi. This is because Mingfan transforms phlegm and Yinzhu breaks up accumulation. (*Pu Ji Fang*) Treats Edema with normal bowel movements: Take 0.5 liang of Yinzhu and 4 liang of Liuhuang (Sulfur), grind into powder, make pills with wheat paste the size of wutong seeds. Take 30 pills with drink. Another formula for Yangmei Duchuang (Syphilis Chancre): Mix equal parts of Yinzhu and Guanxiang (Agarwood) into powder, roll into paper incense sticks, burn in a bucket, inhale the smoke once daily for seven days. Another method: 2 qian of Yinzhu, 1 qian of Haiertcha (Camellia seed tea), 1 qian of Longguaxiang (Dragon's Gourd Fragrance), 1 qian of Zaojiaozi (Gleditsia sinensis fruit seed), grind into powder, use as above. Another method: 1 qian each of Yinzhu and Qingfen, 1 liang each of Huangla (Yellow Beeswax) and Qingyou (Clarified Oil). Melt and mix, store. Spread on oiled paper and apply to crusts; crusts will fall off naturally. (*Ji Jiu Fang*) Treats sore throat: Blow equal parts of Yinzhu and Haipiaoxiao (Cuttlebone) powder into the throat to induce salivation/phlegm discharge. Another method for Jiangju Fabei (Carbuncle and Back Abscess): Boil equal parts of Yinzhu and Baifan (White Alum) for washing, then fumigate from a distance with mulberry wood fire, three times daily; highly effective. (*Zuan Yao Qi Fang*) Treats bone and tendon pain: 3 qian of Xinghong, 4 qian of Kufan (Burnt Alum), grind into powder, make three paper incense sticks. Each morning, light one stick dipped in oil to fumigate the navel, cover the body, and lie down to induce sweating. (*Ying Ji Liang Fang*) Treats chronic stubborn sores that do not heal: 1 qian of Yinzhu, 5 fen of Qiannian Dixia Duanshi (Ancient Underground Calcined Stone), 5 qian of Songxiang (Pine Rosin), 1 liang of Xiangyou (Sesame Oil). Grind, melt, spread on paper, and apply. (*Jian Bian Fang*) Treats Xuefeng Chuang (Blood Wind Sore) on the thighs, caused by damp-toxin turning into wind: Melt 1 liang of Huangla, add 1 liang of Yinzhu, stir and spread on paper, prick holes, and apply. (*Ji Yuan Fang*) Treats Huangshui Shichuang (Yellow Water Damp Sore): Mash Yinzhu and Yanmei (Salted Plum) together and apply. (*Yi Fang Miao Yao* states) For tinea with parasites: Mix Yinzhu, Niu Gu Suo (Ox Marrow), and Tongyou (Walnut Oil) and apply. (*Ji De Tang Fang*) Treats head lice: Soak Yinzhu in vinegar and comb hair daily. Another method: Burn Yinzhu-wrapped paper under a bowl, collect the soot/paper residue, rub onto the head with tea rinse; lice die overnight. Another method: Equal parts of Yinzhu, Kufan, Cangzhu (Atractylodes lancea), and Kushen (Sophora flavescens) ground into powder, sprinkle into hair and comb/wash several times.

[Contraindications] Yinzhu is refined from Sulfur and Mercury; its nature is dry and fierce, capable of causing gingival rot and tendon contraction. Its merits and faults are similar to those of Qingfen. Nowadays, cooks often use it for coloring food; it should be strictly prohibited. [Adulterants] Genuine Yinzhu is called Shuihuazhu. Nowadays, people often adulterate it with Huangdan (Minium) and Fanhong (Alum Red); the color becomes dull yellow. Discrimination is necessary.