Library

Luofan (Green Vitriol), its content is recorded under the entry for Fanshi (Alum Stone).

Liuxu Fan (Willow Catkin Alum), its content is also recorded under the entry for Fanshi (Alum Stone).

Huashi (Talcum), grows in the valleys of Zheyang and on the north slopes of Mount Tai, or in Baishan to the north of Ye County, or in Juanshan. Currently, it is produced in Daozhou, Yongzhou, Laizhou, and Haozhou. There are two types: those from Daozhou and Yongzhou are white and smooth like congealed fat. *Nanyue Zhi* (Records of Southern Yue) states: "Cheng County produces a type of stone; this stone is Huashi (Talcum). Locals use it as a tool for firing vessels, used for cooking fish." Those from Laizhou and Haozhou have coarse texture and green quality, with black and white spots, also called Banshi (Spotted Stone). Both types can be used to make vessels and are very exquisite. Initially soft and rotten like mud when first extracted, they gradually become hard over time. People there manufacture them while still soft in the mines, requiring little effort; otherwise, if hard, it would consume much labor. The land sources recorded in *Benjing* (*Shennong Bencao Jing*, Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) are all in the north, whereas those currently used by physicians are mostly white and come from the south. Furthermore, according to Lei Xiao's *Paozhi Fang* (Prescriptions for Processing Drugs), Huashi (Talcum) has five colors; one should use the white kind resembling Fangjieshi (Calcite). The green kind is cold in nature and toxic, and is not used in medicine. It further states: "Any Huashi (Talcum) that is white like ice or bluish-white, with fine white patterns when drawn on stone, is genuine." According to this description, it resembles those coming from the south now, so there is no doubt in using it. However, although Lei Xiao is named as a Sui dynasty person, his book mentions drug names from after the Tang dynasty, suggesting perhaps later additions or modifications. Some say Yizhou produces a type of white Huashi (Talcum) which is excellent, matching the description of the north slopes of Mount Tai in *Benjing*. However, locals do not harvest it as medicine, so physicians rarely know to use it. The Qinghuashi (Green Talcum) supplied by physicians in Haozhou today claims to be slightly cold in nature and non-toxic, mainly treating stagnation of Heart Qi. This is largely similar to *Benjing*. Additionally, *Wu Lu Di Li Zhi* (Geographical Records of Wu) and *Da Kang Di Ji* (Records of Da Kang) state: "Bushan County in Yulin Prefecture has many venomous snakes whose poison kills humans; there is a Cold Stone that can detoxify them. The stone is reddish-black in color and bitter in taste. Ground into powder and applied to wounds, along with biting teeth tightly, leads to immediate recovery. It is also called Qieshi Shi (Tooth-Biting Stone)." Nowadays, people often use Cold Stone ground into powder to treat miliaria (heat rash) or sores. Some say it is Huashi (Talcum), differing only in sweet versus bitter taste. Careful examination of ancient formulas shows that Huashi (Talcum) is often used alone to promote urination and treat strangury with difficulty. When mixed with Shiwei (Andromeda Leaf) and pounded into powder, taken orally with water in the amount of a Dao Gui (ancient measurement), the effect is faster. Furthermore, it treats restlessness and oppression caused by Shilin (Stone Strangury). Take twelve parts of Huashi (Talcum), grind into powder, divide into two doses, mix with water and stir until dispersed, and take at once. Once the feverish heat subsides, stop subsequent doses; if symptoms persist, finishing the dose will surely lead to recovery.