〔害〕下部无风寒湿邪而有火，及肝肾虚而有火者，勿服。恶元参、蛇皮。
〔利〕辛，顺气而化痰；苦，坚肾而益精；温，祛风而胜湿。疗筋骨之拘挛，逐皮肤之
瘀血
，治阴痿囊湿，女子阴痒，明目缩便，愈疮疗疝，酿尤良，远志为使。
〔修治〕十月采根，剥皮阴干，煮根茎酿酒饮益人。
一名乌贼骨
〔害〕气味咸温，血病多热者勿服，恶附子、白芨、白蔹。
〔利〕咸走血，温和血，入肝肾血分，通血脉，去寒湿，治血枯，止肠风崩漏，涩久虚
泻
痢，腹痛环脐，阴蚀肿痛。肉，酸平，益气强志，通月经。
〔修治〕出东海，亦名墨鱼。取骨鱼卤浸，炙黄或漂淡用。
〔害〕杂树上者，气性不同，恐反有害。
寇宗 云∶向有求此于吴中诸邑，采不得，以他木寄生服之，逾月而毙，可不慎哉。
〔利〕苦，坚肾，助筋骨，而固齿长发；甘，益血，止崩漏，而下乳安胎，舒筋络而利
关节
，和血脉而除痹痛。
〔修治〕三月采根枝茎叶，铜刀细切，阴干用，勿见火。
〔害〕石药终燥，只可暂用。妇人绝孕，由阴虚火旺，不能摄受精气者，忌用。
〔利〕甘辛温、润以去燥回枯，重以镇宁心神，养肝血不足，血海虚，不孕者宜之，暖
子宫
之要药。白石英甘辛微温，润以去燥，利小便、实大肠、治肺痿、吐脓、咳逆、上气。十剂
曰∶润可去燥枯，二英之属是也。润药颇多，而徐之才取二紫白石英为润剂，存其意可也
。石英五色，各入五脏。俱畏附子、恶黄连。
〔修治〕紫石英色淡，莹彻五棱，火 醋淬七次，研末水飞，白石英如水晶者良。
[Harm] Do not take if there is no wind-cold-dampness pathogen in the lower part of the body but rather fire, or if there is deficiency of the Liver and Kidney accompanied by fire. It is incompatible with Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae) and Shepi (Snake Skin).
[Benefits] Pungent in flavor, it promotes the flow of Qi and resolves phlegm; bitter in flavor, it strengthens the Kidney and benefits essence; warm in nature, it dispels wind and overcomes dampness. It treats spasm and contracture of tendons and bones, expels blood stasis from the skin, treats impotence and dampness of the scrotum, pruritus vulvae in women, improves vision and reduces urination frequency, heals sores and treats hernia. Brewing wine with it yields excellent results, using Yuanzhi (Radix Polygalae) as a guiding herb.
[Processing] Harvest the roots in October, peel off the bark, and dry them in the shade. Boiling the roots and stems to make wine is beneficial to the human body.
[Harm] Salty and warm in nature, do not take if suffering from blood diseases with excessive heat. It is incompatible with Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata), Baiji (Rhizoma Bletillae) and Bailian (Radix Ampelopsis Japonicae).
[Benefits] Salty flavors enter the blood level, warmth harmonizes the blood, it enters the blood aspect of the Liver and Kidney, unblocks the vessels, removes cold-dampness, treats blood exhaustion, stops intestinal wind and metrorrhagia/metrostaxis, astringes chronic deficiency diarrhea and dysentery, treats abdominal pain around the navel, and erosion with swelling and pain of the genitals. The meat is sour and neutral, benefits Qi, strengthens willpower, regulates menstruation.
[Processing] Produced in the East Sea, also known as cuttlebone. Take the bone, soak it in brine, roast until yellow, or rinse until desalinated for use.
[Harm] Those growing on miscellaneous trees have different qi and properties, which may cause harm.
Kou Zongshi said: Previously, when seeking this herb in various counties of Wuzhong, I could not find it and used parasitic plants from other trees as a substitute. After more than a month, I died. Can one not be cautious?
[Benefits] Bitter in flavor, it strengthens the Kidney, assists tendons and bones, consolidates teeth and promotes hair growth; sweet in flavor, it benefits blood, stops metrorrhagia/metrostaxis, promotes lactation and calms the fetus, relaxes sinews and benefits joints, harmonizes blood vessels and eliminates bi-syndrome pain.
[Processing] Harvest roots, branches, stems, and leaves in March, slice finely with a copper knife, and dry in the shade for use. Avoid exposure to fire.
[Harm] Mineral drugs are ultimately drying and should only be used temporarily. Women who are sterile due to yin deficiency with hyperactive fire, unable to conceive, should avoid using it.
[Benefits] Sweet, pungent, and warm, its moistening property removes dryness and restores withered states; its heaviness calms and settles the Shen (Spirit), nourishes insufficient Liver Blood, addresses emptiness of the Blood Sea, and is suitable for those with infertility. It is a key herb for warming the Uterus. Baishiying (Alumen Album) is sweet, pungent, and slightly warm; its moistening property removes dryness, promotes urination, consolidates the Large Intestine, and treats fei wei (lung atrophy/withering), expectoration of pus, cough with reverse flow of Qi, and upward rushing of Qi. The Ten Categories states: "Moistening agents can remove dryness and withering," referring to substances like the two Shiyings (Quartz). There are many moistening herbs, but Xu Zhicai selected Zishiying (Alumen Rubrum) and Baishiying (Alumen Album) as moistening agents; preserving this intent is acceptable. Quartz comes in five colors, each entering the Five Zang Organs. All are feared by Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) and abhorred by Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis).
[Processing] Zishiying (Alumen Rubrum) is pale red, crystal clear, and pentagonal. Roast it in fire, quench in vinegar seven times, grind into powder, and process by water levigation. Baishiying (Alumen Album) resembling rock crystal is of good quality.