气味苦寒，无毒。主治百病，除寒热邪气，逐六腑积聚结固留癖，能化七十二种石。
炼饵服之，轻身神仙。
（朴硝始出益州山谷有咸水之阳，今西蜀青齐河东河北皆有。生于斥卤之地土，人刮扫
煎汁，经宿结成，再煎提净，则结成白硝，如冰如蜡。齐卫之消，底多而面上生细芒如锋，
所谓芒硝是也。川晋之硝，底少而面上生牙，如圭角作六棱，纵横玲珑，洞彻可爱，所谓马
牙硝是也。）
（愚按∶雪花六出，玄精石六棱，六数为阴，乃水之成数也。朴硝、硝石皆感地水之气
结成
，而禀寒水之气化，是以形类相同，但硝石遇火能焰，兼得水水中之天气。朴硝只禀地水之
精
。不得天气，故遇火不焰也。所以不同者如此。有谓∶冬时采取则为硝石，三时采取则为朴
硝。有谓∶扫取白霜则为硝石，扫取泥汁则为朴硝。有谓∶出处虽同，近山谷者则为硝石，
近海滨者则为朴硝。诸说不同，今并存之，以俟订正。）
朴硝禀太阳寒水之气化，夫太阳之气，本于水府，外行通体之皮毛，从胸膈而入于中土。
主
治百病寒热邪气者，外行于通体之皮毛也。外感百病虽多，不越寒热之邪气，治寒热邪气，
则外感之百病皆治矣。逐六腑积聚结固留癖者，从胸膈而入手中土也，太阳之气，入于中土
，则天气下交于地，凡六腑积聚结固留癖可逐矣。能化七十二种石者，朴硝味咸，咸能软坚
也。天一生水，炼饵服之，得先天之精气，故轻身神仙。
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, cold, non-toxic. It treats various diseases, eliminates pathogenic factors of cold and heat, drives out accumulations, masses, solidifications, and lingering growths in the six fu organs, and can dissolve seventy-two kinds of minerals.
After refining and taking it orally, one may become light-bodied and attain immortality.
(Puxiao [Mirabilite] originally originated from valleys in Yizhou where there was brackish water on sunny slopes. Currently, it is produced in Western Shu, Qingzhou, Qi, Hedong, Hebei, and other regions. It grows in saline-alkali lands; people scrape the soil, boil it to extract the juice, and let it stand overnight to crystallize. Re-boiling and purifying it yields white Xiao (saltpeter), resembling ice or wax. The Xiao produced in Qi and Wei regions has a substantial base with fine spikes on the surface like blades; this is what is called Mangxiao [Mangxiaio / Glauber's Salt]. The Xiao produced in Sichuan and Shanxi regions has a small base but develops tooth-like crystals on the surface, resembling the corners of a jade gui (ceremonial tablet) in hexagonal shapes, intricate and transparent, lovely to behold; this is what is called Mayaxiao [Mayaxiao / Horse-tooth Saltpeter].)
(In my commentary: Snowflakes have six branches, Xuanjingshi (Xuanjing Stone) has six edges. Six is a number of Yin, representing the completed number of Water. Both Puxiao and Xiaoshi (Niter) are formed by sensing the qi of earth and water, inheriting the transformation of cold-water qi; thus, their forms are similar. However, Xiaoshi can burn when exposed to fire, as it incorporates the heavenly qi within water. Puxiao only inherits the essence of earthly water and does not receive heavenly qi; therefore, it does not burn when exposed to fire. This is why they differ. Some say: that which is harvested in winter is Xiaoshi, while that harvested in spring, summer, and autumn is Puxiao. Others say: that which is swept up as white frost is Xiaoshi, while that swept up as muddy juice is Puxiao. Still others say: although the source is the same, that near mountain valleys is Xiaoshi, while that near seashores is Puxiao. These theories differ; I preserve them all here for future correction.)
Puxiao inherits the qi transformation of Taiyang Cold-Water. The qi of Taiyang originates from the water reservoir (Kidney), circulates outward to cover the entire body's skin and hair, and enters the middle jiao (Spleen/Stomach) from the chest and diaphragm. Its ability to treat the pathogenic factors of cold and heat in various diseases lies in its action circulating outward through the body's skin and hair. Although external contraction causes many diseases, they do not exceed the pathogenic factors of cold and heat. Treating these cold and heat pathogens cures all externally contracted diseases. Its ability to drive out accumulations, masses, solidifications, and lingering growths in the six fu organs lies in its entry into the middle jiao from the chest and diaphragm. When Taiyang qi enters the middle earth, heavenly qi descends to interact with earthly qi, thereby allowing the accumulation, mass, solidification, and lingering growths in the six fu organs to be driven out. Its ability to dissolve seventy-two kinds of minerals is due to its salty flavor; saltiness can soften hardness. "Heaven generates One with Water"; after refining and ingesting it, one obtains the primordial essence and qi, thus becoming light-bodied and attaining immortality.