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Sweet in taste, cool in nature. Enters the Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Yangming meridians of both the hand and foot. Its function is specifically to unblock orifices and circulate damp-heat. It treats various types of strangury (dysuria with frequency, urgency, and pain), menstrual dripping and turbidity, red and white leukorrhea, intestinal wind and hemorrhoids, and eye opacities. It can be boiled for decoction, ground for juice, or processed into powder using the water-flotation method.

Salty in taste, cold in nature. Enters the Foot Jueyin meridian. Its function is specifically to treat blindness (Qingmang) and eye opacities. When combined with Antelope Horn (Lingyangjiao) and Cassia Seed (Juemingzi), it treats pterygium (Rou Pan Jing). For pharyngolaryngeal obstruction (Houbi) with swelling and pain, grind Stone Crab (Shixie) for juice to drink, and apply externally to the throat. Grind with vinegar and apply topically to treat carbuncles and swellings.

Salty, sweet, and acrid in taste, cold in nature. Enters the Shaoyin, Taiyin, and Yangming meridians of both the hand and foot. Its function is specifically to moisten downward, soften hardness. For the syndrome of incessant laughter, stir-fry salt until red, boil, and drink; the symptom stops immediately. For the sensation of insects crawling on the body and unbearable itching, a decoction bath is effective. Washing the eyes expels wind. It is strictly contraindicated for phlegm-cough, asthma, blood diseases, Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst), and water distension.

Salty in taste, cold in nature. Enters the Shaoyin, Taiyin, and Yangming meridians of both the hand and foot. Its function is specifically to assist the Kidney Zang, benefit essence and qi. When combined with Eucommia Bark (Duzhong) and Psoralea Fruit (Buguzhi), it tonifies Liver Yang. When combined with Sichuan Pepper (Chuanjiao), it brightens the eyes. Also known as Green Salt (Qingyan).

Acrid and salty in taste, extremely cold in nature. Enters the Shaoyin, Taiyin, and Yangming meridians of both the hand and foot. Its function is specifically to treat epidemic heat excess, thirst, and edema. It also refers generally to Cold Water Stone (Han Shui Shi). The Han Shui Shi used in ancient prescriptions is Ning Shui Shi. In Song and Tang dynasty prescriptions, Han Shui Shi refers to Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao).

Salty in taste, cold and descending. Enters the Taiyin and Yangming meridians of both the hand and foot. Its function is specifically to treat upper excess and lower deficiency, rescue Yin and assist Yang, possessing the merit of supporting the critical and rescuing from reversal. Zhengyang Dan treats high fever due to Cold Damage (Shanghan). Laifu Dan treats hot diarrhea due to latent summerheat.

Bitter and salty in taste, descending in nature. Enters the Taiyin and Yangming meridians of both the hand and foot. Its function is specifically to purge accumulations and masses in the Fu organs. When combined with Rhubarb (Dahuang), it directly enters the Large Intestine, purges filth, unblocks meridians, and induces abortion. Mirabilite (Mangxiao) after refining has a slightly milder action. It can soften metals and dissolve seventy-two kinds of stones into water. Produced in saline lands, scraped and refined; the sediment at the bottom is called Thenardite (Puxiao), while the upper part is Mangxiao. Those with teeth are called Horse Tooth Mangxiao. Placed in wind and sun to eliminate moisture, becoming light and white like powder, it is called Weathered Mirabilite (Fenghua Xiao). Rhubarb serves as the guiding herb.

Bitter and acrid in taste, ascending in nature. Enters the Hand Taiyin meridian. Its function is specifically to break accumulations and dissipate hardness. When combined with Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan) and Bingpeng San blown into the throat, it treats pharyngolaryngeal obstruction (Houbi).