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Cinnabar (Zhusha), sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature. When ingested raw, it is non-toxic; when calcined and ingested, it kills. It enters the Heart Meridian. It stabilizes and nourishes the Shen (Spirit), regulates blood vessels, expels evil spirits and demons, clears scabies and sores, relieves thirst and removes vexation, and calms the Hun (Ethereal Soul) and Po (Corporeal Soul).

Mercury (Shuiyin) is that which is extracted from Cinnabar through fire refining; it can only be used for external treatments. Calomel (Qingfen) is further transformed from Mercury; it is also required for external treatments. Among these three substances, Mercury is the most toxic, followed by Calomel, and then Cinnabar. This is because Mercury and Calomel are formed after being refined by fire a hundred times. Cinnabar, if not subjected to fire, possesses the most refined Qi of the South, which can be borrowed to calm the Spirit and stabilize the Soul; however, it should only be taken in small amounts to derive benefit.

Calomel’s function is specifically astringent. In the world, people use it to treat Yamei Fengdu (Syphilitic wind-toxin) seeking rapid effects. Who knows that before the toxin has been disseminated, one hastily uses Calomel to astringe the toxin? Focusing on the momentary relief, it turns into a lifelong incurable sore, leading to nasal collapse and body rotting death. Can one not be cautious?

Someone asked: The toxicity of Calomel often results in Yamei Chuang (Syphilitic chancre); do you know what medicine can save this? Recently, many people use Tufuling (Smilax Glabra Rhizome) to rescue it, yet its efficacy has not been observed.

I say: The toxicity of Calomel cannot be expelled unless Zhusha (Cinnabar) is taken. For Calomel is the "child" of Cinnabar; when the child sees the mother, it transforms. (Commentary: Child seeing mother leads to expulsion; this is the profound principle of this miraculous formula.) However, there is a method for taking Cinnabar: Use one jin (approx. 500g) of Cinnabar. Do not use fire refining at all. Seek bright specimens, grind them into powder, process via water levigation (Shuifei), then mix with two jin of Fuling (Poria) powder and three liang (approx. 90g) of raw Gancao (Licorice Root) powder. Mix thoroughly. Each day, take three qian (approx. 9g) mixed with boiling water. Within less than one month, the Calomel toxin will completely dissipate, and the hardened toxin will be fully cured.

Someone asked: Ancient Zhenren (Perfected Ones) often relied on Cinnabar to refine elixirs, guiding and accepting pure and harmonious Qi, combining it with Gold and Lead, following cosmic images, synthesizing the Golden Elixir to achieve transformation. The refining methods of Qingxiazi and Taizhen Zunjun are recorded in the *Dan Jing* (Book of Alchemy) and included in various Bencao (Materia Medica). Why does Mr. omit this?

I say: The methods of alchemy are difficult to explain; they are not material objects. Ancient Perfected Ones merely used the words Cinnabar and Black Lead as metaphors for the wonders of the Golden Elixir. Did they ever actually take Cinnabar to cook and refine it? What Cinnabar fears most is fire; encountering fire generates severe toxicity. Since the Tang Dynasty, from emperors above to officials below, those who took medicines cooked and refined from Cinnabar have invariably died with rotted intestines and split skin. How could they achieve longevity, transformation, flight, or ascension? This is why I omit it.

Someone asked: Miao Zhongchun, in his commentary on the *Bencao*, stated that long-term ingestion of Mercury leads to immortality, provided it is combined with Qinhua (Lead White), thereby capturing true Qi and condensing it into an Elixir. This aligns with the Daoist principle: "The Sun's flowing pearl always wishes to leave man; suddenly obtaining the Flower of Metal, they turn and combine." Do you agree with this? Or disagree?

I say: This is Miao Zhongchun misunderstanding the alchemical secrets and misidentifying them. The Great Way of the Golden Elixir, how could it be achieved relying on post-heaven material objects? Moreover, whether raw or refined, Mercury is toxic. It is incomparable to Cinnabar and especially unsuitable for ingestion. Throughout history, deaths from ingesting Mercury are numerous. If Mercury enters the ear, it rots the brain; how could entering the Zang-Fu organs be beneficial? This is self-evident without need for debate.

Someone asked: Can Cinnabar eliminate the toxins of fish, dragons, snakes, and turtles? Is this true?

I say: It is true. But if used raw, it cannot eliminate the toxin. For toxins from fish, dragons, snakes, and turtles penetrating inside and outside the human body, if Cinnabar is boiled cooked to make a decoction, or calcined into powder for ingestion, the toxic vapors will completely dissipate. Raw Cinnabar is non-toxic, while cooked Cinnabar becomes toxic. Using toxicity to attack toxicity, it achieves unique and miraculous results.