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Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis), with a bitter taste and neutral qi, possesses slight toxicity. It enters the Liver Meridian. It specializes in treating tendon diseases, curing various types of epilepsy in children, convulsive disorders caused by fright or evil influences, and trismus (lockjaw).

It treats mania and delirium in adults, stroke with phlegm obstruction causing aphasia, expels evil spirits, stabilizes the soul and魄 (Hun and Po), and improves hearing and vision. Pregnant women should avoid taking it, as it can cause abortion and damage Yuan Qi (Original Qi). Because its nature is extremely cold, it should only be taken in small amounts and not in large doses. It is suitable to be used together with Renshen (Ginseng) to treat various pediatric diseases. One must beware of using Niu Huang alone, as this may lead to errors in treatment.

One might ask: Stroke patients should not take Niu Huang, for fear that it will draw wind pathogens into the Zang organs, akin to the metaphor of "white flour mixed into oil." Is it truly safe to take? The answer is: Niu Huang treats stroke, specifically referring to "True Stroke" (Zhen Zhong Feng). True stroke cases are extremely rare in the world; this is precisely why Niu Huang should not be taken casually. In cases of True Stroke, the patient's Yuan Qi is not deficient, there is no history of phlegm disease, the person is usually healthy and young. The onset of stroke is sudden, caused not by deficiency of Qi and Blood leading to wind invasion and phlegm generation. Symptoms must include red eyes and thirst, expectoration of phlegm in clumps or like broken cotton wadding, which is yellow in color and definitely not clear water. The patient desires to vomit but cannot, keeps their hands clenched in fists, and is restless and agitated. This constitutes True Stroke. Since such cases are exceedingly rare (one or two in ten thousand), Niu Huang can be used to treat them. All other cases should be treated as deficiency syndromes; one must strictly forbid the reckless use of Niu Huang. If the condition is originally Cold-Deficiency, adding cold herbs will result in mild hemiplegia or severe Phlegm-Jue (syncope due to phlegm), leading to death within moments. Therefore, Niu Huang cannot treat False Stroke; it is not that True Stroke cannot be treated with it. (Commentary: I have never seen a case of True Stroke; most strokes in the world are deficiency syndromes. How can Niu Huang be taken?)

One might suspect that although Niu Huang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill) has many effects, especially for pediatrics, you insist on using Renshen with Niu Huang to prevent adverse changes? The answer is: Alas! Niu Huang Wan is a pill that kills children, not a medicine that saves them. Since Qian Yi created Niu Huang Wan to treat pediatric conditions such as fright, malnutrition, vomiting, and diarrhea, countless children have died. I wished to save them but could not. Now, fortunately, I have received instruction from the Heavenly Master of Qi (referring to profound medical wisdom). Whenever one pill of Niu Huang is used, five fen of Renshen should be decocted in water and taken together. A killing pill can thus be transformed into a life-saving medicine. I then realized that when Qian Yi formulated this prescription, he originally instructed people to take it with Renshen. Later generations omitted the Renshen, which is why so many deaths occurred. My fellow practitioners, please pay attention to the use of Renshen to rectify the faults of Niu Huang. By doing so, you will accumulate merit and receive blessings, ensuring prosperity for your descendants.

One might ask: Can Niu Huang be used to treat Shui Gu (Ascites/Water Distension)? The answer is: Niu Huang is a substance that resolves phlegm and opens orifices, not a product that dispels dampness and promotes urination. It seems unrelated to the treatment of Ascites. However, there are cases where it has succeeded. This is because when water enters the Palace of the Pericardium, only Niu Huang can resolve it, as Niu Huang specifically enters the Pericardium. Although the Pericardium accommodates water, over time it inevitably transforms into phlegm. Niu Huang resolves phlegm but does not resolve water; thus, Niu Huang is not a diuretic but a phlegm-resolving agent. When effective in treating Ascites, it is resolving the phlegm in the Pericardium. Once the phlegm in the Pericardium dissipates, water outside the Pericardium naturally dares not enter inside. Then, using herbs that tonify the Kidney and promote urination to treat the root cause, the symptoms of Ascites can be eliminated. Therefore, saying that Niu Huang can treat Ascites is also acceptable.

Niu Rou (Beef), with a sweet taste and warm nature, benefits and nourishes the Spleen and Stomach. It is one of the most beneficial foods. The Post-Heaven foundation relies primarily on the Spleen and Stomach, and Beef excels at strengthening them; how could it be without benefit? However, one must not eat beef from diseased cattle. Among cattle, Yellow Cattle are superior.

Niu Nai (Cow's Milk), with a sweet taste but slightly cold nature, when drunk with Ginger Juice, best moistens the Lungs and nourishes the Kidneys. It effectively treats Fan Wei Ge Jie (Regurgitation and Esophageal Obstruction). However, it should not be eaten with rice, lest it cause Zheng Jia (abdominal masses).

One might ask: Using beef broth for Dao Cang Fa (Stomach Purging Method via Vomiting), can this serve as a guideline? The answer is: This method was pioneered by Dan Xi (Zhu Danxi). To prevent vomiting from damaging Yuan Qi, beef broth is used to induce vomiting, aiming for a principle where "vomiting contains tonification." However, it should not be used lightly. It can only be used as an expedient measure if the pathology clearly requires emesis. After vomiting, Yuan Qi is severely damaged; how can the juice of beef replenish the stomach injured by vomiting?

Observe Zhu Danxi's own words: one must recuperate for one month, abstain from sexual activity for half a year, and avoid beef for five years. His damage to the Spleen and Stomach was already severe. Once injured, gastric and abdominal pain will inevitably occur, recurring whenever beef is consumed throughout life. Can one not be cautious in its use?