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(Shi) Clears phlegm-heat in the liver and diaphragm.

Mengshi (Lapis Auripigmenti / Realgar? *Note: In TCM context, Mengshi usually refers to Qingmengshi - Flaked Pyrite or similar mineral, specifically "Qingmengshi" is often translated as Flaked Pyrite or simply Mengshi. Given the description "stone-like", "heavy", "blue-green color", it aligns with Qingmengshi (Flaked Pyrite). However, strictly following WHO/standard herb names, Mengshi is often kept as Mengshi or translated descriptively. Let's use Mengshi (Flaked Pyrite)*). It possesses the fierce nature of stone, is heavy and sinking, descending in action. Its taste is pungent and salty, its color is green, and its qi is neutral. Its function specializes in entering the Liver to calm Wood, descends Qi, and is an essential herb for treating convulsions and promoting expectoration. (Yu Jiayan said: The term "Jingfeng" [Convulsive Disease] is a baseless fabrication by ancients. They did not realize that newborn infants and young children have muscles, bones, tendons, zang-fu organs, and blood vessels that are not yet fully developed. Their Yang is relatively excessive while their Yin is insufficient, making them prone to generating heat. When heat becomes severe, it generates Wind and Convulsions, which is quite common. Later generations failed to understand this, regarding it as a peculiar disease. Furthermore, they claimed there were eight signs: because the child shakes their head and moves their hands, they coined the name "Chouche" [Twitching/Clonic movements]; because the child suddenly has clenched jaws and cramped legs, they coined the name "Muxie Luanchuo Nuo" [Deviation of eyes and chaotic twitching/spasms]; because the child has a stiff spine and arched back, they coined the name "Jiaogong Fanzhang" [Opisthotonos]. This tradition persisted for a long time, unknown to be a false creation. Upon encountering such symptoms, people invariably regarded them as peculiar diseases, unaware that children's couli [pores/skin texture] are not dense, making them susceptible to Wind-Cold invasion. Illness causes tension in the sinews and vessels. Due to this tension, symptoms like twitching, spasms, and opisthotonos arise—various incomprehensible names and conditions. Yet, metallic and stony minerals are used to suppress external pathogens, driving them deep into the zang-fu organs. This results in death in nearly every case. Occasionally, those with strong constitutions and mild symptoms recover, and this is marvelously hailed as a miraculous feat of resurrection. Consequently, practitioners cling to their specialized views; although they kill several children daily, they remain unaware of their guilt.) Generally, when Wood-Wind is excessive, Spleen-Earth is constrained, Qi fails to transform and transport, leading to accumulated Qi generating Phlegm. This Phlegm obstructs the upper diaphragm, transforming into Wind-Heat. Treatment should employ this heavy, sinking, and purgative herb to calm the Wood-Wind Qi, thereby naturally eliminating the Phlegm accumulation. Nowadays, people use Mengshi in Wang Yinjun's Guntan Wan [Rolling Phlegm Pill] to treat all kinds of bizarre phlegm disorders, which is highly inappropriate. (Guntan Wan Formula: Mengshi and Yanxiao [Saltpeter/Niter] each 2 liang, ground and purified via water flotation to obtain 1 liang pure powder; Dahuang [Rhubarb Root and Rhizome] steamed with wine 8 liang; Huangqin [Scutellaria Root] washed with wine 8 liang; Chenxiang [Aquilaria Wood] 5 qian. Ground into fine powder and formed into pills with water.) One must not realize that Phlegm arises from excessive Heat, where Wood-Wind carries Heat causing Spleen dysfunction, resulting in Phlegm accumulation as sticky as glue or lacquer. Using this herb is indeed appropriate for such cases. However, if the Spleen and Stomach are weak, with poor appetite and loose stools, taking this purgative will cause incessant diarrhea. If taken by children, it often leads to chronic critical conditions, resulting in helplessness awaiting death. Can one not be cautious? Xiaoshi [Niter/Saltpeter] should be processed via water flotation and ground.