Library

Halite is an ore produced in salt-producing areas that has not been refined. Its color is mixed with red and yellow; it is toxic and should not be used. The first refinement yields Puxiao (Mirabilite). Further refinement may produce Mangxiao (Glauber's Salt) or Mayaxiao (Horse-tooth Glauber's Salt). For internal use, Mangxiao and Mayaxiao are preferred; using Puxiao is less suitable.

Indications: Eliminates accumulations in the gastrointestinal tract, breaks down hard masses and resolves stagnation, unblocks meridians, promotes urination and defecation, treats amenorrhea, five types of strangury (Wulin), dissipates bad blood, clears obstructive heat, and treats jaundice. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Bixue Formula: Puxiao (Mirabilite), Mangxiao (Glauber's Salt), Mayaxiao (Horse-tooth Glauber's Salt), Xiaoshi (Niter), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Hanshuishi (Aqua Calcitae), each one jin (approx. 500g), processed by water-flying method; Gancao (Licorice Root) one jin. Add one dou (approx. 10 liters) of water, decoct until five sheng (approx. 5 liters) remain. Add the aforementioned herbs and continue decocting, stirring constantly until properly melted. Add Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) one jin and mix evenly. Pour into a basin and leave overnight until it crystallizes like snow. Grind into powder. It can be held in the mouth to swallow, blown onto affected areas, or taken orally mixed with water, two to three qian (approx. 6-9g). To promote bowel movement, take one liang (approx. 30g) with hot water. Treats all forms of accumulated heat, epidemic febrile diseases, mania, confusion, swelling and obstruction of the throat, sores on the mouth and tongue, and blockage of urination and defecation. For abdominal masses, use Puxiao (Mirabilite) one liang (approx. 30g), one bulb of garlic, and Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) powder eight fen (approx. 2.4g). Pound into a cake and apply to the affected area until resolved.

For difficult labor and retained dead fetus: Take Mangxiao (Glauber's Salt) powder two qian (approx. 6g), warmed with urine from a healthy boy. This is remarkably effective. For poisoning from taking mineral pills (Rushi), presenting with chest irritability and heat accumulation: Take Mangxiao (Glauber's Salt) one qian (approx. 3g), mixed with honey water. Take three times daily.

For pediatric food stagnation: Use Aiye (Mugwort Leaf) pounded soft, mix with Puxiao (Mirabilite) evenly, apply to the hard area of the abdomen with cloth, wrap it up to let the child sleep, and remove the next morning.

Preparation Method: Use ten jin (approx. 5 kg) of pure white Puxiao (Mirabilite) and one shi (approx. 100 liters) of flowing water. Boil to dissolve, filter out residues, and expose to the open air overnight. Remove the water to obtain the crystal. For every ten dou (approx. 100 liters volume equivalent) of crystal, add one jin (approx. 500g) of Luobo (Radish), sliced, and boil together until cooked. Filter cleanly and expose to the open air overnight again. Take out. For every jin (approx. 500g) of crystal, boil with one liang (approx. 30g) of Gancao (Licorice Root), remove residues, and expose to the open air overnight once more. Place in a large clay jar, seal tightly with salt mud to a thickness of half cun (approx. 1.5 cm), without covering the mouth. Place in a stove, heating first with mild fire (Wenhuo) then strong fire (Wuhuo). Once boiling stabilizes, cover with a tile and reseal as before. Apply fierce fire. After cooling for one fushi (approx. 2 hours), remove. Place on the ground over paper, cover with a basin for three days to eliminate residual fire energy. Grind into powder. For every jin (approx. 500g) of powder, add one liang (approx. 30g) of raw Gancao (Licorice Root) powder and one liang (approx. 30g) of honey-fried Gancao (Licorice Root) powder, mix evenly, and store in a bottle.

Indications: Heart heat with irritability, accumulations in the five zang organs, promoting urination and defecation. Compared to Mangxiao (Glauber's Salt), this preparation has fewer adverse effects and is most suitable for attacking and resolving accumulations.