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[Classified as Middle Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
【Names】Baishui Shi (White Water Stone) (*Benjing*), Hanshui Shi (Cold Water Stone), Lingshui Shi (Ice Water Stone) (*Bielu*), Yanjing Shi (Salt Essence Stone), Nijing (Mud Essence), Yanzhen (Salt Pillow) (*Gangmu*), Yangen (Salt Root).
Li Shizhen states: When broken into slices and thrown into water, its color matches the water, and the surface appears to congeal and move; furthermore, in summer, it can be ground into powder, boiled into a decoction, put into a bottle, and suspended upside down at the bottom of a well, where it instantly forms ice. Hence the names Ning Shui (Congealed Water), Baishui, Hanshui, and Lingshui. It grows beneath accumulated salt deposits, hence the names such as Salt Essence. Gypsum also bears the name "Hanshui," but it is different from this stone.

【Collected Explanations】The *Bielu* records: Ning Shui Shi resembles mica in color and can be split; it is the essence of salt. It is produced in the valleys of Changshan, Zhongshui County, and Handan.
Tao Hongjing states: Changshan (i.e., Hengshan) belongs to Bingzhou. Zhongshui belongs to Hejian, and Handan belongs to Zhao Commandery. The land in these areas is all saline-alkaline, hence it is called the essence of salt, and when crushed, it resembles Puxiao (Mirabilite). This stone, when powdered and placed in water, forms ice in summer; this quality is considered superior.
Li Shizhen states: The *Bielu* says Ning Shui is the essence of salt. Tao also stated it grows in saline lands and resembles Puxiao when crushed. The *Fanzi Jiran* states it comes from Hedong.
Hedong is a saline land. Dugu Tao's *Danfang Jingyuan* states: Salt Essence comes from salt pools and looks like rock crystal. Based on these various accounts, Ning Shui is indeed Yanjing Shi, also known as Nijing, formerly called Yanzhen by ancients, and now called Yangen by modern people. It grows beneath accumulated salt in saline lands; the liquid essence seeps into the soil, reaches the spring over many years, and condenses into stone. Large pieces have tooth-like edges, resembling Mayaxiao (Sodium Sulfate Crystal); they are clear and lustrous like crystals, though some are greenish-black. All become moist in midsummer and dissolve after long immersion in water. Tao's commentary on Rongyan (Roc Salt) mentions that within the mud of salt pools, there is naturally condensed salt like stone flakes; when broken, they are square, and those that are greenish-black are this substance. Su Song's commentary on Xuanjing Shi mentions that Jiexi has Yanjing Shi, which tastes saltier and more bitter, belonging to the class of Xuanjing; he also commented on edible salt, stating that Yanzhen forms solid blocks with pores like honeycombs, which can be sealed and given as gifts; all these refer to this same substance. Physicians of the Tang and Song dynasties did not recognize this stone and annotated it using Gypsum and Calcitum, which was erroneous. I correct this below.

【Correction of Errors】Su Gong states: Ning Shui Shi has two types based on grain: longitudinal and transverse. Those with clear and bright color are superior. Some say longitudinal grain is Hanshui Shi, while transverse grain is Ning Shui Shi. Currently, those from Hancheng in Tongzhou, with greenish-black color and transverse grain like mica, are good; those from Chengzhou, with oblique grain and white color, are inferior.
Su Song states: They are also found in Fenzhou, Xizhou, and Deshun Jun in Hedong, harvested in March. There is another type called Lengyou Shi (Cold Oil Stone), which is entirely similar to this, but when thrown into a wok of boiling oil, the oil cools immediately. This stone is cold in nature and toxic; accidental ingestion causes paralysis from the waist down.
Kou Zongshi states: Ning Shui Shi has transparent and clear grain. Some grind and carve it into pillows for use in summer. For medicinal use, it must be calcined. Market vendors sometimes mix in Qingfen (Calomel) to pass it off as genuine, so one must be careful. Tao said that the ability to form ice in summer indicates superior quality; if so, no one in the world could obtain it.
Yan Xiaozhong states: Gypsum is white, clean, hard, and has a wall-like texture. Hanshui Shi is soft and rotten, can be crushed by hand, is slightly greenish-black on the outside, and has fine grains inside.
Wang Yinjun states: Hanshui Shi is hard, white, and crystalline, resembling the texture of Mingfan (Alumen) or Pengsha (Borax). When crushed, the particles are all square-shaped regardless of size, hence also named Fangjie Shi (Calcitum); what modern people call Ying Gao Shi (Hard Gypsum) is this.
Li Shizhen states: There are two types of Hanshui Shi: one is Ruan Gao Shi (Soft Gypsum), and the other is Ning Shui Shi. Only Tao Hongjing's annotation refers to the Hanshui Shi of Ning Shui, which aligns with this text. The descriptions by Su Gong, Su Song, Kou Zongshi, and Yan Xiaozhong all refer to the Hanshui Shi of Ruan Gao Shi. Wang Yinjun's description refers to Fangjie Shi. Various scholars failed to investigate the text's mention of Salt Essence, failing to understand its true nature, and thus identified Gypsum and Calcitum as Hanshui Shi. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, this error has been passed down, with both stones used interchangeably, while the true Salt Essence Hanshui Shi has never been used. This is a millennium-old error. The error regarding Gypsum persisted for nearly a thousand years until Zhu Zhenheng clarified it; the error regarding Ning Shui Shi, had I not investigated it deeply, would likely have remained lost forever.

【Preparation】It is stated: Whenever used, it must be boiled dry in fresh ginger juice and then ground into powder. For every ten taels of the stone, one yi of fresh ginger is used.

【Nature and Flavor】Acrid, Cold, Non-toxic. The *Bielu* states: Sweet, Great Cold.
Lei Xiao states: Shennong considered it Acrid; Qibo, Yi He, and Bian Que considered it Sweet and Non-toxic; Li Dangzhi considered it Great Cold. Li Shizhen states: Acrid, Salty. Zhang Zhicai states: It resolves Radicis Codonopsis (actually Baidu Dou/Adzuki Bean toxin context implies resolving specific toxins, here specifically Baidu Dou/Bean Poison) toxicity, and is incompatible with Diyu (Sanguisorba Officinalis Root). Dugu Tao states: It controls Dansha (Cinnabar) and subdues Xuanjing.

【Indications】Body heat, accumulation of pathogenic qi in the abdomen, sensation of fire burning in the skin, irritability and fullness, relieved by drinking water. Long-term use prevents hunger (*Benjing*). Eliminates epidemic heat excess, latent heat in the five zang organs, stomach heat, relieves thirst, treats edema, and bi-syndrome in the lower abdomen (*Bielu*). Suppresses Dan Shi (mineral pill) toxicity and wind, resolves recurrence of Shanghan (cold damage) due to overexertion (Zhen Quan). Treats white urine, internal bi-syndrome, cools blood and descends fire, stops toothache, strengthens teeth and improves vision (Li Shizhen).

【Elucidation】Li Shizhen states: Ning Shui Shi is formed by inheriting accumulated yin qi. Its nature is greatly cold, and its flavor is acrid and salty. Its function of entering the Kidney, moving through the Blood, and removing heat is similar to various salts. The Hanshui Shi used in ancient formulas is this stone; the Hanshui Shi in Tang and Song formulas is Gypsum; the Hanshui Shi in recent formulas is Feldspar and Calcitum. These are attached to their respective entries for detailed reference by users.

【Attached Prescriptions】Two old prescriptions, two new prescriptions.
For men and women experiencing Zhuan Pao (bladder torsion/dysuria) with inability to urinate: Hanshui Shi 2 liang, Huashi (Talcum) 1 liang, Kuizi (Abutilon Seeds) 1 he. Grind into powder. Boil in 1 dou of water until reduced to 5 sheng. Take 1 sheng at a time, and urination will be facilitated (*Yonglei Fang*).
For bleeding gums with ulcers: Hanshui Shi powder 3 liang, Zhusha (Cinnabar) 2 qian, Gancao Naonzi (Licorice Brain/Extract) 1 zi. Grind into powder.
Apply dry powder directly to the affected area (*Puji Fang*).
For scalds and burns: Hanshui Shi, calcined and ground into powder, applied topically (*Weisheng Yijian Fang*).
For pediatric Dan Du (erysipelas) with hot, red skin: Hanshui Shi 0.5 liang, Baitu (Kaolin) 1 fen. Grind into powder. Mix with rice vinegar and apply topically (*Jingyan Fang*).