Library

(Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao* Record)

[Names] Mosuo Shi (Moss-Feeling Stone).
Li Shizhen states: Yao Kuan, in *Xi Xi Cong Hua*, records that merchant ships passing by the foot of the Mountain of Producing Stones, people loved the stones there and rubbed them with their hands, hence the name "Mosuo" (rubbing). It is unknown if this is correct.

[Collection and Explanation] Su Song states: Posuo Shi grows in the South Sea and is mined by Hu people. The stone is green, without spots, contains gold stars, and when ground into a milky substance, it is considered superior. There is also Dou Ban Shi (Bean-Spotted Stone), which can also detoxify but is less potent. Additionally, there is E Lv (Green Ore with Veins), which has veins and turns iron copper-colored when ground; many people use this to counterfeit the real thing, but it is not genuine. Verification method: Grind the stone with water and drip onto fresh blood from a rooster's comb; if it dissolves into water, it is genuine.
Kou Zongshi states: Stones resembling light green malachite with occasional faint gold stars are excellent. There is also Dou Ban Shi, similar to this stone but with black spots and no gold stars.
Su Song states: Hu people highly value this stone, decorating it with gold to wear as finger rings or belts. Before eating or after finishing a meal, one would suck on it several times to prevent poisoning. Now, someone possessing a piece the size of a fingernail is worth a hundred taels of gold.
Li Shizhen states: *Geng Xin Yu Ce* records: Mosuo Shi is a Yang stone. It originates from Sanfoqi (Srivijaya). In Hainan, there is a mountain standing tall in five colors, where the stones have flames/luster. The water rolls down like arrows; when ships pass underneath, people strike and collect the stones with knives and axes. Burning it produces a sulfur smell. Stones shaped like yellow dragon teeth and heavy/solid are best. It can restrain the Five Metals, subdue the Three Yellows, and control lead and mercury.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, bland; Cold; Non-toxic.

[Indications] Resolves toxicity of all medicines; treats heat oppression and headache caused by miasma epidemics (*Kaibao Bencao*).

(Song Dynasty *Jiayou Bencao* Record)

[Names] Qing Meng Shi (Blue Meng Stone). Li Shizhen states: Its color is cyan/greenish-blue, hence the name.

[Collection and Explanation] Li Shizhen states: Meng Shi is found in mountains north of the Yangtze River, with those from [Specific Mountain] being best. There are two types: blue and white, with blue being superior. It is hard, fine, dark blue-black; when broken open, it contains white star-like points, which turn yellow like bran-gold after calcination. Those without star points are not used medicinally. A mountain in Tongcheng County produces this stone, and workers use it to make utensils.

[Preparation] Li Shizhen states: Use one large crucible. Crush 4 liang of Meng Shi, mix evenly with 4 liang of Niter (Potassium Nitrate). Surround with 15 jin of charcoal fire until the niter completely melts away and the stone turns golden in color. Remove, grind into powder, wash with water using the flying method to remove toxic impurities, dry, and use.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, salty; Neutral; Non-toxic.

[Indications] Treats food stagnation that does not digest, retention in the zang-fu organs, and chronic food-stagnation masses that do not heal. For children emaciated due to food stagnation, and women with chronic food-stagnation syndromes attacking the heart and abdomen. Combined with Croton Seed (Ba Dou), Amomum Fruit (Sha Ren), Rhubarb (Da Huang), and Burreed Tuber (Jing San Leng) made into pills for administration yields good results (*Jiayou Bencao*). Treats phlegm accumulation causing fright seizures, cough, and wheezing (Li Shizhen supplement).

[Invention/Analysis] Li Shizhen states: Qing Meng Shi has neutral qi and salty flavor; its nature descends, belonging to Yin and sinking, making it a herb for the Jueyin Liver Meridian. If Liver Wind-Wood qi becomes excessive and overacts upon Spleen-Earth, causing qi mechanism failure to transport and transform, leading to stagnation generating phlegm, obstructing the Upper and Middle Jiao, and transforming into wind-heat diseases, this heavy-sinking herb is suitable. Processed with Niter, whose nature is dispersing and promoting flow, it calms Wood, descends Qi, unblocks phlegm accumulation, and eliminates various symptoms. Tang Heng’s *Ying Er Bao Shu* states that Meng Shi is a sacred medicine for treating fright and benefiting phlegm. Phlegm vomited floats on water; sprinkling stone powder on it causes the phlegm to sink with the water, demonstrating its heavy-sinking nature. However, it should only be used for emergency relief; those with weak Qi and deficient Spleen should not take it long-term. Yang Shiying stated its function is to benefit phlegm, but its nature is not favored by the Stomach. For conditions like slow fright convulsions, it should be assisted with Costus Root (Mu Xiang). Wang Yinjun, however, claimed phlegm is the root of a hundred diseases and generally used Gun Tan Wan to treat all diseases regardless of deficiency/excess or cold/heat, which is unreasonable. Zhu Danxi said: An elderly man suddenly became blind, indicating a severe deficiency syndrome. A physician administered Meng Shi medicine, and he died that night. Alas! This was the fault of an ignorant doctor worsening deficiency through inappropriate tonification/treatment; is Meng Shi really a killer? Moreover, blindness has nothing to do with Meng Shi.

[Attached Prescriptions] Four new prescriptions.

Gun Tan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill): Generally treats phlegm-induced diseases. Contraindicated in watery diarrhea and pregnancy. Meng Shi and Yan Xiao (Calcined Niter) each 2 liang (calcined, ground fine, washed, dried, take 1 liang); Da Huang (wine-steamed) 8 liang; Huang Qin (wine-washed) 8 liang; Chen Xiang 5 qian. Grind into powder, make pills the size of wutong seeds. Daily maintenance dose: 10-20 pills. To promote bowel movement: 100-200 pills, taken with warm water. (Wang Yinjun, *Yang Sheng Zhu Lun*)

All Accumulation Diseases: Jin Bao Shen Dan (Golden Treasure Divine Pill): Treats all chronic accumulations due to deficiency-cold, chronic slippery diarrhea/dysentery, pi-masses, blood stabbing pain in heart/abdomen, dysentery, and uterine bleeding/leukorrhea in women. Qing Meng Shi 8 liang (powder), Xiao Shi (Niter) 2 liang (powder). Line the bottom and top of a crucible with the mixture, pressing firmly. Fire with 20 jin of charcoal until red-hot. Remove, add Chi Shi Zhi (Red Halloysite) powder 2 liang, make pills the size of euryale seeds with water drop method; dry, then place back in crucible, fire gently until red, and store. Take 1-3 pills per dose, empty stomach with warm water, suppress with a little food. For chronic diarrhea/dysentery, increase to 5-7 pills. (*Yang Shi Jia Cang Fang*)

Acute and Chronic Fright Convulsions: Duo Ming San (Life-Seizing Powder): Treats acute/chronic fright convulsions where phlegm-saliva obstructs the throat, life hanging in the balance. This pill sinks wind-phlegm and is a sacred medicine for treating fright and benefiting phlegm. Genuine Meng Shi 1 liang, Yan Xiao 1 liang. Stir-fry together, grind to powder. Take 0.5 qian or 1 qian per dose. For acute fright with phlegm-heat, mix with mint natural juice and raw honey; for chronic fright with Spleen deficiency, mix with Mu Xiang decoction and cooked honey. Alternatively, make pills the size of mung beans, take 2-3 pills per dose. (Tang Shi, *Ying Er Bao Shu*)

Pediatric Acute Fright: Qing Meng Shi, ground with water for oral administration. (*Wei Sheng Fang*)