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(From *Bencao Gangmu* [Compendium of Materia Medica])
【Jijie (Collected Explanations)】 Li Shizhen states: This refers to the scoop used for rinsing rice. Wooden scoops and gourd scoops are both usable.
【Zhuzhi (Indications)】 For facial wind-induced millet-like rashes, which may appear blue, yellow, or reddish, accompanied by dull pain and astringency, as well as sores on the lips. Scrape one or two grains of "sand" (i.e., Shiyan, Stone Swallow) from the rim of a household scoop; this will bring relief. Additionally, for women suffering from mastitis (blocked milk ducts), take seven pieces of Shiyan, swallow them with warm wine, and use a broom twig to unblock the nipple. The rationale behind these methods remains unclear (Li Shizhen).

(From *Tang Bencao* [Tang Dynasty Materia Medica])
【Jijie (Collected Explanations)】 Li Ji states: Shiyan is produced in Lingling.
Su Gong states: It is found by digging more than one zhang deep on an earthen mound fifteen li northwest of Qiyang County, Yongzhou. Its shape resembles a clam but is smaller, hard and heavy like stone. Folklore claims that during thunderstorms, they emerge from stone caves and fly down with the rain; this is absurd.
Su Song states: They are found on the sandy beaches along the riverbank in Qiyang County. Some say they grow in caves; those that are condensed, stiff, and stone-like are of superior quality. They can be gathered at any time.
Kou Zongshi states: Shiyan resembles clams or cockles, has a soil-colored appearance, and is hard and heavy like stone. Since it lacks wings, how can it fly? Such talk is close to nonsense.
Li Shizhen states: There are two types of Shiyan: One is the type described above, belonging to the mineral class. It resembles a swallow with patterns; round and large ones are male, while long and small ones are female. The other type is the Shiyan found in stalactite caves, resembling bats. These consume stalactite milk and can fly; they belong to the avian class. See "Avian Shiyan" in the Avian section. Consuming them provides nourishment and has the same efficacy as Stalactite (Zhuru), so formulas aiding Yang qi often use them. Laypeople do not understand this and mistakenly use this stone as an aphrodisiac, publishing it in medical texts, which is erroneous.
【Qiwei (Flavor and Properties)】 Sweet, cool, non-toxic.
【Zhuzhi (Indications)】 For Lin syndrome (dysuria/painful urination), decoct and drink the juice. For difficult labor in women, holding one piece in each hand yields immediate results (*Tang Bencao*).
It treats eye opacities, various types of dribbling discharge, chronic Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst/diabetes), frequent organ diarrhea, Chang Feng (intestinal wind/hemorrhoids) lasting many years without healing, sallow complexion, loss of taste, turbid menstruation in women, and chronic leukorrhea (red and white vaginal discharge). Grind into juice daily for consumption. One piece lasts three days, using this as the standard. It can also be powdered, processed by water flotation, and taken half a qian to one qian daily with rice water. After one month, all ailments should subside (Li Shizhen).
【Faming (Elucidation)】 Li Shizhen states: Shiyan is cool in nature and acts to open orifices and move damp-heat. During the Song dynasty revision of the Materia Medica, the avian Shiyan that consumes stalactite milk was incorrectly grouped under this mineral Shiyan. Consequently, folk custom mistakenly believes this stone aids Yang qi, unaware that its effect is actually opposite.
【Fu Fang (Attached Formulas)】 Three old formulas, eight new formulas.
Shang Han (Cold Damage) causing urinary obstruction and lower abdominal fullness: Powder the Shiyan. Mix half a qian with scallion white decoction and take frequently until distension resolves (*Shenghui Fang*).
Dysuria with pain: Seven Shiyan seeds (crushed to the size of millet seeds), three liang of fresh mulberry root bark (chopped).
Mix evenly, divide into seven doses. Each dose is decocted with one cup of water until reduced to 70%. Take once on an empty stomach and once before noon (*Jianyao Jizhong Fang*).
Blood Lin with restlessness: Equal parts Shiyan seeds, Phytolacca radix (Shanglu), Adzuki beans (Chixiaodou), and Safflower (Honghua). Powder them. Take one qian per dose, mixed with scallion white decoction (*Shenghui Fang*).
Chronic intestinal wind: Grind Shiyan with water and take regularly without interruption (*Lingyuan Fang*).
Chronic red and white leukorrhea: Grind one piece of Shiyan with water and take; effects are immediate (*Xu Family Prescribed Formula*).
Infant vomiting milk and coughing, chronic and unhealed: Powder the Shiyan. Mix a small amount with honey and apply to the lips, three to five times daily (*Weisheng Baojian*).
Entropion (inverted eyelashes): Shiyan (one male, one female). Grind with water and apply to the eyes. First, pluck the inverted lashes with tweezers, then apply the medicine, and finally wash the eyes with Coptis chinensis (Huanglian) water (*Qiankun Shengyi*).
Strengthen teeth and relieve pain: Three pairs of Shiyan (calcined and quenched in vinegar seven times), one liang of Blue Vitriol (Qingyan), one liang of Frankincense (Ruxiang), and half a liang of Asarum (Xixin). Powder them. Use for brushing teeth, then rinse mouth with Schizonepeta (Jingjie) decoction. Alternative formula: Remove Ruxiang and Xixin, add Musk (Shexiang). Loose and weak teeth: Five pairs of Shiyan seeds (calcined and quenched in rice vinegar seven times, powdered), a small amount of Qingyan and Shexiang. Grind uniformly. After daily tooth brushing, rinse mouth with warm wine and swallow (*Yuan Yishan Formula*).
Reaction to taking Shiyan: Seven Shiyan seeds (crushed). Decoct three sheng of water until reduced to two sheng. Frequently wash/rinse the affected area until healed (*Shengji Zonglu*).