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(Sourced from the Song Dynasty *Jiayou Bencao*)

[Names] Gongfen (Mercuric Chloride), Qingfen (Light Powder, from *Kaibao Bencao Shiyi*), Qiaofen (Sharp Powder, from *Rihua Zi Bencao*), Nifen. Li Shizhen said: "Qing" (Light) refers to its texture; "Qiao" (Sharp) refers to its shape; "Ni" (Greasy/Smooth) refers to its nature. In ancient times, when Xiao Shi and Duke Mu of Qin refined Feiyun Dan (Flying Cloud Elixir), the first transformation product was Qingfen, which is this substance.

[Preparation] Li Shizhen said: The method for sublimating Qingfen: Take 1 liang of Mercury (Shuiyin), 2 liang of Alum (Baifan), and 1 liang of Salt (Yanshi). Grind them together until no mercury droplets are visible. Spread the mixture in an iron vessel, cover it with a small black earthenware bowl. Sieve stove ash, mix with salt water, and seal the mouth of the bowl tightly. Burn charcoal for the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, then open. The powder will have sublimated onto the upper part of the bowl. It is white as snow, light and lovely. One liang of mercury can yield 8 qian of powder. Another method: Take 1 liang of Mercury, 7 qian of Green Vitriol (Zaofan), and 5 qian of White Salt. Grind together and sublimate as described above. Yet another method: First, stir-fry 4 liang of Green Vitriol, 1 liang of Salt, and 5 qian of Saltpeter (Yanxiao) until yellow to make a catalyst. Then take 1 liang of Mercury, add 2 liang of the catalyst, and 2 qian of Alum. Grind uniformly and sublimate as described above. *Haike Lun* states: Various alums do not combine with mercury, but Green Vitriol mixed with salt can transform mercury into powder. Why? Mercury is considered the soul of Gold; Green Vitriol is the essence of Iron. Their qi shares the same root, allowing temporary formation of powder. Without salt, the color would not be white.

[Flavor and Properties] Acrid, Cold, Non-toxic. Tang Shenwei (Daming) said: It is opposed by Magnetite (Cishi) and Realgar (Shihuang); contraindicated in all blood disorders, because it originates from Cinnabar (Dansha). Li Shizhen said: Warm, Dry, Toxic. Its nature is ascending and floating. Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Tufuling (Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma), aged soybean paste, Heiqian (Black Lead), and Tiejiang (Iron Slurry) can neutralize its toxicity.

[Indications] Unblocks the Large Intestine; treats pediatric gan accumulation and scrofula (Luoli); kills parasites causing sores, scabies, and tinea; treats rhinophyma (jiu chi) and wind-sores with itching (Chen Cangqi). Treats phlegm-fluid retention, edema, distension, and toxic sores (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Kou Zongshi said: Mercuric chloride descends phlegm-fluid from the diaphragm and is frequently used in formulas for pediatric salivary overflow and convulsions. However, it should not be taken regularly or in excess, as excessive use damages the body. If combined with fright, it is dangerous and requires caution. Fright is due to deficiency of Heart Qi and should not be treated with purgatives. Using purgatives leads to interior deficiency, allowing fright qi to enter the Heart, making it incurable. If the patient is already deficient, this drug must be strictly prohibited; utmost caution is required.

Liu Wansu said: Silver powder can damage teeth. The upper and lower gingiva belong to the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians. When toxic vapors affect the intestines and stomach, and the spirit, qi, blood, and water-grain nutrients cannot withstand the toxicity, the toxin follows the meridians upward to harm the tender and thin gingival tissues. Li Shizhen said: Mercury is an extremely yin toxic substance. It emerges from cinnabar through fire refinement, becomes Qingfen through refinement with salt and alum, and becomes Yinzhu (Silver Cinnabar) through sublimation with sulfur. It is light, flying, spiritual, and transformative, converting pure yin into dryness and heat. Its nature moves without staying put; it excels at seizing phlegm-fluid and eliminating stagnation. Thus, when edema, wind-phlegm, damp-heat, or toxic sores are seized, phlegm-fluid exits via the gingiva, pathogenic depression is temporarily relieved, and the disease heals. However, if taken in excess or improperly, the toxic vapors are steamed and penetrate the meridians, collaterals, sinews, and bones, unable to exit. Once phlegm-fluid is removed, blood and fluids are depleted, sinews lose nourishment, and Ying and Wei qi become disordered. This transforms into tendon spasms and bone pain, developing into carbuncles, gan ulcers, or hand-foot fissures, insect tinea, and stubborn bi syndrome. Over years, it becomes a chronic disability, with infinite harm. Observing alchemists refining mercury and light powder, if the cauldron loses sealing integrity, iron and stone are penetrated; how much more so human sinews, bones, skin, and flesh? Chen Wenzhong stated that light powder descends phlegm but damages Heart Qi; it should not be used lightly in children, as it harms the Spleen and destroys Yang, inevitably leading to other syndromes. Newborns especially require caution. Conversely, Yanshan Shi believed that fetuses receive maternal dietary heat-toxin qi, accumulating in the chest and diaphragm, causing every newborn to suffer from fright. It is advisable to administer Huanglian to clear heat, Nifen to scatter toxins, along with Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Zhusha (Cinnabar), and honey water to clear and calm the Heart and Lungs within three days of birth. Once accumulated toxins are resolved, the infant is spared this affliction. These two views differ, each having merit: one states those without fetal toxin should not take it lightly; the other states those with fetal toxin should resolve it preemptively. Users must exercise judgment.

[Attached Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, thirty-one new prescriptions.

For newborn infants: Add a little salt to bath water, dry the infant, and rub a small amount of Nifen over the body. This prevents fear of wind and disperses various qi (*Quanyou Xinjian*).

For congenital anal atresia (Suodu): Caused by fetal heat-toxin binding in the anus, resulting in closure for three days after birth. Urgently have a woman suckle the infant's anterior/posterior chest, palms, soles, and umbilicus (seven points total), four to five times. Mix half a qian of Qingfen with a little honey and warm water. Administer small amounts frequently until passage is achieved (*Quanyou Xinjian*).

For pediatric salivary wheezing unresponsive to medication: Take one egg white from a rooster-less hen. Mix with ten qian of fried Qingfen. Place in a silver vessel and steam over a hot water bottle until cooked. A three-year-old child should consume it entirely. Vomiting phlegm or diarrhea indicates recovery. Only suitable for children with excess qi (*Yanshan Huoyou Kouyi*).

For infants with continuous nursing refusal, effective immediately: Mix one qian of Nifen with seven peeled fermented soybeans (Yanchi). Grind uniformly and form pills the size of sesame seeds. Take three pills per dose with Huoxiang (Agastache) decoction (*Huoyou Kouyi*).

For children eating dirt and abdominal distension: Mix one fen of Nifen with sugar and form pills the size of sesame seeds. Take one pill on an empty stomach with rice drink. After some time, dirt will be excreted, and the condition will heal (*Jingyan Fang*).

For constipation of both urine and stool, severe bloating threatening life, fatal within two to three days: Mix one qian of Nifen with one he of raw sesame oil. Take on an empty stomach (*Shenghui Fang*).

For fecal impaction: Mix half a qian of Nifen with a sugar pill-sized amount of sugar. Grind and form pills the size of wu zi (small seeds). Take five pills before bed with warm water. Alternative: Mix two qian of Nifen with one qian of Red Lead (Huandan). Make into powder. Take one qian with rice drink (*Puji Fang*).

For bloody dysentery with abdominal pain: Mix five qian of Nifen with three qian of Dingfen (Lead Oxide). Grind together. Soak a small amount of steamed bun heart in water, mix with the powder, and form pills the size of mung beans. Take seven or ten pills per dose with decoction made from one mugwort leaf and one cup of water (*Mibao Fang*).

For Xiao Zhong (wasting-thirsty syndrome) with voracious appetite: Often caused by external heat injury, internal worry/thought, consumption of salty foods and wheat, leading to dryness of Spleen and Stomach, excessive food intake, failure to generate muscle, hard stools, and frequent urination. Take one qian of Qingfen as powder, mixed with ginger juice, and wash down with flowing water. Floating gums indicate efficacy. Follow up with Zhudu Wan (Pig Stomach Pill) to tonify (*Weishi Dexiao Fang*).

For all types of deficiency wind: Bu'er San: Take one liang of Nifen (boiled in water five times until residue remains like hemp feet, dried over slow fire) and half a liang of Musk (Shexiang). Grind finely. Take one zi (a very small measure) per dose, mixed with warm water (*Sun Yonghe Mibao Fang*).

For water qi edema and fullness: Take one qian of Hongfen (Mercury Powder - prepared by placing in hollowed chicken egg white, wrapping in steamed bun dough, and steaming), one qian of fried Tingli (Descurainiae Semen/Lepidii Semen), mix with steamed bun dough, and form pills the size of mung beans. Take three to five pills per dose with Cheqian Cao (Plantago Seed) decoction, three times daily. Miraculous effect (*Yilei Yuanrong*).

For pockmarks developing opacity: Mix equal parts Qingfen and Huandan (Red Lead). Make into powder. Blow into the right ear if the left eye is affected, or into the left ear if the right eye is affected. Opacity will recede (*Wangshi Douzhen Fang*).

Women's facial cream: Taizhen Hongyu Gao: Mix equal parts Qingfen, Talcum (Huashi), and Apricot Kernels (Xingren, peeled). Make into powder. Steam, add a little Borneol (Nao) and Musk (Shexiang). Mix evenly with egg white. Apply after washing face. After ten days, skin color resembles red jade (*Guige Shanyi*).

For scratched facial skin: Mix fresh ginger juice with Qingfen powder and apply. Leaves no scar (*Jiuji Fang*).

For toothache: Mix one qian of Qingfen with one clove of garlic. Pound into a cake. Place in the depression in front of the mastoid process. First place a copper coin between the skin and the cake, cover with clam shell, and tie securely. Heal overnight. Apply to the right side for left pain, and vice versa (*Zhai Xuan Fang*).

For wind-worm gum disease with pus, blood, and worms: Mix one qian of Qingfen with one liang of Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma). Make into powder and sprinkle (*Puji Fang*).

For infant ear erosion: Mix equal parts Qingfen and date ash. Grind, mix with oil, and apply (*Zhai Xuan Fang*).

For bottom ear swelling and pain with continuous discharge: Mix one qian of Qingfen with one fen of Musk (Shexiang). Make into powder and sprinkle (*Jianbian Fang*).

For erosive marginal blepharitis (Lanxian Fengyan): Use Nifen powder, mix with saliva, and apply to the inner canthus two to three times daily (*Shenghui Fang*).

For infant scalp sores: Mix Nifen with green onion juice and apply. Alternative: Fry egg yolks to extract oil, add sesame oil and Nifen powder, and apply (*Jijian Fang*).

For infant tinea: Mix pork fat with Qingfen and smear (*Zhizhi Fang*).

For cowhide severe tinea: Eat one slice of roasted beef at dawn. Shortly after, take half a qian of Qingfen with warm wine (*Zhizhi Fang*).

For Yángméi Chuāng (Syphilis-like sore) tinea: *Lingnan Weisheng Fang*: Mix equal parts Hongfen (Mercuric Chloride) and Dayfengzi (Croton Seed Kernel) meat. Make into powder and apply. Healing ensues. *Yifang Zhai Xuan*: Take two qian of Qingfen and forty-two apricot kernels (peeled). Wash the sore, dry it, and apply. Heals within three applications. If dry, mix with goose bile.

For Yángméi Dú Chuāng (Syphilitic ulcer): *Yixue Tongzhi*: Take one qian of Qingfen, two and a half qian each of Xionghuang (Realgar) and Dansha (Cinnabar), one liang each of fried Huaihua (Sophora Flower) and roasted Guiban (Tartar Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum). Make into powder, bind with paste, and form pills the size of wu zi. Take one qian per dose with cold tea, twice daily. Heals in seven days. *Yang Cheng Jingyan Fang*: Take two qian each of Qingfen, Walnut Kernel (Hetaoren), fried and ground Huaihua, and red date meat. Pound into pills. Divide into three doses. Day 1: take with chicken soup; Day 2: with wine; Day 3: with tea. Finish in three days. Sores dry on day 5, scabs fall off on day 7. Another prescription: Take one pair of pig kidneys, remove membrane, split open, sprinkle one qian of Qingfen inside each, tie securely, and fry in two liang of sesame oil until cooked. Consume all at once. Prevents oral ulcers, swelling, and loose teeth. Continue taking Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) herbs. Another prescription: Take one large chicken egg, remove yolk, keep white. Mix in one qian of Qingfen evenly. Paste with paper, steam over rice, and eat.

For Chan Gan Yin Chuang (Chancre genital ulcer): Sprinkle Qingfen powder directly onto the dry lesion. Scabbing and healing occur immediately (*Wanbiao Jishantang Fang*).

For non-healing sores: Wash with warm vinegar juice, wipe dry. Mix Qingfen with green onion juice and apply. Alternative: Mix five fen of Qingfen with one liang of Yellow Beeswax (Huangla). Sprinkle powder on paper, spread wax over it. Bind to the sore. Healing occurs when yellow fluid drains out (*Yonglei Fang*).

For carbuncles, malignant sores, and various Yángméi sores: Take one liang of Mercury (Shuiyin), two and a half qian each of Zhusha (Cinnabar) and Xionghuang (Realgar), two and a half liang each of Baifan (Alum) and Lüfan (Green Vitriol). Grind uniformly, place in a jar, cover with a lamp saucer, seal with salt mud, and refine using mild and strong fire. Collect the powder sublimated at the jar mouth. Take three qian of this powder, add five fen each of Rushxiang (Frankincense) and Moyao (Myrrh), sprinkle onto Taiyi Gao (Taiyi Plaster), and apply. Extremely effective. Named Wubao Shuang (Five-Treasure Frost).