（《纲目》）
【集解】时珍曰∶烧木为炭。木久则腐，而炭入土不腐者，木有生性，炭无生性也。葬
家用炭，能使虫蚁不入，竹木之根自回，亦缘其无生性耳。古者冬至、夏至前二日，垂土炭
于衡两端，轻重令匀，阴气至则土重，阳气至则炭重也。
【主治】栎炭火，宜锻炼一切金石药。桴炭火，宜烹煎焙炙百药丸散（时珍）。
【主治】误吞金银铜铁在腹，烧红，急为末，煎汤呷之；甚者，刮末三钱，井水
调服，未效再服。又解水银、轻粉毒。带火炭纳水底，能取水银出也。上立炭带之，辟邪恶
鬼气。除夜立之户内，亦辟邪恶（时珍）。
【附方】新六。
卒然咽噎∶炭末蜜丸，含咽。（《千金方》）
白虎风痛，日夜走注，百节如啮。炭灰五升，蚯蚓屎一升，红花七捻，和熬。以醋拌之，
用故布包二包，更互熨痛处，取效。（《圣惠方》）
久近肠风（下血）。用紧炭三钱，枳壳（烧存性）五钱。为末。每服三钱，五更米饮下
一服，天明再服，当日见效。忌油腻毒物。（《普济方》）
汤火灼疮∶炭末，香油调涂。（《济急方》）
白癞头疮∶白炭烧红，投沸汤中，温洗之取效。（《百一方》）
阴囊湿痒∶桴炭、紫苏叶末，扑之。（《经验方》）
（《纲目》）
【主治】宜煎一切滋补药（时珍）。
【发明】时珍曰∶凡服汤药，虽品物专精，修治如法，而煎药者卤莽造次，水火不良，
火候失度，则药亦无功。观夫茶味之美恶，饭味之甘 ，皆系于水火烹饪之得失，即可推矣
。是以煎药须用小心老成人，以深罐密封，新水活火，先武后文，如法服之，未有不效者。
火用陈芦、枯竹，取其不强，不损药力也；桑柴火取其能助药力；桴炭，取其力慢；栎炭
，取其力紧；温养用糠及马屎、牛屎者，取其缓而能使药力匀遍也。
(From *Bencao Gangmu* / Compendium of Materia Medica)
[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen stated: Charcoal is produced by burning wood. Wood rots over time, but charcoal does not rot when buried in the soil; this is because wood possesses "sheng xing" (vitality/life force), whereas charcoal lacks it. Charcoal used in burials prevents insects and ants from entering and allows the roots of bamboo and trees to regenerate naturally, also due to its lack of vitality. In ancient times, two days before the Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice, earth and charcoal were hung on opposite ends of a balance scale to ensure equal weight. When Yin Qi arrives, the earth becomes heavier; when Yang Qi arrives, the charcoal becomes heavier.
[Indications] Lichen charcoal fire (charcoal made from Quercus species) is suitable for processing various mineral and metallic drugs. Fumu charcoal fire (charcoal made from shrubs or twigs) is suitable for decocting, baking, and roasting various pills and powders. (Li Shizhen)
[Indications] For accidentally swallowed gold, silver, copper, or iron lodged in the abdomen: heat the metal until red hot, quickly grind it into powder, decoct in water, and sip slowly. For severe cases, scrape off three qian of powder, mix with well water, and take orally. If ineffective, repeat the dose. It can also detoxify mercury and calomel. Placing fiery charcoal at the bottom of water can extract mercury. Carrying Shangli charcoal (a type of high-quality hard wood charcoal) on one's person wards off evil spirits and miasma. Placing it inside the door on New Year's Eve also wards off evil influences. (Li Shizhen)
[Attached Prescriptions] Six new prescriptions.
Sudden throat obstruction: Mix charcoal powder with honey to form pills, hold in the mouth, and swallow slowly. (*Qianjin Fang*)
White Tiger Wind Pain (a type of migratory joint pain): Use five sheng of charcoal ash, one sheng of earthworm excrement, and seven pinches of Safflower (Honghua). Mix and roast. Moisten with vinegar, wrap in two pieces of old cloth, and alternately apply hot compresses to the painful areas until effective. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Chronic or recent Changfeng (intestinal bleeding/hematochezia): Use three qian of dense charcoal and five qian of Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus) charred to retain its properties. Grind into powder. Take three qian per dose, administered with rice water at Wugeng (early morning, 3-5 AM) for one dose, and another dose at dawn. Effect should be seen on the same day. Avoid greasy and toxic foods. (*Puji Fang*)
Scalds and burns: Apply charcoal powder mixed with sesame oil to the affected area. (*Jiji Fang*)
White Leprosy Scalp Sores: Heat white charcoal until red hot, immerse in boiling water, and wash the affected area with the warm water until effective. (*Baiyi Fang*)
Dampness and itching of the scrotum: Dust the affected area with a mixture of Fumu charcoal and Perilla leaf powder. (*Jingyan Fang*)
(From *Bencao Gangmu*)
[Indications] Suitable for decocting various nourishing and tonifying medicines. (Li Shizhen)
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: Regarding the administration of herbal decoctions, even if the ingredients are of superior quality and processed according to standard methods, if the person decocting the medicine is careless, the water and fire are improperly matched, or the heat control is inaccurate, the medicine will be ineffective. One can infer this principle from observing that the quality of tea flavor and the taste of rice depend entirely on the success or failure of water and fire cooking. Therefore, decocting medicine requires a careful and experienced adult, using a deep jar sealed tightly, fresh water, and active fire. One must start with strong fire (Wu Huo) and switch to mild fire (Wen Huo), following proper procedures. Such preparations are invariably effective.
Regarding fuel selection: Use aged reeds and withered bamboo as they have weak heat and do not damage the medicinal power; Mulberry branch fire is used because it can assist the medicinal power; Fumu charcoal is used because its heat is slow; Lichen charcoal is used because its heat is intense; For warming and nurturing therapies, use bran, horse manure, or cow manure because their heat is gentle and ensures the medicinal power spreads evenly throughout the body.