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(Registered as a Superior Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Classic of Materia Medica])

**[Names]** Choubao (Ugly Treasure).

**[Collection and Explanation]** The *Bielu* [Recorded by Famous Physicians] states: Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis) is produced in Longxi and Jin regions, obtained specifically from the gallbladder of cattle. It should be dried in the shade for one hundred days until dry, avoiding exposure to sunlight or moonlight. Lei Xiao said: After a cow dies, the bile turns yellow and enters the gallbladder, resembling egg yolk. Tao Hongjing said: It was previously rumored that divine cows entering and exiting would roar; at night, they were seen glowing and walking into their horns. People would hold basins of water to catch them as they vomited, causing them to fall into the water. Nowadays, people mostly obtain it directly from the gallbladder. One piece is as large as an egg yolk, layered upon itself. Among medicinal substances, none is more precious than this. A single piece or one worth two or three fen of high quality is valued at five to ten thousand cash. It is mostly produced in Liangzhou and Yizhou. Su Gong said: Current Niu Huang comes from Laizhou, Mizhou, Zizhou, Qingzhou, [Certain] Zhou, and Rongzhou. Cattle possessing Niu Huang must frequently bellow; those obtained through intimidation and coercion are called "Sheng Huang" (Raw Yellow), which is of the best quality. There are three types of Niu Huang: San Huang (Scattered Yellow) granules like hemp seeds or beans; Man Huang (Spread Yellow) like egg yolk paste, located between the liver and gallbladder; Yuan Huang (Round Yellow) in lumps of various sizes, all within the liver and gallbladder. It mostly occurs in castrated bulls; it has not been heard that uncastrated bulls produce it. Su Song said: It is currently produced in Dengzhou and Laizhou. Although found elsewhere, it is not of good quality. Any cow with Niu Huang will glow at night, have blood-red eyes, and frequently roar, frightening people. It also likes to look at water; people hold basins of water to catch it, wait for it to vomit, then intimidate it so it falls into the water. It is then collected and dried in the shade for one hundred days. A single piece as large as an egg yolk, which can be peeled apart, is light and hollow with a fragrant aroma, which is considered excellent. However, many people counterfeit it. The test method is simply to rub it on fingernails; if the yellow color penetrates the nail, it is genuine. Lei Xiao said: There are four types: Those obtained through intimidation are named Shenshen Huang (Divine Spirit Yellow); those obtained after killing in the horn are named Jiaozhong Huang (Horn Yellow); those stripped from the heart after the cow dies of illness are named Xinhuang (Heart Yellow), initially like yellow slurry in the heart, becoming hard like broken Tribulus or beads when dipped in water; those obtained from the liver and gallbladder are named Ganhuang (Liver Yellow), generally inferior to Sheng Huang. Chen Cheng said: Niu Huang is light and naturally slightly fragrant. From the Western Regions comes a type of Niu Huang that is hard and not fragrant. There is also Camel Stone (Luotuo Huang), which is very easy to obtain and can cause confusion, so it must be carefully distinguished.

**[Processing]** Lei Xiao said: When used, it should be individually pounded and ground into dust, wrapped in silk, then further wrapped in tender cowhide, and suspended in a well overnight, about three to four chi above the water surface. Retrieve it early the next morning.

**[Flavor and Toxicity]** Bitter, neutral, slightly toxic. The *Rihua Bencao* says: Sweet, cool. Lei Xiao said: Non-toxic. Xu Zhicai said: Ren Shen (Ginseng) acts as its guiding herb. Combined with Mudan (Tree Peony Root Bark) and Changpu (Acorus Rhizome), it benefits the ears and eyes. It is incompatible with Longgu (Fossilized Bones), Longdancao (Gentian Root), Dihuang (Rehmannia Root), Changshan (Dichroa Root), and Feilian (Cockroach). It fears Niuxi (Achyranthes Root) and Ganqi (Dried Lacquer). Li Shizhen said: The *Bielu* states that Niu Huang is incompatible with Longdancao, yet Qian Yi used both in Liangjing Wan (Cooling Convulsion Pill) and Shexiang Wan (Musk Pill) to treat pediatric acute convulsive malnutrition. Why? Longdancao treats convulsions, clears heat, and kills parasites, sharing similar indications with Niu Huang, and both are herbs of the Liver meridian; they should not be mutually incompatible to this extent.

**[Indications]** Treats convulsions, epilepsy, cold-heat alternating syndromes, excessive heat with mania, expels evil spirits and pathogens (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats hundred diseases in children, various epileptic fevers, inability to open the mouth, adult mania and epilepsy, and can induce abortion. Long-term use makes the body light, increases longevity, and prevents forgetfulness (*Bielu*). Mainly treats wind-stroke with loss of voice and locked jaw, women's blood-lock with palpitations, epidemic febrile diseases, amnesia, and deficiency fatigue (*Rihua Bencao*). Calms the soul and stabilizes the spirit, dispels evil charms, sudden poisoning by malignant qi, and infantile nocturnal crying (Zhen Quan). Benefits the liver and gallbladder, stabilizes the spirit, clears heat, stops convulsive diarrhea, dispels malignant qi, and cures hundred diseases (Sun Simiao). Clears the heart and transforms heat, resolves phlegm and cools convulsions (Ning Yuan). Can be used for purple-colored smallpox lesions accompanied by mania and delirium (Li Shizhen. From Wang Shi's Formula).

**[Elucidation]** Li Gao said: Niu Huang enters the Liver meridian and treats tendon disorders. For cases where wind-stroke affects the zang organs, preparations containing Niu Huang, Xiong Huang (Realgar), Naona (Borneol), and Shexiang (Musk) must be used to enter the bone marrow and penetrate the skin to draw out the wind pathogen. If used for wind affecting the fu organs and vessels, it may draw the wind pathogen deeper into the bone marrow, like oil penetrating flour, from which it cannot be extracted.
However, because the pathology condenses into yellow stones between the heart and liver/gallbladder, it can consequently treat diseases of the heart and liver/gallbladder. Just as human urinary calculi can treat strangury. According to the *History of Song*, when Zong Ze served as Prefect of Laizhou, an envoy requested Niu Huang. Zong Ze said: In spring during epidemics, cattle drinking poisoned water form these stones. Now that harmonious qi prevails, cattle no longer produce them. This observation confirms that the stone is a disease product of the cattle.

**[Attached Formulas]** Four old formulas, four new formulas. To remove evil influences and dispel malignant qi three days after birth: Take a bean-sized amount of Niu Huang and a sour-jujube-sized amount of red honey, grind evenly, dip cotton in it, and let the infant suckle until finished within one day. (Yao Hezhong's Formula)
For locked jaw at seven days: Grind Niu Huang into powder, dissolve with Dan Zhuli (Light Bamboo Sap) equivalent to one zi, and administer. Also drip pig milk. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*)
For neonatal fetal heat or jaundice: Take a bean-sized amount of genuine Niu Huang, mix with honey to make a paste, dilute with breast milk, and drip into the infant's mouth occasionally. Do not administer excessively if the appearance and texture are insubstantial. (*Qian's Pediatric Formulas*)
For convulsions with tongue biting, confusion, and upward-gazing eyes: Grind a bean-sized amount of Niu Huang, mix with honey water, and administer. (*Guangli Fang*)
For pediatric convulsive conditions: For infants with accumulated heat, dry fur, talking wildly in sleep, and impending convulsions. Mix 6 fen of Niu Huang and 5 qian of Zhusha (Cinnabar), grind together. Grind Xijiao (Rhinoceros Horn - *Note: Use substitutes in modern practice*), mix with the juice, and administer 1 qian. (*Zongwei Lun*)
For abdominal pain and nocturnal crying: Administer a small bean-sized amount of Niu Huang dissolved in breast milk. Also write the character "Tian" (Field) below the navel. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*)
For blackened and depressed smallpox lesions: Two grains of Niu Huang, 1 fen of Zhusha, grind into powder. Soak Zhiyan (Carthamus/Safflower) in honey, extract the juice, mix with the powder, and apply once daily. (Wang Shi's *Douzhen Fang*)