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(From *Bie Lu* [Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians])

[Preparation] Tao Hongjing stated: "Yu xie" (Jade fragments/powder) refers to jade ground into powder; it is not a separate substance. The *Xian Jing* (Scripture of Immortals) records methods for consuming jade, such as pounding it until it resembles rice grains, then dissolving it with vinegar and similar liquids until it becomes mud-like; some also mix it into a paste. When consuming jade, one must not use already manufactured artifacts or jade rough stones from tombs.

Meng Gong stated: For ingesting jade, the best method is to dissolve it into water. If the jade powder is ground to the size of hemp seeds or soybeans for consumption, the purpose is to extract its essence to moisten the zang-fu organs, while the dregs are excreted intact. Conversely, if consumed as fine powder, it may cause strangury and obstruction. Grinding jade to the size of hemp seeds holds profound significance. The method for converting it into water is recorded in the *Huainan Thirty-Six Water Methods*.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Chen Cangqi stated: Salty, cold, non-toxic.

Li Shizhen stated: Adverse reaction with Deer Antler (Lujiao); nourishes Cinnabar (Dansha).

[Indications] Clears heat from the stomach, relieves wheezing, restlessness, and chest fullness, and stops thirst. Consuming jade powder ground to the size of hemp seeds, over a long period, lightens the body and prolongs life (*Bie Lu*). Moistens the Heart and Lungs, aids the voice and throat, and nourishes hair and follicles (Tang Dynasty - Da Ming). Nourishes the five Zang organs, alleviates irritability, and is beneficial when decocted together with Gold foil (Jinye), Silver foil (Yinye), and Ophiopogon tuber (Mendong) (Li Xun).

[Attached Prescriptions] Three new prescriptions.

Infantile Fright and Crying: 2.5 qian of White Jade (Baiyu), 0.5 liang of Cold Water Stone (Hanshuishi), ground into powder, mixed with water, and applied to the area below the heart (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Accumulation due to Pathogenic Qi, wandering pain, and unbearable epigastric pain, regardless of adult or child: Equal parts of White Jade (Baiyu) and Red Jade (Chiyu), ground into powder, bound with paste into pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 30 pills per dose, washed down with Ginger Decoction (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Facial and Body Scars: Grind real jade daily; after a long time, they will naturally disappear (*Shengji Zonglu*).

Yu Quan (Jade Spring) (From *Ben Jing*)

[Names] Yu Zha (Jade Plug) (*Ben Jing*), Yu Jiang (Jade Paste) (*Kaibao*), Qiong Jiang (Nectar).

Li Dangzhi stated: Yu Quan is also known as Yu Xie.

Tao Hongjing stated: This should be the essence of jade. The white variety has a clear and transparent texture and can be dissolved into water, hence the name "Jade Spring." Nowadays, no one truly recognizes it, and people generally treat all jade as the same.

Su Song stated: According to: Another version's annotation says: "Yu Quan" refers to the fluid secreted by jade. Those produced in the jade pools of immortal chambers are considered superior, hence also called "Yu Ye" (Jade Fluid). In current *Xian Jing* and *Thirty-Six Water Methods*, jade is converted into jade paste, called "Yu Quan," which prolongs life and prevents aging, though its efficacy is inferior to natural spring fluids.

Kou Zongshi stated: *Ben Jing* states: "Yu Quan grows in the valleys of Lantian, collected at any time." Currently, there is no jade in Lantian, and historical texts do not mention collecting spring water. Tao氏 said jade is turned into water, thus named "Yu Quan." If so, it should be called "Yu Shui" (Jade Water), not "Yu Quan," because "Quan" implies flowing and spreading. Upon detailed examination, the character "Quan" is likely a corruption of "Jiang" (Paste). Due to the passage of time, textual errors occurred. The *Daozang* contains references to "Golden Rice" and "Jade Paste," and Tang poet Li Shangyin wrote "Before drinking the nectar, it formed ice," confirming that jade was harvested to make paste. The annotations in other versions are unreliable. If taken literally, no one in the world could obtain it, making the name arbitrary.

Li Shizhen stated: Interpreting "Yu Quan" as "Yu Jiang" (Jade Paste) is very accurate. The annotations in other versions refer to Jade Marrow (Yusui), which has its own entry in *Bie Lu*; previous scholars failed to investigate deeply.

[Preparation] Qingxiazi stated: Method for making Jade Paste: One sheng of Jade Powder (Yu Xie), one sheng of Sanguisorba root (Diyu Cao), one sheng of Rice (Daomi), and two sheng of White Dew (Bailu). Boil in a copper vessel until the rice is cooked, then strain to extract the juice. The jade powder dissolves into water. Add the medicinal ingredients. This is called the "Immortal Jade Paste."

Chen Cangqi stated: Throw jade into Zhucao (Vermilion Grass) juice, and it transforms into sweet wine. Zhucao is an auspicious grass. Alchemists take Toad ointment to soften jade like mud, then dissolve it with vinegar into water.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

Li Dangzhi stated: Shennong, Qibo, and Leigong considered it sweet. Li Dangzhi considered it neutral. Aversion to Winter Flower (Kuandonghua) and Green Bamboo (Qingzhu).

[Indications] Treats diseases of the five Zang organs and hundred ailments, softens tendons and strengthens bones, calms the Hun and Po, promotes muscle growth, tonifies Qi, benefits blood vessels. Long-term consumption allows endurance of cold and heat, prevents hunger and thirst, and leads to the state of an ageless immortal. If a person consumes five jin before death, their complexion remains unchanged for three years (*Ben Jing*). Treats twelve types of leukorrhea in women, eliminates Qi stagnation and strangury, brightens eyes and ears, and long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life (*Bie Lu*). Treats blood stasis masses (Tang Dynasty - Da Ming).

[Elucidation] Shenwei stated: *Tianbao Yishi* records: Consort Yang held jade in her mouth and swallowed saliva to relieve lung thirst. Wang Mang gave Kong Xiu jade, saying: "You have blemishes on your face; beautiful jade can cover scars." Li Yu of Northern Wei obtained the method of consuming jade, went to Lantian, and excavated over a hundred pieces of jade resembling rings, bi discs, and various utensils. He pounded them into powder and ate them daily. After a year, he claimed effectiveness, but his love for alcohol damaged his willpower. When critically ill, he told his wife and children: "Consuming jade requires seclusion in the mountains and abandoning desires. I indulged in wine and lust, causing my own death. It is not the medicine's fault. My corpse will differ from others; do not bury me quickly, so future generations know the merit of consuming jade." It was mid-July, and Chang'an was extremely hot. The body remained unchanged in color and odorless after four days.

Tao Hongjing stated: Zhang Hua said: Use white jade from Lantian Valley for consumption. Regular consumption leads to immortality. Someone who consumed five jin before death remained unchanged in appearance for three years after death. Historically, corpses found in excavated tombs that appeared alive had large amounts of gold and jade inside and outside their bodies. Han dynasty regulations stipulated that kings and dukes were buried in pearl jackets and jade coffins to ensure imperishability. The method of refining and consuming involves processing jade powder appropriately. Although nature is neutral, consumers often experience fever, similar to symptoms after taking Hanshi San (Cold Food Powder). Since gold and jade are heavy treasures of heaven and earth, unlike other stones, do not use them lightly without deep understanding of dosage and regulation.

Su Song stated: *Baopuzi* says: Those who consume gold live as long as gold; those who consume jade live as long as jade. However, this path is slow; one must consume one or two hundred jin to see results. Jade can be dissolved into water using black rice wine or Sanguisorba wine, or dissolved with scallion paste, made into pills, or burned into powder. After more than a year of consumption, one becomes impervious to water, fire, blades, and poisons. Do not use manufactured artifacts, as they harm people and offer no benefit; only raw jade (Puyu) should be used. Chisongzi soaked jade in the blood of dark insects to create water for consumption, enabling him to ride clouds. Consuming jade powder with water ensures immortality. Its effect is inferior to gold because it causes frequent fevers, resembling Hanshi San symptoms. If consuming jade powder, it is advisable to take Realgar (Xionghuang) and Cinnabar (Dansha), each one Dao-gui, every ten days, wash with cold water, let hair down, walk facing the wind, to prevent fever. Dong Junchang gave blind people Jade Wine (Yu Li), curing their blindness in ten days. Li Shizhen stated: Emperor Wu of Han mixed dew from the Golden Stem with jade powder to consume, claiming it grants longevity. This is the same substance. However, jade may not prevent the living from dying, but rather preserves the dead from decay. Preserving corpses invites theft and desecration; is it not wiser to let the body decompose quickly and return to emptiness?