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[Classified as Middle Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
**Names:** Xuan Shi (Black Stone, from *Bencao Jing*), Chu Shi (Dwelling Stone, from *Bielu*), Tie Shi (Iron Stone, from *Yanyi*), Xi Zhen Shi (Needle-Attracting Stone).
Chen Cangqi stated: Magnetite attracts iron just as a loving mother calls her children; hence its name.
Li Shizhen stated: Stones that lack magnetism cannot attract iron and are called Xuan Shi, yet *Bielu* lists Xuan Shi again later.
**Collection and Explanation:** *Bielu* states: Magnetite is produced in the valleys of Mount Tai and on the north-facing slopes of Ci Mountain; where there is iron ore, it grows on the sunny side. It can be collected at any time.
Tao Hongjing stated: Good quality magnetite is now also found in the south. It should be able to suspend and attract needles; attracting three or four needles loosely is considered excellent. It is frequently used in alchemical arts such as those in the *Xian Jing*.
Chen Cangqi stated: It is produced in the northern mountains of Xiangzhou.
Su Song stated: It is now found in Cizhou, Xuzhou, and the mountains near the South Sea. The annual tribute from Cizhou is the best; it can attract iron, suspending ten or more needles loosely, or even knives and vessels weighing one or two jin, rotating without falling off, which is especially good. It can be collected at any time. The stone has pores; the inside of the pores is yellowish-red, and fine hairs grow on the surface, which enhances its efficacy.
According to *Nanzhou Yiwu Zhi*: In the shallow waters of Zhanghai Qitou, there is much magnetite. Large foreign ships reinforced with iron sheets cannot pass through here. This indicates that the output from Hainan is particularly abundant.
Lei Xiao stated: When using it, do not mistake Xuanzhong Shi and Zhongma Shi for it. These two stones resemble magnetite but cannot attract iron. Zhongma Shi has a red core and rough skin; it is an iron mountain stone. Accidental ingestion causes malignant sores that are incurable. True magnetite that attracts one jin of iron on all four sides is called Yannian Sha; that which attracts eight liang is called Xucai Shi; that which attracts five liang is called Cishi.
Kou Zongshi stated: The hairs of magnetite are light purple, and the stone surface is quite rough; it can attract and connect needles and iron, commonly known as Tie Shi. Its Xuan Shi refers to the black variety of magnetite. Rubbing the tip of a needle with magnetite makes it point south, though it often deviates slightly eastward rather than pointing due south. The method is to take a single thread from new cotton wadding, attach a piece of wax the size of half a mustard seed to the middle of the needle, and hang it in a windless place; the needle will then consistently point south. Alternatively, thread the needle horizontally through a rush pith and float it on water; it also points south, though often towards the Bing position. This is because Bing represents Great Fire, and Geng/Xin (Metal) are controlled by it, demonstrating physical mutual induction.
Tuxu Zhenjun stated: Iron receives the Qi of the Sun. At the beginning of its formation, stones are produced. After 150 years, magnetite forms; after another 200 years, it gestates into iron.
**Processing:** Lei Xiao stated: For every jin to be processed, use one yi of Wuhua Pi, one yi of Diyu, and fifteen liang of old silk floss. Chop all three ingredients together. Pound them on a stone until broken into twenty or thirty pieces. Place the stone in a porcelain bottle, add the herbal medicines, and boil in running water from the east for three days and nights. Strain, wipe dry, wrap in cloth, pound again until fine, then grind into dust. Use water flotation (Shui Fei) to further grind before use.
Kou Zongshi stated: For medicinal use, it must be calcined by fire, quenched in vinegar, ground into powder, and subjected to water flotation. Alternatively, boil in vinegar for three days and nights.
**Flavor and Nature:** Pungent, Cold, Non-toxic.
Li Quan stated: Salty, slightly toxic.
Ma Zhi stated: Sweet, Astringent, Neutral.
Chen Cangqi stated: Warm in nature; the claim of Cold is erroneous.
Xu Zhicai stated: Chai Hu acts as its guiding herb; it neutralizes iron toxicity and dissolves metals. It is incompatible with Mudan and Mangcao, and fears Huangshizhi.
Dugu Tao stated: It can subdue Cinnabar, nourish Mercury, and remove copper rust.
**Indications:** Treats generalized Bi syndrome with Wind-Dampness, pain in limbs and joints, inability to hold objects, body ache and discomfort, excessive heat, vexation, fullness, and deafness (*Bencao Jing*).
Nourishes the Kidney, strengthens bone Qi, benefits Essence, relieves vexation, unblocks joint passages, eliminates carbuncles, scrofula, cervical masses, and sore throat, pediatric convulsions and epilepsy. Decocted in water for drinking. It also promotes fertility (*Bielu*). Tonifies Kidney deficiency and Wind deficiency in men. Strengthens the body, alleviates lumbar stiffness, and is added to formulas for these conditions (Zhen Quan). Treats emaciation of sinews and bones, tonifies Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries, blurry vision, and relieves irritability. If children accidentally swallow needles or iron, grind into fine powder, wrap in meat/flesh without breaking, and swallow together with the powder to expel it (Ma Zhi). Brightens eyes and improves hearing, stops bleeding from traumatic wounds (Li Shizhen).
**Elucidation:** Kou Zongshi stated: Nourishes Kidney Qi, fills Essence, and is used for Kidney deficiency causing deafness and blurry vision.
Chen Cangqi stated: Heavy substances dispel fearfulness; Magnetite and Iron Powder are examples.
Li Shizhen stated: Magnetite follows the properties of Water, is black in color, and enters the Kidney meridian; thus, it treats various Kidney diseases, improves hearing, and brightens the eyes. A scholar frequently suffered from eye disease, gradually developing dimness and corneal opacity. Li Shizhen prescribed modified Qianghuo Shengfeng Tang from Dongyuan, assisted by Cizhu Wan. Within two months, his condition returned to normal. Essentially, Magnetite enters the Kidney to stabilize and nourish True Essence, preventing Shen Water from dispersing externally; Cinnabar enters the Heart to stabilize and nourish Heart Blood, preventing pathogenic Fire from invading upward; assisted by Shen Qu to digest stagnant Qi, using both raw and cooked forms to warm and nourish the generating Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. This aligns with the Daoist principle of the Yellow Mother acting as a matchmaker for the Infant. Prescribers should contemplate the mysteries of creation! The formula appears in Sun Simiao’s *Qianjin Fang* as Shen Qu Wan, merely stating it brightens the eyes allowing one to read small print at age hundred, without revealing the subtle meaning of the herbs. Who says ancient formulas cannot treat modern diseases? Dugu Tao said: Magnetite is a hard and stubborn substance lacking melting Qi; it can only be taken for its Qi, and long-term consumption of the dregs will cause great harm. Medicines are for treating diseases; once the disease is cured, stop taking them. Even Arsenic can be ingested in controlled doses; why specifically forbid Magnetite? Once refined into powder, Magnetite is no longer hard and stubborn; the key lies in whether the practitioner accurately targets the pathology. *Huainan Wabi Shu* states: Hanging Magnetite in a well causes missing persons to return themselves. The annotation explains: Wrapping the deceased's clothes around Magnetite and hanging it in the well causes fugitives to return involuntarily.
**Attached Formulas:** Three old formulas, twelve new formulas.
Sudden Deafness and Ear Obstruction: Half a qian of Tie Shi inserted into the affected ear; Iron Sand powder inserted into the unaffected ear. Natural patency will occur (*Zhizhi Fang*).
Kidney Deficiency Deafness: One bean-sized piece of true Magnetite; one zi of Pangolin Scale (calcined to retain character, ground). Wrap in new cotton and insert into the ear; hold a piece of raw iron in the mouth. Patency occurs when a sound like wind and rain is felt in the ear (*Jisheng Fang*).
Elderly Deafness: One jin of Magnetite ground to powder, washed with water to remove red juice, wrapped in cotton. One pig kidney, finely chopped. Boil the stone in five jin of water until reduced to two jin, add the kidney, season with salted black beans, and eat as soup. Eating congee made with rice is also acceptable (*Yanglao Fang*).
Elderly Deficiency, Wind-Dampness, Lumbar and Limb Bi Pain: Thirty liang of Magnetite, twenty liang of White Quartzine, crushed and stored in a jar. Soak in two dou of water exposed to dew outdoors. Take this water daily to make congee. After a year, Qi and strength become robust, and the complexion resembles that of a child (*Yanglao Fang*).
Impotence: Five jin of Magnetite ground, soaked in clear wine for twenty-seven days. Take three he per dose, three times daily and once at night (*Qianjin Fang*).
Blurry Vision and Internal Cataracts: Cizhu Wan: Treats widening and gradual dispersion of Shen Water, vision dim like walking in fog/mist, seeing empty flowers, diplopia, and prolonged loss of light focus, as well as internal cataracts with pale green or pale white Shen Water. Two liang of true Magnetite (calcined and quenched in vinegar seven times), one liang of Cinnabar, three liang of Shen Qu (raw), ground to powder. Further thicken one liang of Shen Qu powder with boiled paste, add honey, and form pills the size of wheat seeds. Take twenty pills on an empty stomach with rice soup. After administration, looking down reveals nothing, while looking up reveals faint stars/moon; this indicates efficacy. Also treats Heart Fire overacting on Metal, or Water deficiency counter-controlling. For chronic, recurrent cases, continuous use prevents recurrence (Ni Weide, *Yuanji Qiwei Ji*).
Pediatric Convulsions and Epilepsy: Decoct Magnetite in water for drinking (*Shengji Lu*).
Uterine Prolapse (Yin Ting), unbearable pain: Cishi Wan: Soak Magnetite in wine, grind to powder, bind with rice paste into pills the size of wheat seeds. Take forty pills with Slippery Stone decoction before sleep. The next morning, take Cishi San, two qian with rice soup. The powder consists of half a liang of Magnetite (wine-soaked), two and a half qian of Iron Powder, and five qian of Dang Gui, ground to powder.
Rectal Prolapse: *Zhizhi Fang*: Half a liang of Magnetite, calcined and quenched in vinegar seven times, ground to powder. Take one qian with rice drink on an empty stomach. *Jianbian Fang*: Apply Magnetite powder mixed with flour paste to the fontanelle. Wash off afterwards.
Traumatic Wound with Evisceration: Reduce the intestine, then administer a mixture of three liang each of Magnetite and Slippery Stone, ground to powder. Take one fangcun bi with rice drink, twice daily (*Liu Juanzi Guiyi Fang*).
Traumatic Bleeding: Apply Magnetite powder to stop pain and bleeding (*Qianjin Fang*).
Accidental Swallowing of Needles/Iron: A date-pit sized piece of true Magnetite, drilled and threaded with string, swallowed. Pulling the string extracts it immediately (Qian Xianggong, *Qie Zhong Fang*).
Carbuncles and Heat Toxins: Apply Magnetite powder mixed with vinegar to seal the area, extracting the root immediately (*Waitai Miyao*).
Various Swellings and Toxins: Three qian of Needle-Attracting Stone, four liang of Honeysuckle Vine, eight liang of Red Lead, one jin of Sesame Oil. Boil into a plaster as usual and apply (*Qiankun Mi Yun*).
Magnetite Hairs
**Flavor and Nature:** Salty, Warm, Non-toxic.
**Indications:** Tonifies severe injuries, benefits Yang pathways, stops frequent cloudy urination, treats lumbar and foot conditions, heals sores, promotes flesh growth, promotes fertility, and is suitable for infusion in wine.
Chen Cangqi stated: *Bencao Jing* mentions the stone but not the hair; the efficacy and state of the hair and stone are distinct.