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[Collected Explanations] Listed as a Superior Grade herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica).
The *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians) states: Zi Shiy ing (Purple Fluorspar) grows in the valleys of Mount Tai, and can be harvested at any time.
Li Dangzhi says: It grows in Mount Tai or Kuaiji. It should be flat like it has been sliced by a knife, with purple color extending to the top, shaped like a Chupu (ancient gambling piece).
Tao Hongjing says: Currently, the best is that from Mount Tai, which is deep-colored, transparent, and has roots at the bottom. Next is that from Baoling Mountain, which is also good. There is also Nancheng stone, which has no roots. There is Qingmian stone, which is dark, black, bright, and transparent. There is Linyi stone, which must have an object inside resembling an eye in its belly. Wuxing stone has purple only on four sides and lacks luster. Kuaiji Zhuji stone resembles pomegranate seeds in shape and color. Previously, these were used mixed together; now only the finest from Mount Tai is collected. Daoist alchemical texts do not use it properly, but secular medical formulas value it highly.
Yu Xi says: According to the *Lingbiao Luyi*, Longzhou mountains produce much Zi Shiy ing. Its color is pale purple, texture is crystal clear, and regardless of size, it has five edges, with both ends like arrowheads. Boiled in water for drinking, it is warm and non-toxic. Compared to Bai Shiy ing (White Fluorspar) in the North and Central Plains, its efficacy is doubled.
Kou Zongsuo says: Zi Shiy ing is clear like quartz (water essence), but the purple color is uneven.
Li Shizhen says: According to the *Taiping Yulan*, Zi Shiy ing exists from Da Xian to Mount Tai. The output from Mount Tai is very magnificent. That from Yangshan County in Pingshi has a deep color and is particularly good. That from Beilong Mountain in Wucheng County is very bright but small and black. That from Bao Mountain in Dongguan County was formerly offered as tribute. Fan Mountain in Jiangxia also produces it. The small hill in Gutao Village, Yongjia produces it with good sharp edges, but the color is slightly thin.

[Processing] Li Shizhen says: Whenever used in pills or powders, calcine it over fire, quench it in vinegar seven times, grind into powder, process by water flotation, dry, and then use in medicine.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, warm, non-toxic. The *Mingyi Bielu* states: Pungent.
Li Dangzhi says: Shennong and Bian Que: Sweet, neutral; Li Dangzhi: Greatly cold; Lei Gong: Greatly warm; Qibo: Sweet, non-toxic.
Xu Zhicai says: Chang Shi (Long Stone) is its guiding herb (shi). It fears Pian Qing and Fuzi. It dislikes Gui Jia (Turtle Shell), Huanglian, and Maijujiang. When combined with Fuling and Renshen, it treats knotting qi in the heart; when combined with Tianxiong and Changpu, it treats Huoluan (cholera-like disease).
Li Shizhen says: For those who experience alternating chills and fever after taking Zi Shiy ing, drinking wine is beneficial.

[Indications] Treats rebellious cough and evil qi in the heart and abdomen, supplements deficiencies, treats wind-cold in the uterus of women causing infertility for ten years. Long-term use warms the middle, lightens the body, and prolongs life (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Treats upward qi, heart and abdominal pain, knotting qi of cold-heat evil qi, supplements deficiency of heart qi, calms palpitations, stabilizes the soul. Fills the lower jiao, stops thirst, removes chronic cold in the stomach. Disperses carbuncles and swelling, makes one look radiant (*Mingyi Bielu*).
Nourishes lung qi, treats epilepsy and convulsions, erodes pus (Zhen Quan).

[Elucidation] Hao Gu says: Zi Shiy ing enters the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian.
Zhen Quan says: For those who are deficient and suffer from unsettled palpitations, it is suitable to add this. Women who take it will conceive.
Su Song says: The *Rushi Lun* (Discussion on Milk Stones) does not mention taking Zi Shi alone. It is only used in Wushi San (Five Minerals Powder). The *Zhang Wenzhong Beijifang* has a method for calming the heart by taking Zi Shi boiled in water alone.
Hu Qia and the *Qianjin Fang* often mix it with other herbs. In current formulas treating women's diseases and heart diseases, it is occasionally used.
Li Shizhen says: Zi Shiy ing is a blood-level herb for the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. Upward, it calms the heart using its heavy nature to dispel fear; downward, it benefits the liver using its moistening nature to dispel dryness. The heart generates blood, and the liver stores blood. Its nature is warm and tonifying, so it is suitable for unsettled heart spirit, insufficient liver blood, and women with empty-cold in the Blood Sea causing infertility. The *Mingyi Bielu*'s claim that it supplements heart qi, and Zhen Quan's claim that it nourishes the lungs, confuse the distinctions between qi, yang, blood, yin, ying, and wei. Only the conditions described in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* truly understand this principle.

[Attached Formulas] Old Formula 3: Deficiency consumption with palpitations, tonifies deficiency, stops convulsions, enables eating: Zi Shiy ing 5 liang, crushed to bean size, washed once with water, boiled in 1 dou of water until reduced to 2 sheng, taken slowly, or cooked with porridge; if water runs out, boil again. (Zhang Wenzhong Formula)
Wind-heat convulsions: Fengyin Tang: Treats wind-heat convulsions and epileptic convulsions. Zi Shiy ing, Chishi Zhi, Baishi Zhi, Hanshui Shi, Shigao, Ganjiang, Dahuang, Longchi, Guizhi, Muli, Gancao, Huashi in equal parts. Coarsely crush. Boil in 1 sheng of water until reduced by one-third, take warm after meals. No case fails.
(From Zhang Zhongjing's *Jingui Yaolue*) Carbuncle swelling and toxic gases: Calcine Zi Shiy ing and quench in vinegar, grind to powder. Apply decoction of fresh ginger and rice vinegar, or rub it on.
(From *Rihuabencao*)