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(From "Bencao Gangmu")

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: Milizi (a mineral resembling snake gall) grows in gold mines in Sichuan, Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang. It resembles Shehuang (Ore of Antimony) but has thorns, with golden threads winding around it. Its color is purple-brown, and it belongs to the same category as Wumingyi (Pyrolusite). Alchemists collect it as a raw material for refining metals and making Sanhuang (Three Yellows) medicines.

[Indications] Effective for treating metal wounds and fractures. (Li Shizhen)

(Recorded as a Superior Grade herb in "Shennong Bencao Jing")

[Names] Gongru (Public Milk, from "Mingyi Bielu"), Xuzhong (Empty Middle, from "Wu Pu Bencao"), Lushi (Reed Stone, from "Mingyi Bielu"), Eguan Shi (Goose Tube Stone, from "Bencao Gangmu"), Xiashi (Summer Stone, from "Mingyi Bielu"), Huangshisha (Yellow Stone Sand, from "Yaoxing Lun").
Li Shizhen said: The essence and qi of stones gather to form milk-like structures, which drip and solidify into stones; hence the name Shizhongru (Stone Bell Milk). "Lu" (reed) and "eguan" (goose tube) describe its hollow internal structure.

[Collected Explanations] "Mingyi Bielu" states: Shizhongru grows in the valleys of Mount Shaoshi and Mount Tai, and can be collected at any time.
Wu Pu said: It grows in shady banks in the valleys of Mount Tai, formed by dripping juices. It resembles milk, is yellowish-white, and has a hollow interior. It is collected in the second and third lunar months and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: The best quality comes from Shixing, but it is also found in stone caves of famous mountains in Jiangling and the eastern borders. Only those that are transparent through the center, thin and light like goose feather quills, breakable like fingernails, without "goose tooth" textures inside, and bright and lustrous are considered good. Some long ones measure one or two chi, are yellow in color, and turn white when washed with vinegar. Daoist classics rarely use it, whereas secular medical formulas value it highly.
Su Gong said: The best comes from Shixing, followed by those from Guang, Lian, Li, Lang, and Chen prefectures. Although dense and lustrous, they are acceptable and effective for consumption. Those from caves in Xiazhou, Qingxi, and Fangzhou are inferior to Shixing's. Those from unsuitable lands should not be taken lightly, as they may cause Lin syndrome (dysuria) and thirst. They should only be ground into powder, wrapped in white silk, soaked in wine with other herbs, and consumed. Tao Hongjing's claim of one-to-two-chi lengths is erroneous.
Sun Simiao said: Ru Shi (Milk Stones) must come from clean, bright, and lustrous lands. Varieties with patterns resembling bird feathers or cicada wings, especially white ones, are usable. Do not consume those from unsuitable lands; they kill faster than poison.
Kou Zongshi noted: Annotations state that Ru Shi growing in deep, dark caves often harbors dragons or snakes, or contains toxic vapors. Uneven yin-yang at cave entrances or ventilation can cause "goose tooth" textures. Yellow or red colors lacking moisture, or improper firing resulting in fire toxicity if water isn't changed, can cause Lin syndrome upon ingestion. There are three types: Shiru (Stone Milk) from pure stone caves, nourished by stone essence, possessing yin-yang balance and cicada-wing patterns, with a warm nature; Zhuru (Bamboo Milk) from caves full of small bamboo, nourished by bamboo essence, resembling bamboo in shape, with a neutral nature; and Rushi from Maoshan, where earth and stone mix with grass, nourished by grass essence, slightly black and slippery, with a slightly cold nature. Within each type, upper, middle, and lower grades exist, all valued for luster. Others exist but should not be trusted blindly.
Wang Bing stated: Cicada-wing texture is superior, fingernail texture is secondary, and goose-tube texture is inferior. Clear and thin varieties are suitable for use.
Su Song said: It is now found in Jianghua County of Daozhou, and mountains of Lian, Ying, Shao, Jie, and Xiazhou. It grows in shady rock caves, formed by dripping mountain fluids, with a hollow interior. Long ones are six or seven cun, resembling goose quills, white with a slight red tint. Li Buchuo's method for refining milk states: Take Shaozhou Zhongru, regardless of density, provided the color is clear and lustrous; yellow and red colors are unusable. Liu Zongyuan's letter also states: Only the beauty of color matters, not necessarily the trustworthiness of the land. Thus, the key is clarity, not strict adherence to specific origins. Current physicians consider only the hollow goose-tube variety as best. Additionally, Yin Yu recorded in "Shennong Bencao Jing" (Middle Grade): Zhongru is the root; Konggongshi is the root of Yin Yu; Shihua (Stone Flower), Shichuang (Stone Bed) are similar to Yin Yu. Shinao (Stone Brain) is also a type of Zhongru. Physicians rarely use these five types, preferring Zhongru alone.
Li Shizhen said: Fan Chengda's "Guanghai Zhi" describes this in detail. In caves connecting Guilin, Yizhou, and Rongzhou, Zhongru is abundant. Looking up at rising stone veins, one finds "milk beds," white as jade snow, formed by melting stone fluid. These hang down like inverted peaks, sharpening at the tips, long like icicles, with thin, hollow ends like goose quills. Milk drips continuously, condensing as it falls; this is the finest quality, collected using bamboo tubes held upwards. Refiners prefer the lightest, clearest ends resembling mica fingernails.

[Processing] Lei Xiao said: Do not use thick heads or large tails, which are Konggongshi. Do not use black ones, those exposed to intense fire, stored on the ground for long periods, or previously processed with drugs. Use only bright, thin, lustrous ones resembling goose quills, preferably 5-6 cun long. Processing method: Take 8 liang of Zhongru, boil with 1 liang each of Chenxiang (Agarwood), Linglingxiang (Lingnan Sweet Flag Rhizome), Huoxiang (Patchouli), Gansong (Sweet Spring Onion Bulb), and Baimao (Imperata Rhizome). Boil again to extract juice, then use this juice to boil the Zhongru for one shichen (2 hours). Remove, then boil with 2 liang each of Gancao (Licorice Root) and Zi Bei Tiankui (Omphalodes Verticillata). Remove, dry, and slowly roast. Pound into powder in a mortar, sieve, and place in a bowl. Have strong young men grind continuously for three days and nights without rest. Then clarify with water flying method, sieve through silk, sun-dry, and grind another 20,000 times. Store in porcelain boxes.
Shen Kuo cited Shen Wei: "Taiqing Jing" refining method: Place fine powder in gold or silver vessels, cover tightly with a tile to prevent gas escape, and steam until it naturally turns into liquid.
Li Buchuo's refining method is listed later.

[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, warm, non-toxic. Wu Pu recorded: Shenneng said pungent; Tongjun, Huangdi, Yi He said sweet; Bian Que said sweet, non-toxic.
Li Dangzhi said: Highly toxic.
Xu Zhicai said: Shechuangzi (Cnidium Fruit) acts as an assistant. Dislikes Mudan (Tree Peony Root Bark), Xuanshi (Magnetite), Mumeng (Astragalus). Feels threatened by Zhiyanshi (Fluorite) and Tingli (Descurainia Seed). Avoids sheep blood.
Li Shizhen said: "Xianggan Zhi" states: When taking Ru Shi, avoid Renshen (Ginseng) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala); violation often leads to death.
Tusu Zhenjun said: Zhongru originates in yang caves, condensed from yang qi, capable of softening metals. Maimendong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Dusan (Single Clove Garlic), Jiushi (Garlic Chive Seed), Hucong (Welsh Onion), Huyi (Coriander), and Mao'er Yan Cao (Euphorbia humifusa) can all counteract its effects.

[Indications] Treats cough with reverse flow of qi, brightens eyes, benefits essence, calms the five zang organs, unblocks joints, opens orifices, promotes lactation ("Shennong Bencao Jing"). Benefits qi, tonifies deficiency, treats weak/cold painful legs, exhaustion of the lower jiao, strengthens yin. Long-term use extends life, improves complexion, prevents aging, and aids fertility. Unrefined use causes Lin syndrome ("Mingyi Bielu"). Treats seminal emission with cold cough, strengthens yuan qi, enhances sexual function, clears voice (Zhen Quan). Tonifies five labors and seven injuries (Meng Shen). Supplements marrow, treats diabetes with excessive thirst (Qingxiazi).

[Elucidation] Shen Wei cited Liu Zongyuan's "Letter to Cui Lianzhou": Plants rely on soil; their nature changes based on location (mountain yin/yang, near trees or rocks). Zhongru grows directly from stone; the stone's quality varies greatly, and soil depth/stone height in caves are unknown. Thus, its nature varies. Those from dense, refined parts are clear, bright, smooth, and delicate; consuming them brings gentleness, promotes qi flow, generates stomach/intestine health, and ensures longevity. Those from coarse, low parts are turbulent, rough, varying in size, bone-dry or ash-colored, dull, and heavy; consuming them causes stagnation, generates wind/fire, irritates throat/lungs, clouds senses, causes irritability, rigid liver qi, and imbalance. Therefore, gentlemen select beautiful specimens rather than relying solely on origin, seeking the finest quality.
Zhen Xiang said: Shizhongru is a fierce medicine. "Neijing" states: Stone medicines have fierce qi. This is wise. Medicines with biased properties are for temporary use, not long-term. Stone medicines are extremely biased. Since the Tang dynasty, peace led wealthy families to believe alchemists' claims of immortality via stone medicines due to their dense nature. This custom persisted into Song and today. People suffer this fierce qi harm helplessly. While Bencao praises long-term benefits, and Liu Zongyuan praised it, I must speak out deeply.
Li Shizhen said: Shizhongru is a qi-level medicine for the Yangming channel. Its action is rapid, causing sudden surge of yang qi, increased appetite, and robust physique. Ignorant people rejoice, indulging in lust, secretly depleting essence while stone qi remains, intensifying solitary yang. Over time, ying and wei disharmony leads to Lin/thirst, abscesses. Is this the fault of Ru Shi or human error? For those with declining Yangming qi, using it with other herbs to restore decline, stopping when cured, is acceptable. Even grains/meats have biases if overused, let alone stone medicines. "Zhongshu Shu" notes: Adding small amounts of Zhongru powder to tree holes increases fruit yield/quality; adding to old roots revitalizes trees. Thus, claims of benefiting qi/fertility are plausible. However, lustful individuals may suffer before benefiting. Exceptionally constituted individuals cannot be judged uniformly. Zhang Gao's "Yi Shuo" records: General Lei Shixian took Cinnabar, Mother Stone, and Zhongru daily to satisfy desires. His father-in-law, suffering cold diarrhea, took ten pills, felt burning abdomen, went mad, jumped in a well, died with purple blisters. Yet Lei suffered no illness despite massive doses—strange! Shen Kuo's "Bitan" records: Duke Xia Ying was extravagant and constitutionally unique. He slept cold and stiff, taking Curculigo, Zhongru, and Sulfur endlessly, mixing Zhongru powder into morning porridge. A clerk stole some and died of carbuncle. Similar to those surviving lifelong Aconite use. Shen Kuo adds: Medicine requires mental insight. When taking Zhongru, avoid Arisaema (Shu), as it activates Zhongru. Like needing wind to start a small fire, but wind harms a large fire. This natural logic applies to all medicines. "Shibian Liangfang" states: For every day of Ru Shi intake, supplement for that many days. Eat bone broths (cow, sheep, muntjac, deer). Avoid grain rice, spoiled meat, and sex. After one month, essence fills, meridians flow, body feels hot, flesh rises around navel—this indicates efficacy. Sexual activity may resume moderately, not frequently, to avoid exhausting medicinal qi. Named "Ru" (Milk) because it resembles human milk. Paired with divine elixirs, distinct from common stones, thus called "Stone Milk." Proverb: Masters take the essence, fools take the dregs. Essence and dregs differ vastly in power. This view is clear, but suits only those with true Mingmen Fire Deficiency. Otherwise, careful assessment is needed.

[Attached Formulas] New eleven.
Li Buchuo's Method: Treats five labors/seven injuries, cough/reverse qi, cold cough, voice issues, eye brightness, essence benefit, zang calmness, joint unblocking, orifice opening, lactation, qi benefit, deficiency tonification, leg weakness/cold, lower jiao exhaustion, yin strengthening, longevity, fertility. Take Shaozhou Zhongru, clear/lustrous regardless of density; reject yellow/red. Place in gold/silver vessel, submerge in large pot of water. Boil until bubbling like fish eyes, replenishing water as needed. Small amount: 3 days/nights; large amount: 7 days/nights. Dry, turning yellow-white indicates completion. If unsure, boil 10 more days. Drain, rinse with clear water for half a day until water stays clear (non-toxic). Grind in porcelain bowl with jade pestle and water to consistency of thin rice wash. Grind 4-5 days until smooth as white fish in books. Wash; particles not falling off are ripe. Clarify and sun-dry. Take 1.5 qian with warm wine on empty stomach, or mix with pills/powders. Discard yellow/turbid boiling water; it damages throat/lungs, causes headache/diarrhea. Pork resolves toxicity. (Sun Simiao, "Qianjin Fang")

Zhongru Decoction: Treats wind-deficiency labor damage, weak legs/back, tonifies strength. Use 3 liang refined Zhongru powder in linen bag. Boil in 1 sheng cow's milk until reduced by one-third. Drink milk, divided into two doses, once daily. No vomiting/diarrhea; mild loose stool in cold-deficient patients is harmless. One bag boils 30 times until ineffective. Clean bag between uses. Residue mixed with flour feeds chickens; eating eggs is beneficial. (Cui Shangshu formula, Sun Simiao, "Qianjin Yifang")

Zhongru Wine: Calms zang, unblocks joints/orifices, treats wind-deficiency, tonifies lower jiao, benefits essence/eyes. 5 liang refined Zhongru powder in linen bag. Boil in 6 sheng clear wine in sealed bottle in hot water until reduced by two-thirds. Top up, seal 7 days. Drink 3 he daily. Avoid sex, scallions, fermented soybeans, raw/hard foods. ("Waitai Miyao")

Zhongru Pills: Treats male aging, impotence/cold limbs, shortness of breath/appetite loss, back pain/leg numbness, directs qi downward, aids digestion, harmonizes middle, builds muscle. 2 liang Zhongru powder, 1 liang Tusizi (soaked in wine, roasted), 1 liang Shihu, 0.5 liang Wuzhuyu (soaked in hot water 7 times, roasted). Powder, bind with refined honey into pill size of wutong seeds. Take 7 pills with warm wine or rice gruel on empty stomach, twice daily. Walk hundreds of steps after dosing; feel chest heat, then eat dry rice and bean paste. Avoid bad smells/smells of corpses. No sexual activity for first 7 days; thereafter moderate. Continue if effective. (Cao Gong Zhuo formula, "Heji Jufang")

Yuan Qi Deficiency Cold: See under Yangqishi.

All Labor Coughs, Chest/Diaphragm Fullness: Fenxiang Touge San: Equal parts Eguan Shi, Xionghuang, Foer Cao, Kuandonghua. Powder. Burn 1 qian in incense burner, blow smoke into throat via tube, twice daily. ("Xuanming Lun")

Lung Deficiency Wheezing, Continuous: Raw Zhongru powder (bright) 5 qian, Wax 3 liang (melted). Steam in rice steamer, grind into wutong seed-sized pills. Take one pill with warm water. ("Shengji Zonglu")

Hemoptysis Damaging Lung: Refined Zhongru powder 2 qian, taken with glutinous rice soup, stops immediately. ("Shibian Liangfang")

Large Intestine Cold Slippery Diarrhea: Zhongru powder 1 liang, Rou Doukou (roasted) 0.5 liang. Powder, bind with date paste into wutong seed-sized pills. Take 70 pills with rice drink on empty stomach. ("Jisheng Fang")

Blocked Lactation: Due to qi/blood deficiency and sluggish pulse. Refined Zhongru powder 2 qian, taken with concentrated Loulu decoction. Or equal parts Tongcao powder, taken with rice drink, 1 cun bi dose, three times daily. ("Waitai Miyao")

Involuntary Seminal Emission, Loose Stools, Cold Limbs.
See under Yangqishi.