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(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

[Flavor and Properties] Same as Gold (Jin).

[Indications] Promotes longevity and immortality. Long-term ingestion causes the intestines to turn entirely golden (Chen Cangqi).

[Analysis] Tao Hongjing stated: Raw gold repels evil but is toxic; if ingested without refining, it kills people. Daoist texts record that by refining gold with vinegar, honey, lard, Vitex negundo (Mujing), and wine until soft, one can achieve immortality; this method can also be used to process mercury to create cinnabar. Medical prescriptions rarely use it, likely due to concerns about its toxicity. Li Sunzhi said: Raw gold is lethal, but after a hundred refinements, it becomes safe for consumption. If taken as a plaster mixed with mercury, no further refinement is needed.

Su Song stated: Gold dust (Jinxie) is not seen in ancient prescriptions, except for making gold leaf, which is very convenient for medicinal use. Furthermore, ancient formulas such as Jinshi Ling, Hongxue, and Zixue all utilized decoctions of gold and silver. These are generally refined substances, borrowing their energetic properties. Li Shizhen stated: Gold belongs to the Metal element in the West. Its nature can control Wood; therefore, it treats disorders of the Liver and Gallbladder involving fright, epilepsy, wind-heat, etc. However, it is rarely used in ancient prescriptions, appearing mainly in discussions by those practicing dietary cultivation.

The *Huainan Thirty-Six Water Methods* also describe transforming gold into a liquid for ingestion. Ge Hong in *Baopuzi* stated: Ingesting gold is no inferior to ingesting Gold Liquid (Jinye). The method involves using pig belly fat and vinegar, refining it a hundred times until soft. Alternatively, it can be treated with *Broussonetia papyrifera* bark, or dissolved using *Vitex negundo* wine and magnetite, or combined with Realgar (Xionghuang) and Orpiment (Cihuang) for ingestion, all capable of producing "Earth Immortals." It also states that cinnabar can be transformed into Holy Gold; ingesting it leads to ascension. *Mingyi Bielu* and Chen Cangqi also claimed long-term ingestion leads to immortality. This theory likely originated from alchemists during the time of Qin Shi Huang and Han Wu Di. How could they know that a flesh-and-blood body relies on water and grain for sustenance, and how could it withstand heavy, sinking mineral substances remaining in the stomach and intestines for long? Seeking life but losing it is indeed foolish. Thus, *Taiqing Fa* states: Gold inherits the Yin-Ji Qi of the Central Palace; its nature is inherently rigid, and ingestion damages muscles. Additionally, *Dongguan Miji* states: Placing gold in the nine orifices of a corpse prevents decomposition. While this seems plausible, it essentially encourages grave robbing; it would be better to let the body decompose and return to emptiness quickly.

[Attached Prescriptions] Five new prescriptions.

Wind Eye with Ulcerated Margins: Heat a gold ring red-hot, then sweep it over the upper and lower eyelid skin several times a day. Very effective. (*Jijian Fang*)

Wind Pain in Teeth: Heat a gold hairpin needle with fire and apply moxibustion/acupuncture; pain stops immediately. (*Jijian Fang*)

Corrosive Mouth Sores from Calomel: For patients with edema or sores who develop mouth ulcers and gum erosion after taking Calomel (Qingfen), frequently gargle with decoction made from gold vessels to neutralize the poison. Continue until healed. (*Waitai Miyao*)

Mercury Entering the Ear, Eroding the Brain: Place a gold pillow beside the ear; the mercury will naturally exit. (Prescription from Zhang Zhongjing)

Mercury Entering Flesh, Causing Tendon Contraction: Only ironing with gold objects works; the mercury will exude and corrode the gold. Wait until the gold turns white. Frequent application yields results. This is a prescription from Prince Xu of Northern Qi. (*Bencao Shiyi*)