（《纲目》）
【集解】时珍曰∶按∶《雷书》云∶凡《雷书》木石，谓木札，入二、三分，青黄色。
或云∶雄黄、青黛、丹砂合成，以雷楔书之。或云∶蓬莱山石脂所书。雷州每雷雨大作，
飞下如沙石，大者如块，小者如指，坚硬如石，黑色光艳至重。刘恂《岭表录异》云∶雷州
骤雨后，人于野中得石如 石，谓之雷公墨，扣之铮然，光莹可爱。又李肇《国史补》云∶
雷州多雷，秋则伏蛰，状如人，掘取食之。观此，则雷果有物矣。
【主治】小儿惊痫邪魅诸病，以桃符汤磨服即安（时珍）。
卤石类二十种，附录二十七种
（宋《嘉 》）
【校正】志曰∶元在米部，今移入此。时珍曰∶并入《本经》大盐。
【释名】鹾（音 ）。
时珍曰∶盐字，象器中煎卤之形。《礼记》∶盐，曰咸鹾。《尔雅》云∶天生曰卤，人生
曰盐。许慎《说文》云∶盐，咸也。东方谓之斥，西方谓之卤，河东谓之咸。黄帝之臣宿沙
氏，初煮海水为盐。《本经》大盐，即今解池颗盐也。《别录》重出食盐，今并为一。方士呼
盐为海砂。
【集解】《别录》曰∶大盐出邯郸及河东池泽。恭曰∶大盐，即河东印盐也，人之常食
者，形粗于食盐。
弘景曰∶有东海盐、北海盐、南海盐、河东盐池、梁益盐井、西羌山盐、胡中树盐，色
类不同，以河东者为胜。东海盐官盐白草粒细，北海盐黄草粒粗。以作鱼 及咸菹，乃言北
胜，而藏茧必用盐官者。蜀中盐小淡，广州盐咸苦，不知其为疗体复有优劣否？
藏器曰∶四海之内何外无之，惟西南诸夷稍少，人皆烧竹及木盐当之。
颂曰∶并州末盐，乃刮碱煎炼者，不甚佳，所谓卤碱是也。大盐生河东池泽，粗于末盐，
即今解盐也。解州安邑两池取盐、于池旁耕地，沃以池水，每得南风急，则宿夕成盐满畦，
彼人谓之种盐，最为精好。东海、北海、南海盐者，今沧、密、楚、秀、温、台、明、泉、
福、广、琼、化诸州，煮海水作之，谓之泽盐，医方谓之海盐。海边掘坑，上布竹木，覆以
蓬茅，积沙于上。每潮汐冲沙，则卤碱淋于坑中。水退则以火炬照之，卤气冲火皆灭。因取
海卤贮盘中煎之，顷刻而就。其煮盐之器，汉谓之牢盆，今或鼓铁为之，南海人编竹为之，
上下周以蜃灰，横丈深尺，平底，置于灶背，谓之盐盘。梁益盐井者，今归州及四川诸郡皆
有盐井，汲其水以煎作盐，如煮海法。又滨州有土盐，煎炼草土而成，其色最粗黑，不堪入
药。通、泰、海州并有停户刮碱煎盐输官，如并州末盐之类，而味更优，以供给江湖，极为
饶衍。
时珍曰∶盐品甚多∶海盐取海卤煎炼而成，今辽冀、山东、两淮、闽浙、广南所出是
也。井盐取井卤煎炼而成，今四川、云南所出是也。池盐出河东安邑、西夏灵州，今惟解州
种之。疏卤地为畦陇，而堑围之。引清水注入，久则色赤。待夏秋南风大起，则一夜结成，
谓之盐南风。如南风不起，则盐失利。亦忌浊水淤淀盐脉也。海丰、深州者，亦引海水入池
晒成。并州、河北所出，皆碱盐也，刮取碱土，煎炼而成。阶、成、凤州所出，皆崖盐也，
生于土崖之间，状如白矾，亦名生盐。此五种皆食盐也，上供国课，下济民用。海盐、井盐
、碱盐三者出于人，池盐、崖盐二者出于天。《周礼》云∶盐人掌盐之政令。祭祀供其苦盐、
散盐；宾客供其形盐；王之膳羞，供其饴盐。苦盐，即颗盐也，出于池，其盐为颗，未炼治，
其味咸苦。散盐，即末盐，出于海及井，并煮碱而成者，其盐皆散末也。形盐，即印盐，或
以盐刻作虎形也；或云积卤所结，其形如虎也。饴盐，以饴拌成者；或云生于戎地，味甜而
美也。此外又有崖盐生于山崖，戎盐生于土中，伞子盐生于井，石盐生于石，木盐生于树，
蓬盐生于草。造化生物之妙，诚难殚知也。
【修治】时珍曰∶凡盐，人多以矾、硝、灰、石之类杂之。入药须以水化，澄去脚滓，
煎炼白色，乃良。
大盐
【气味】甘、咸，寒，无毒。
《别录》曰∶食盐∶咸，温，无毒。多食伤肺，喜咳。
权曰∶有小毒。
时珍曰∶咸、微辛，寒，无毒。
保升曰∶多食令人失色肤黑，损筋力。
之才曰∶漏芦为之使。
曰∶敝箅淡卤，乌贼骨亦淡卤。
【主治】肠胃结热喘逆，胸中病，令人吐（《本经》）。伤寒寒热，吐胸中痰癖，止心腹
猝痛，杀鬼蛊邪疰毒瓦斯，下部 疮，坚肌骨（《别录》）。除风邪，吐下恶物，杀虫，去皮肤
风毒，调和脏腑，消宿物，令人壮健（藏器）。助水脏，及霍乱心痛，金疮，明目，止风泪
邪气，一切虫伤疮肿火灼疮，长肉补皮肤，通大小便，疗疝气，滋五味（大明）。空心揩齿，
吐水洗目，夜见小字（甄权）。解毒，凉血润燥，定痛止痒，吐一切时气风热、痰饮关格诸
病（时珍）。
【发明】弘景曰∶五味之中，惟此不可缺。西北方人食不耐咸，而多寿少病好颜色；东
南方人食绝欲咸，而少寿多病，便是损人伤肺之效。然以浸鱼肉，则能经久不败；以沾布帛，
则易致朽烂，所施各有所宜也。
宗 曰∶《素问》云∶咸走血。故东方食鱼盐之人多黑色，走血之验可知。病喘嗽人及
水肿者，宜全禁之。北狄用以淹尸，取其不坏也。其烧剥金银熔汁作药，仍须解州大盐为佳。
时珍曰∶《洪范》∶水曰润下作咸。《素问》曰∶水生咸。此盐之根源也。夫水周流于天
地之间，润下之性无所不在，其味作咸凝结为盐亦无所不在。在人则血脉应之。盐之气味咸
腥，人之血亦咸腥。咸走血，血病无多食咸，多食则脉凝泣而变色，从其类也。煎盐者用皂
角收之，故盐之味微辛。辛走肺，咸走肾。喘嗽水肿消渴者，盐为大忌。或引痰吐，或泣血
脉，或助水邪故也。然盐为百病之主，百病无不用之。故服补肾药用盐汤者，咸归肾，引药
气入本脏也。
补心药用炒盐者，心苦虚，以咸补之也。补脾药用炒盐者，虚则补其母，脾乃心之子也。
治积聚结核用之者，咸能软坚也。诸痈疽眼目及血病用之者，咸走血也。诸风热病用之
者，寒胜热也。大小便病用之者，咸能润下也。骨病齿病用之者，肾主骨，咸入骨也。吐药
用之者，咸引水聚也。能收豆腐与此同义。诸蛊及虫伤用之者，取其解毒也。
颂曰∶唐柳柳州纂《救三死方》云∶元和十一年十月，得霍乱，上不可吐，下不可利，
出冷汗三大斗许，气即绝。河南房伟传此方，入口即吐，绝气复通。其法用盐一大匙，熬令
黄，童子小便一升，合和温服，少顷吐下，即愈也。
【附方】旧四十二，新二十七。
炼盐黑丸∶崔中丞炼盐黑丸方∶盐末一升（纳粗瓷瓶中，实筑泥头。初以糖火烧，渐渐
加炭火，勿令瓶破，候赤彻，盐如水汁，即去火，待凝，破瓶取出），豉一升（熬煎），桃仁
一两（和麸炒熟），巴豆二两（去心膜，纸中炒令油出，须生熟得所，熟即少力，生又损人）。
四物捣匀，入蜜和丸梧子大。每服三丸，平旦时服。天行时气，豉汁及茶下；心痛，酒下，
入口便止；血痢，饮下，初变水痢，后便止；鬼疟，茶饮下；骨蒸，蜜汤下。忌久冷浆水。
合药久则稍加之。凡服药后吐利，勿怪。吐利若多，服黄连汁止之。或遇杀药人药久不动者，
更服一、两丸。药后忌口二、三日。其药腊月合之，瓷瓶密封，勿令泄气。一剂可救百人。
或在道途，或在村落，无药可求，但用此药一刀圭，即敌大黄、朴硝数两，曾用有效。小儿、
女子不可服，被搅作也。（刘禹锡《传信方》）
猝中尸遁，其状腹胀气急冲心，或块起，或牵腰脊者是。服盐汤取吐。（孙真人方）尸
疰鬼疰∶下部蚀疮∶炒盐布裹，坐熨之。（《药性论》）
鬼击中恶∶盐一盏，水二盏，和服，以冷水 之，即苏。（《救急方》）
中恶心痛，或连腰脐∶盐如鸡子大，青布裹，烧赤，纳酒中，顿服。当吐恶物，愈。（甄
权《药性论》）
中风腹痛∶盐半斤，熬水干，着口中，饮热汤二升，得吐愈。（《肘后方》）
脱阳虚证∶四肢厥冷，不省人事，或小腹紧痛，冷汗气喘。炒盐熨脐下气海，取暖。（《救
急方》）
心腹胀坚，痛闷欲死∶盐五合，水一升，煎服。吐下即定，不吐更服。（《梅师方》）
腹胀气满∶黑盐，酒服六铢。（《后魏书》）
酒肉过多，胀满不快∶用盐花搽牙，温水漱下二、三次，即如汤沃雪也。（《简便方》）
干霍乱病，上不得吐，下不得利∶方见发明。
霍乱腹痛∶炒盐一包，熨其心腹，令气透，又以一包熨其背。（《救急方》）
霍乱转筋∶欲死气绝，腹有暖气者。以盐填脐中，灸盐上七壮，即苏。（《救急方》）
肝虚转筋∶肝脏气虚，风冷抟于筋，遍体转筋，入腹不可忍。热汤三斗，入盐半斤，稍
热渍之。（《圣惠方》）
一切香港脚∶盐三升，蒸热分裹，近壁，以脚踏之，令脚心热。又和槐白皮蒸之，尤良。
夜夜用之。（《食疗本草》）
香港脚疼痛∶每夜用盐擦腿膝至足甲，淹少时，以热汤泡洗。有一人病此，曾用验。（《救
急方》）
胸中痰饮∶伤寒热病疟疾须吐者，并以盐汤吐之。（《外台秘要》）
病后胁胀∶天行病后，两胁胀满，熬盐熨之。（《外台秘要方》）
妊娠心痛不可忍∶盐烧赤，酒服一撮。（《产宝》）
妊妇逆生∶盐摩产妇腹，并涂儿足底，仍急爪搔之。（《千金方》）
妇人阴痛∶青布裹盐，熨之。（《药性论》）
小儿疝气，并内吊肾气∶以葛袋盛盐，于户口悬之，父母用手捻抖尽即愈。（《日华子
本草》）
小儿不尿∶安盐于脐中，以艾灸之。（《药性论》）
小便不通∶湿纸包白盐，烧过，吹少许入尿孔中，立通。（《普济方》）
气淋脐痛∶盐和醋服之。（《广利方》）
二便不通∶盐和苦酒敷脐中，干即易。仍以盐汁灌肛内；并内用纸裹盐投水中饮之。（《家
藏方》）
漏精白浊∶雪白盐一两（并筑紧固济， 一日，出火毒），白茯苓、山药各一两。为末，
枣肉和蜜丸梧子大。每枣汤下三十丸。盖甘以济咸，脾肾两得也。（《直指方》）
下痢肛痛不可忍者∶熬盐包坐熨之。（《肘后方》）
血痢不止∶白盐，纸包烧研，调粥吃，三、四次即止也。（《救急方》）
中蛊吐血，或下血如肝∶盐一升，苦酒一升，煎化顿服，得吐即愈。乃支太医方也。（《小
品方》）
金疮血出甚多，若血冷则杀人。宜炒盐三撮，酒调服之。（《梅师方》）
金疮中风∶煎盐令热，以匙抄，沥却水，热泻疮上。冷更着，一日勿住，取瘥，大效。
（《肘后方》）
小儿撮口∶盐豉捣贴脐上，灸之。（《子母秘录》）
病笑不休∶沧盐 赤，研入河水煎沸，啜之，探吐热痰数升，即愈。《素问》曰∶神有
余，笑不休。神，心火也。火得风则焰，笑之象也。一妇病此半年，张子和用此方，遂愈。
（《儒门事亲》）
饮酒不醉∶凡饮酒，先食盐一匕，则后饮必倍。（《肘后方》）
明目坚齿去翳，大利老眼∶海盐，以百沸汤泡散，清汁于银石器内，熬取雪白盐花，新
瓦器盛。每早揩牙漱水，以大指甲点水洗目，闭坐良久，乃洗面。名洞视千里法，极神妙。
（《永类钤方》）
风热牙痛∶槐枝煎浓汤二碗，入盐一斤，煮干炒研，日用揩牙，以水洗目。（唐瑶《经
验方》）
齿 齿动∶盐半两，皂荚两挺，同烧赤，研。夜夜揩齿，一月后并瘥，其齿牢固。（《食
疗本草》）
齿龈宣露∶每旦噙盐，热水含百遍。五日后齿即牢。（《千金方》）
齿疼出血∶每夜盐末浓封龈上，有汁沥尽乃卧。其汁出时，叩齿勿住。不过十夜，疼血
皆止。忌猪、鱼、油菜等。极验。（《肘后方》）
喉中生肉∶绵裹箸头，拄盐揩之，日五、六度。（孙真人方）
帝钟喉风，垂长半寸∶ 食盐，频点之，即消。（《圣惠方》）
风病耳鸣∶盐五升蒸热，以耳枕之，冷复易之。（《肘后方》）
耳猝疼痛∶方同上。
目中泪出∶盐点目中，冷水洗数次，瘥。（《范汪方》）
目中浮翳遮睛∶白盐生研少许，频点屡效，小儿亦宜。（《直指方》）
小儿目翳或来或去，渐大侵睛。雪白盐少许，灯心蘸点，日三、五次。不痛不碍，屡用
有效。（《活幼口议》）
尘物眯目∶以少盐并豉置水中，视之立出。（孙真人方）
酒 赤鼻∶白盐常擦之，妙。（《直指方》）
口鼻急疳，蚀烂腐臭∶斗子盐、白面等分。为末。每以吹之。（《普济方》）
面上恶疮五色者∶盐汤浸绵拓疮上，五、六度即瘥。（《药性论》）
体如虫行，风热也∶盐一斗，水一石，煎汤浴之，三、四次。亦疗一切风气。（《外台
秘要》）
疮癣痛痒初生者∶嚼盐频擦之，妙。（《千金翼》）
手足心毒，风气毒肿∶盐末、椒末等分。酢和，敷之，立瘥。（《肘后方》）
(From "Bencao Gangmu")
[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: According to the "Lei Shu": All wood and stones mentioned in the "Lei Shu" refer to wooden tablets, with a dosage of two to three fen (a traditional unit of weight), appearing greenish-yellow.
Some say it is made by mixing Realgar (Xionghuang, 雄黄), Indigo Naturalis (Qingdai, 青黛), and Cinnabar (Dansha, 丹砂), written with a thunder wedge. Others say it is written with the clay from Penglai Mountain. In Leizhou, whenever heavy thunderstorms occur, objects fall like sand and stones, large ones like blocks, small ones like fingers, hard as stone, black with lustrous brilliance, and extremely heavy. Liu Xun in "Lingbiao Luyi" says: After sudden rainstorms in Leizhou, people find stones in the fields called "Thunder God Ink" (Leigong Mo, 雷公墨); striking them produces a clear sound, and they are lustrous and lovely. Furthermore, Li Zhao's "Guoshi Bu" records: Leizhou has many thunderstorms; in autumn, they lie dormant, resembling humans, and can be dug up and eaten. Observing this, it is evident that there is indeed a physical substance associated with thunder.
[Indications] For pediatric convulsions and various diseases caused by evil influences, grinding with Tao Fu Tang (Peach Talisman Decoction) and taking it will bring relief (Li Shizhen).
Twenty types of Halite minerals, with twenty-seven supplementary types appended.
(From Song Dynasty "Jiayou Bencao")
[Correction] Su Song stated: Originally located in the Grain Section, now moved here. Li Shizhen stated: Merged with Da Yan (Large Salt) from "Shennong Bencao Jing".
[Names] Cuo (Cuó, 鹾).
Li Shizhen said: The character "Yan" (Salt, 盐) is an ideogram depicting the shape of boiling brine in a vessel. "Liji" states: Salt is called Xian Cuo (Salty Brine, 咸鹾). "Erya" states: Naturally occurring is Lu (Brine, 卤), artificially produced is Yan (Salt, 盐). Xu Shen's "Shuowen Jiezi" states: Yan is salty. In the East it is called Chi (Saltpan, 斥), in the West it is called Lu (Brine, 卤), and in Hedong it is called Xian (Salty, 咸). Su Sha Shi, a minister of the Yellow Emperor, was the first to boil seawater to make salt. Da Yan (Large Salt) in "Shennong Bencao Jing" refers to today's Jiechi granular salt. "Mingyi Bie Lu" redundantly lists Shi Yan (Edible Salt, 食盐), which is now merged into one. Alchemists call salt Hai Sha (Sea Sand, 海砂).
[Collected Explanations] "Mingyi Bie Lu" states: Da Yan (Large Salt) is produced in Handan and the pools and marshes of Hedong. Su Gong said: Da Yan is the Yin Yan (Seal Salt, 印盐) of Hedong, which is commonly eaten by people, and its texture is coarser than Shi Yan (Edible Salt, 食盐).
Tao Hongjing said: There are Donghai Salt (East Sea Salt, 东海盐), Beihai Salt (North Sea Salt, 北海盐), Nanhait Salt (South Sea Salt, 南海盐), Hedong Salt Pool, Liang-Yi Salt Wells, Western Qiang Mountain Salt, and Hu Tree Salt, varying in color and type, with Hedong being superior. Donghai Guanyan (Official Salt, 官盐) has fine white grass grains, while Beihai Salt has coarse yellow grass grains. For pickling fish and sour vegetables, Northern salt is considered superior, but preserving silkworm cocoons requires Guanyan. Salt from Shu is small and bland, while salt from Guangzhou is salty and bitter; it is unknown if their therapeutic qualities differ.
Chen Cangqi said: Where within the four seas is salt absent? Only in the southwestern barbarian regions is it slightly scarce, where people burn bamboo and trees to substitute for salt.
Su Song said: Bingzhou powdered salt is made by scraping alkaline soil and refining it; it is not very good, known as Lu Jian (Alkaline Brine, 卤碱). Da Yan grows in the Hedong pools and marshes, coarser than powdered salt, which is today's Jie Salt. Taking salt from the two pools in Anxi, Jiezhou, farmers plow the land beside the pool, irrigate with pool water, and when strong south winds blow, salt forms overnight filling the ridges, locally called "planting salt," which is the finest. Donghai, Beihai, and Nanhait salts are produced today in Cang, Mi, Chu, Xiu, Wen, Tai, Ming, Quan, Fu, Guang, Qiong, and Hua prefectures by boiling seawater, called Ze Yan (Marsh Salt, 泽盐), or Hai Yan (Sea Salt, 海盐) in medical formulas. Holes are dug by the sea, lined with bamboo and wood, covered with thatch, and piled with sand. When tides wash the sand, brine drips into the hole. When the water recedes, torches are used to illuminate it; the brine vapor extinguishes the fire. The sea brine is then taken and stored in plates for boiling, completing instantly. The vessels for boiling salt were called Lao Pen (Solid Basin, 牢盆) in the Han Dynasty; now some use iron drums, while people in the South Sea weave bamboo, coating the top and bottom with shell ash, one zhang wide, one chi deep, flat-bottomed, placed behind the stove, called Yan Pan (Salt Pan, 盐盘). Liang-Yi salt wells exist today in Guizhou and various commanderies in Sichuan, where water is drawn and boiled into salt, similar to boiling seawater. There is also Binzhou earth salt, refined from grass and earth, which is the coarsest and blackest, unsuitable for medicine. Tong, Tai, and Haizhou have households who scrape alkaline soil to refine salt for the government, similar to Bingzhou powdered salt but with better taste, supplied to the Jianghu region, extremely abundant.
Li Shizhen said: There are many types of salt: Hai Yan (Sea Salt, 海盐) is made by refining sea brine, produced in Liaoyuan, Hebei, Shandong, Lianghuai, Minzhe, and Guangnan. Jing Yan (Well Salt, 井盐) is made by refining well brine, produced in Sichuan and Yunnan. Chi Yan (Pool Salt, 池盐) comes from Anxi in Hedong and Lingzhou in Western Xia; today only grown in Jiezhou. Loose saline land is formed into ridges and surrounded by ditches. Clear water is introduced, turning red over time. When strong south winds rise in summer and autumn, it crystallizes overnight, called "Salt South Wind" (Yan Nan Feng, 盐南风). If south winds do not rise, salt production fails. It also fears turbid water silt blocking the salt veins. Haifeng and Shenzhou also introduce seawater into pools to dry into salt. Salt from Bingzhou and Hebei are all alkali salts, scraped from alkaline soil and refined. Jie, Cheng, and Fengzhou produce Ya Yan (Cliff Salt, 崖盐), growing between earthen cliffs, resembling alum, also called Sheng Yan (Raw Salt, 生盐). These five types are edible salts, supplying national taxes and civilian use. Hai Yan, Jing Yan, and Alkali Salt are man-made; Chi Yan and Ya Yan are natural. "Zhou Li" states: The Yan Ren (Salt Official) manages salt policies. Sacrifices supply Ku Yan (Bitter Salt, 苦盐) and San Yan (Scattered Salt, 散盐); guests receive Xing Yan (Shape Salt, 形盐); the King's diet receives Yi Yan (Malt Salt, 饴盐). Ku Yan is granular salt from pools, unrefined, tasting salty and bitter. San Yan is powdered salt from seas and wells, boiled from alkali, appearing as scattered powder. Xing Yan is seal salt, either carved into tiger shapes or accumulated brine crystals resembling tigers. Yi Yan is mixed with malt; or said to grow in barbarian lands, sweet and delicious. Additionally, there is Ya Yan growing on cliffs, Rong Yan growing in soil, Umbrella Salt growing in wells, Stone Salt growing in rocks, Wood Salt growing in trees, and Peng Salt growing in grass. The wonder of creation producing these things is truly inexhaustible.
[Processing] Li Shizhen said: People often adulterate salt with alum, saltpeter, ash, and stones. For medicinal use, it must be dissolved in water, clarified to remove sediment, and boiled until white, which is good quality.
Da Yan (Large Salt)
[Aroma and Flavor] Sweet, Salty, Cold, Non-toxic.
"Mingyi Bie Lu" states: Shi Yan (Edible Salt, 食盐): Salty, Warm, Non-toxic. Excessive consumption damages the Lung, causing coughing.
Li Quan said: Slightly toxic.
Li Shizhen said: Salty, slightly pungent, Cold, Non-toxic.
Bao Sheng said: Excessive consumption causes dark complexion and skin, damaging sinews and strength.
Xu Zhicai said: Radix Euphorbiae Humifusae (Loulu, 漏芦) acts as an assistant drug.
Someone said: Weak brine from broken mats, and Cuttlebone (Wuzhigu, 乌贼骨) are also weak brine.
[Indications] Accumulated heat in the stomach and intestines causing wheezing and counterflow, chest pathology, inducing vomiting ("Shennong Bencao Jing"). Exterior cold-heat patterns of Shanghan (Cold Damage, 伤寒), vomiting phlegm-rheum from the chest, stopping sudden heart and abdominal pain, killing ghost-gu and evil pestilence toxins, treating lower body sores, strengthening muscles and bones ("Mingyi Bie Lu"). Dispelling wind-pathogens, vomiting and purging foul substances, killing parasites, removing wind-toxins from the skin, harmonizing Zang-Fu organs, eliminating retained food, promoting robust health (Chen Cangqi). Assisting the Water Zang (Kidney, 肾), treating Huoluan (Acute Vomiting and Diarrhea, 霍乱) and heart pain, Jin Chuang (Metal Wounds, 金疮), brightening eyes, stopping wind-tearing and evil qi, treating all insect-bitten sores, burns, promoting flesh growth and skin repair, unblocking bowel and bladder movements, treating hernia, nourishing the Five Flavors (Su Song). Brushing teeth when empty-stomached, washing eyes with vomit-water, enabling night vision of small characters (Zhen Quan). Detoxifying, cooling blood, moistening dryness, relieving pain and itching, vomiting all seasonal wind-heat, phlegm-fluid retention, and obstruction diseases (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Tao Hongjing said: Among the Five Flavors, this one is indispensable. People in the Northwest tolerate saltiness less yet live longer, get sick less, and have good complexions; people in the Southeast consume little salt yet live shorter, get sick more, demonstrating the harm to the body and lungs. However, soaking fish and meat in it preserves them indefinitely; dipping cloth and silk in it leads to rot; each application has its suitability.
Kou Zongshi said: "Suwen" states: Salty enters Blood. Thus, people in the East eating fish and salt often have dark skin, verifying the entry into Blood. Patients with wheezing-cough and edema should completely avoid it. Northern Di people use it to embalm corpses to prevent decay. For burning and peeling gold/silver to make medicinal melts, Da Yan from Jiezhou is best.
Li Shizhen said: "Hongfan" states: Water moistens downward, creating saltiness. "Suwen" states: Water generates saltiness. This is the root of salt. Water circulates heaven and earth; its nature of moistening downward is everywhere; its salty taste condensing into salt is everywhere. In humans, it corresponds to blood vessels. Salt smells salty and fishy; human blood is also salty and fishy. Salty enters Blood; blood diseases should avoid excessive salt, as too much causes blood vessels to stagnate and change color, following its kind. Boiling salt uses Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit (Zaojiao, 皂角) to collect it, hence the slight pungency. Pungent enters Lung, Salty enters Kidney. Wheezing, coughing, edema, and Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst, 消渴) patients must strictly avoid salt. It may induce phlegm vomiting, cause bloody tears, or assist water pathogens. Yet salt is the master of hundred diseases, used in all. Therefore, using salt broth to administer kidney-tonifying drugs works because salty enters the Kidney, guiding drug qi into the original Zang.
Using fried salt for heart-tonifying drugs: Heart suffers deficiency, supplemented by salty. Using fried salt for spleen-tonifying drugs: Deficiency tonifies its mother; Spleen is the child of Heart. Using it for accumulations and nodules: Salty softens hardness. Using it for carbuncles, eye diseases, and blood disorders: Salty enters Blood. Using it for wind-heat diseases: Cold overcomes Heat. Using it for bowel/bladder disorders: Salty moistens downward. Using it for bone/teeth diseases: Kidney governs bones, salty enters bones. Using it as emetics: Salty gathers water. This is the same principle as curdling tofu. Using it for gu-poison and insect bites: To detoxify.
Su Song said: Liu Zongyuan of Tang compiled "Jiu San Si Fang" (Three Deaths Rescue Formula): In the 10th year of Yuanhe, October, he suffered Huoluan (Acute Vomiting and Diarrhea, 霍乱), unable to vomit above or purge below, sweating three dou of cold sweat, breath ceased. Fang Wei from Henan transmitted this formula; upon ingestion, vomiting occurred, breath resumed. Method: One large spoonful of salt, fried until yellow, mixed with one sheng of urine from a young boy, taken warm. Soon after, vomiting and purging occur, leading to recovery.
[Attached Formulas] Forty-two old, twenty-seven new.
Refined Salt Black Pill: Cui Zhongcheng's Refined Salt Black Pill Formula: One sheng of salt powder (placed in a coarse porcelain bottle, packed tight with mud sealing the lid. Initially heated with sugar fire, gradually adding charcoal fire, ensuring the bottle does not break, until red-hot and salt melts like liquid, then remove fire, wait to solidify, break bottle to retrieve), One sheng of fermented soybeans (cooked), One liang of Peach Kernel (He Fu, stir-fried with bran until cooked), Two liang of Croton Seed (Ba Dou, 巴豆) (remove heart membrane, stir-fry in paper until oil emerges; must be balanced raw/cooked, too cooked reduces efficacy, too raw harms people). Pound four ingredients evenly, mix with honey into pills the size of梧子 (Wu Zi, 梧子 - seed of Chinese parasol tree). Take three pills at dawn. For epidemic seasonal qi, take with fermented soybean juice and tea; for heart pain, take with wine, stops immediately upon entry; for bloody dysentery, take with water, initially turns to watery dysentery, then stops; for ghost malaria, take with tea; for bone-steaming fever, take with honey water. Avoid old cold grain water. Add slightly if storing long. Do not be surprised by vomiting/diarrhea after taking; if excessive, take Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis (Huanglian, 黄连) juice to stop. If poisoned or drug ineffective, take one or two more pills. Fasting for two to three days after medication. Prepare in December, seal tightly in porcelain, prevent gas leakage. One dose can save a hundred people. Whether on road or in village, if no other medicine is available, using just one Dao Gui (a tiny measure) of this pill equals several liang of Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄) or Mirabilite (Puxiao, 朴硝), proven effective. Not for children or women, fear of agitation. (Liu Yuxi "Chuanxin Fang")
Sudden collapse resembling death, characterized by abdominal distension, urgent Qi rushing to heart, masses rising, or pulling waist/spine. Take salt broth to induce vomiting. (Sun Simiao's Formula) Corpse Pestilence/Ghost Pestilence: Lower body erosive sores: Wrap fried salt in cloth, sit on it to apply heat. ("Yaoping Lun")
Ghost Strike/Sudden Evil: One cup of salt, two cups of water, mix and take, splash with cold water, revive immediately. ("Jiuji Fang")
Sudden evil heart pain, radiating to waist/navel: Salt the size of a chicken egg, wrapped in blue cloth, heated red, put into wine, take at once. Should vomit foul matter, cured. (Zhen Quan "Yaoping Lun")
Wind-stroke abdominal pain: Half jin of salt, boil until water dries, place in mouth, drink two sheng of hot soup, cure upon vomiting. ("Zhouhou Fang")
Yang Collapse Deficiency Pattern: Limbs cold, unconscious, or lower abdomen tight/painful, cold sweat, panting. Apply fried salt to Qi Hai point below navel for warmth. ("Jiuji Fang")
Heart/Abdominal Distension Hardness, Pain Suffocating to Death: Five he of salt, one sheng of water, decoct and take. Cure upon vomiting/purging; if not, take more. ("Meishi Fang")
Abdominal Distension Fullness: Black salt, take six zhu with wine. ("Later Wei Book")
Excess alcohol/meat, bloating discomfort: Rub salt flowers on teeth, rinse with warm water two to three times, melts like snow in hot water. ("Jianbian Fang")
Dry Huoluan (Acute Vomiting and Diarrhea, 霍乱), unable to vomit above or purge below: See Elucidation.
Huoluan (Acute Vomiting and Diarrhea, 霍乱) Abdominal Pain: One bag of fried salt, apply to heart/abdomen until Qi penetrates, then another bag on back. ("Jiuji Fang")
Huoluan (Acute Vomiting and Diarrhea, 霍乱) Muscle Cramps: Dying, breath stopped, but abdomen has warmth. Fill umbilicus with salt, moxa seven cones on salt, revive immediately. ("Jiuji Fang")
Liver Deficiency Cramps: Liver Qi deficient, wind-cold constricts sinews, whole body cramping, entering abdomen unbearable. Three dou of hot water, add half jin of salt, soak slightly warm. ("Shenghui Fang")
All Podagra (Hongjiao, 香港脚): Three sheng of salt, steam hot, wrap separately, press against wall, step on it with feet to heat soles. Also steam with Sophora Albiflora Bark (Huai Baipi, 槐白皮), especially good. Use nightly. ("Shiliao Bencao")
Podagra (Hongjiao, 香港脚) Pain: Every night rub salt on legs/knees to toenails, soak briefly, wash with hot soup. One person cured this way. ("Jiuji Fang")
Phlegm-Fluid in Chest: For Shanghan (Cold Damage, 伤寒), Febrile Disease, Malaria requiring vomiting, use salt broth to induce vomiting. ("Waitai Miyao")
Post-Illness Hypochondriac Distension: After epidemic disease, bilateral hypochondriac fullness, fry salt and apply heat. ("Waitai Miyao Fang")
Pregnancy Unbearable Heart Pain: Salt heated red, take a pinch with wine. ("Chanbao")
Breech Presentation in Pregnancy: Rub salt on mother's abdomen, apply to baby's soles, scratch urgently. ("Qianjin Fang")
Female Genital Pain: Wrap salt in blue cloth, apply heat. ("Yaoping Lun")
Pediatric Hernia and Retested Kidney Qi: Put salt in kudzu bag, hang at doorway, parents knead/shake until cured. ("Rihuazi Bencao")
Pediatric Anuria: Place salt in umbilicus, moxa it. ("Yaoping Lun")
Urinary Obstruction: Wrap white salt in wet paper, roast, blow少许 into urethra, immediate passage. ("Puji Fang")
Qi Lin (Qi Strangury, 气淋) Umbilical Pain: Mix salt and vinegar, take. ("Guangli Fang")
Obstruction of Both Bowels and Bladder: Mix salt and vinegar, apply to umbilicus, change when dry. Also灌 rectum with salt juice; swallow salt wrapped in paper dipped in water. ("Jiacang Fang")
Spermatorrhea and White Turbidity: One liang of Snow White Salt (packed tight in Guji, one day to remove fire toxicity), one liang each of Poria (Fuling, 茯苓) and Yam (Shanyao, 山药). Powder, mix with jujube paste and honey into Wu Zi sized pills. Take thirty pills with jujube water. Sweet balances salty, benefiting both Spleen and Kidney. ("Zhizhi Fang")
Dysentery with Unbearable Anal Pain: Fry salt, wrap, sit on to apply heat. ("Zhouhou Fang")
Unremitting Bloody Dysentery: White salt, wrap in paper, roast and grind, mix with porridge, eat, stops in three to four times. ("Jiuji Fang")
Gu-Poison Hematemesis or Rectal Bleeding like Liver: One sheng of salt, one sheng of vinegar, boil and dissolve, take at once, cure upon vomiting. Physician Zhi's formula. ("Xiaopin Fang")
Metal Wound (Jin Chuang, 金疮) Heavy Bleeding, Cold Blood Kills: Take three scoops of fried salt, mix with wine. ("Meishi Fang")
Wind-Stroke in Metal Wound (Jin Chuang, 金疮): Boil salt hot, scoop with spoon, drain water, pour hot on wound. Change when cool, daily without stopping, until cured, highly effective. ("Zhouhou Fang")
Pediatric Lockjaw: Pound salt and fermented beans, apply to umbilicus, moxa. ("Zimu Milu")
Incessant Laughing Illness: Cang Salt roasted red, ground, added to river water, boiled, drunk, induced vomiting of hot phlegm several sheng, cured. "Suwen" states: Excess Spirit causes incessant laughter. Spirit is Heart Fire. Fire gets wind to flare, image of laughter. A woman suffered this for half a year, Zhang Zihe used this formula, cured. ("Rumen Shiqin")
Drinking Without Getting Drunk: Before drinking alcohol, take one bi of salt, subsequent intake doubles. ("Zhouhou Fang")
Brighten Eyes, Strengthen Teeth, Remove Nebula, Benefit Old Eyes: Sea salt, soaked in boiling water, clarify juice, boil in silver/ceramic vessel to obtain snow-white salt flowers, store in new tile vessel. Every morning brush teeth/rinse, use fingernail to apply water to eyes, sit closed for long time, then wash face. Named "Dongshi Qianli Fa", extremely miraculous. ("Yonglei Qianfang")
Wind-Heat Toothache: Decoct Sophora Branch (Huai Zhi, 槐枝) thick soup two bowls, add one jin of salt, boil dry, fry and grind, daily brush teeth, wash eyes with water. (Tang Yao "Jingyan Fang")
Tooth Decay/Mobility: Half liang of salt, two stalks of Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit (Zaojiao, 皂角), roast red together, grind. Brush teeth nightly, cured in one month, teeth firm. ("Shiliao Bencao")
Gum Recession: Hold salt every morning, rinse with hot water one hundred times. Teeth firm after five days. ("Qianjin Fang")
Toothache Bleeding: Pack thick salt powder on gums nightly, let juice drip out before lying down. Clench teeth while juice flows. Within ten nights, pain/bleeding stop. Avoid pork, fish, rapeseed. Highly effective. ("Zhouhou Fang")
Flesh Growth in Throat: Wrap chopstick head in cotton, dip in salt, rub, five to six times daily. (Sun Simiao's Formula)
Emperor Bell Wind-Throat, Drooping Half Inch: Salt, frequent application, dissolves immediately. ("Shenghui Fang")
Wind Disease Tinnitus: Steam five sheng of salt hot, pillow ears with it, replace when cold. ("Zhouhou Fang")
Sudden Ear Pain: Same formula as above.
Tearing from Eyes: Apply salt to eyes, wash with cold water several times, cured. ("Fanwang Fang")
Floating Nebula Obscuring Vision: Grind少许 white salt raw, frequent application, repeatedly effective, suitable for children. ("Zhizhi Fang")
Pediatric Eye Nebula Coming/Going, Growing Large:少许 Snow White Salt, dip rush stem, apply, three to five times daily. No pain/obstruction, repeatedly effective. ("Huoyou Kouyi")
Dust in Eye: Put少许 salt and fermented beans in water, look at it, dust exits immediately. (Sun Simiao's Formula)
Rosacea (Jiu Zao, 酒齄) Red Nose: Rub white salt frequently, excellent. ("Zhizhi Fang")
Acute Mouth/Nose Cancre, Eroding/Rotting/Foul: Equal parts Douzi Salt and white flour. Powder, blow into nose/mouth. ("Puji Fang")
Five-Colored Malignant Sores on Face: Soak cotton in salt broth, apply to sore, five to six times, cured. ("Yaoping Lun")
Body Feeling Like Insects Crawling, Wind-Heat: One dou of salt, one shi of water, decoct bath, three to four times. Also treats all wind-qis. ("Waitai Miyao")
Initial Carbuncle/Lichen Itching/Pain: Chew salt, rub frequently, excellent. ("Qianjin Yi")
Poison on Hands/Feet, Wind-Toxin Swelling: Equal parts salt powder and pepper powder. Mix with vinegar, apply, immediate cure. ("Zhouhou Fang")