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Cinnabar (Dan Sha) tastes sweet, is slightly cold in nature, and is non-toxic. It treats diseases of the five zang organs and hundred ailments of the body, nourishes the spirit (Shen), calms the soul (Hun) and essence (Po), supplements qi, brightens the eyes, unifies the blood vessels, stops irritability and fullness, eliminates thirst (Xiao Ke), benefits the spirit, makes the face lustrous and radiant, kills spirits and evil ghosts, removes sudden malignant conditions, abdominal pain, toxic vapors, scabies, and various sores. Long-term ingestion allows one to connect with divine clarity, prevents aging, lightens the body, and achieves immortality. It can be transformed into mercury; when ground into powder, it is called Zhen Zhu (True Vermilion). Its luster resembles mica (Yun Mu); those that can be separated into sheets are of superior quality. It grows in the valleys of Fuling, and can be harvested at any time. (It is incompatible with Magnetitum (Cishi) and fears salty water.)

Note: What transforms into mercury and is named Zhen Zhu is precisely what is now known as Cinnabar (Zhu Sha). Secular physicians often mistakenly identify a mixture of Realgar (Xiong Huang) from Qiuchi, Wudu, and Orpiment (Ci Huang) as Dan Sha. Alchemists also frequently use this mixture, which is erroneous. Fuling refers to Fuzhou, adjacent to southern Ba Commandery; mining has ceased there. It is now sourced from Wuling and the barbarian regions of Western Sichuan, all belonging to the ancient Ba territory, hence called Ba Sha. The *Immortal Classics* (*Xian Jing*) also use Yue Sha, sourced from Linzhang in Guangzhou. Both origins are good, provided the material is bright, clear, and translucent. Material resembling flakes of mica is called Yun Mu Sha. Material resembling Chupu seeds or Purpureum (Zi Shi Ying) is called Ma Chi Sha, which is also good. Material resembling beans or large, smooth chunks is called Dou Sha. Fine powder is called Mo Sha. These latter two types are coarse and unsuitable for medicinal use, serving only for painting. Mining involves digging pits several zhang deep. Even within the same commandery or county, quality varies. Sites with natural water wells are superior to those with fire wells. Methods of refining and ingesting are detailed in the *Immortal Prescriptions* (*Xian Fang*), making it the supreme treasure for longevity. (Referenced in *Xin Xiu Ben Cao* p. 4, *Da Guan Ben Cao* Vol. 3, *Zheng He Ben Cao* p. 79)

Mercury (Shui Yin) tastes pungent, is cold in nature, and is toxic. It treats scabies, crusted ulcers, alopecia capitis (white baldness), kills insects and lice on the skin, induces abortion, and clears heat. Applied to the male genitals, it causes atrophy and loss of vitality. It neutralizes the toxicity of gold, silver, copper, and tin, melting them back into cinnabar. Long-term ingestion leads to immortality and deathlessness. Also known as Geng. It grows in the flat lands of Fuling and originates from Cinnabar. (It fears Magnetitum (Cishi).)

Currently, mercury exists in raw and processed forms. The "raw" mercury mentioned as growing in the flat lands of Fuling comes from within the Cinnabar ore or separate sand deposits; it is bluish-white and of the highest quality. Mercury derived from smelting Cinnabar is obtained by burning coarse Cinnabar powder; it is pale white and turbid, inferior to the raw form. It strongly dissolves gold and silver into a paste, used by people for plating. The transformation back into Cinnabar is described in the *Immortal Classics*. Mixed with wine and sun-dried, it can be ingested for longevity. Ashes flying up and adhering to the cauldron during smelting are named Gong Fen (Mercury Powder), commonly called Shui Yin Hui (Mercury Ash), which is highly effective against lice. (Referenced in *Xin Xiu Ben Cao* p. 40, *Da Guan Ben Cao* Vol. 4, *Zheng He Ben Cao* p. 107)