味辛、甘，平，大寒，有毒。主治恶疮，头秃，痂疥，杀毒虫虱，身痒，邪气，诸毒
蚀鼻中息肉，下部 疮，身面白驳，散皮肤死肌，及恍惚邪气，杀蜂蛇毒。炼之。久服轻身，
增年不老，令人脑满。生武都山谷，与雄黄同山生。其阴山有金，金精熏则生雌黄，采无时。
今雌黄出武都仇池者，谓为武都仇池黄，色小赤。出扶南林邑者，谓昆仑黄，色如金，
而
，用之既稀，又贱于昆仑。《仙经》无单服法，唯以合丹砂、雄黄共飞炼为丹耳。金精是雌
黄，铜精是空青，而服空青反胜于雌黄，其意难了也。（《新修》四三页，《大观》卷四，《政
和》一○三页）
味甘，温，无毒。主治咳逆上气，明目，益精，安五脏，通百节，利九窍。下乳汁，益
气，补虚损，治脚弱疼冷，下焦伤竭，强阴。久服延年益寿，好颜色，不老，令人有子。
不炼服之，令人淋。一名公乳，一名芦石，一名夏石。生少室山谷及太山，采无时。（蛇床
为之使，恶牡丹、玄石、牡蒙，畏紫石英、 草。）
第一出始兴，而江陵及东境名山石洞，亦皆有之。惟通中轻薄如鹅翎管，碎之如爪甲，
中无雁齿，光明者为善。长挺乃有一二尺者。色黄，以苦酒洗刷则白。《仙经》用之少。而
世方所重，亦甚贵。（《新修》一五页，《大观》卷三，《政和》八三页）
[Cinnabar Yellow / Orpiment (Cis Huang)]
Pungent and sweet in flavor, neutral and extremely cold in nature, toxic. It treats malignant sores (severe skin ulcers), alopecia capitis (hair loss on the head), scabies with crusts (scabies with scabs), kills poisonous insects and lice, alleviates pruritus corporis (body itching), expels pathogenic factors, and resolves various toxins. It cauterizes nasal polyps, treats sores in the lower jiao (genital or anal region), disperses vitiligo on the face, dissipates dead muscle tissue on the skin, and eliminates pathogenic factors arising from mental confusion; it also neutralizes venom from bees and snakes. It must be refined before use. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prolongs life, and enriches the brain. It is produced in the valleys of Wudu, growing in the same mountains as Realgar (Xiong Huang). Where there are gold deposits in the shady mountains, the essence of gold fumes to generate Cis Huang; it can be harvested at any time. The Cis Huang currently produced in Qiuchi, Wudu, is called "Wudu Qiuchi Huang," which has a slightly reddish hue. The one produced in Linyi, Funan, is called "Kunlun Huang," which is golden in color but brittle; it is used sparingly and is cheaper than Kunlun Huang. The *Immortal Classics* do not prescribe single-herb consumption; it is only combined with Cinnabar (Dan Sha) and Realgar (Xiong Huang) for sublimation into elixirs. The essence of gold is Cis Huang, and the essence of copper is Azurite (Kong Qing); yet consuming Azurite is considered superior to Cis Huang, the rationale for which is difficult to comprehend. (From *Xinxiu Bencao*, p. 43; *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 4; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 103)
[Stalactite / Spelaeothem (Shi Zhong Ru)]
Sweet in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. It treats cough with asthma (coughing and wheezing), brightens the eyes, benefits the essence, calms the five zang organs, unblocks the joints, and opens the nine orifices. It promotes lactation, tonifies qi, supplements deficiency and damage, treats weakness and cold pain in the legs, addresses exhaustion of the lower jiao (kidneys and bladder), and strengthens yin. Long-term consumption prolongs life and longevity, improves complexion, prevents aging, and facilitates fertility. If consumed unrefined, it causes lin syndrome (dysuria). It is also known as Gong Ru, Lu Shi, and Xia Shi. It grows in the valleys of Mount Shao and Mount Tai; it can be harvested at any time. (It uses Cnidium Fruit (She Chuang Zi) as an assistant herb; it is incompatible with Peony Root (Mu Dan Pi), Magnetite (Xuan Shi), and Ophiopogon Tuber (Mu Meng); it fears Amethyst (Zi Shi Ying) and [Certain] Grass.)
It first appeared in Shixing, but is also found in stone caves of famous mountains in Jiangling and the eastern regions. Only those that are hollow, thin as goose quills, break like fingernails, lack the texture of goose teeth in the center, and possess a bright luster are considered superior. Some long specimens reach one or two chi in length. They are yellow in color and turn white when washed with vinegar (Ku Jiu). The *Immortal Classics* rarely use it. However, it is highly valued in secular medical formulas and is very expensive. (From *Xinxiu Bencao*, p. 15; *Daguan Bencao*, Vol. 3; *Zhenghe Bencao*, p. 83)