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Shi Zhong Ru (Stalactite)

Taste: Sweet. Temperature: Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Origin: Produced in Shixing and Jiangling, mostly growing in rock caves. It only grows in dark and damp places, formed by dripping juice condensing, hence named "milk" (Ru). Shape resembles goose quills, hollow in the center, and light/thin like cicada wings. Color is pure white, clean, and lustrous. (Those with this quality are excellent regardless of thickness. If it resembles dead bones/ashes or shows yellow/red colors, it should not be used.) Length is over six to seven cun. Harvest time is indefinite; it does not sink in water. For medicinal use, it must be refined, strictly following Lei Gong's method. (For every 8 liang of Shi Zhong Ru, use 2 liang of Gancao [Licorice Root] and 2 liang of Zibei Tiankui [Basella rubra], boil in water for one fu shi [approx. 2 hours], remove, wipe dry, bake on slow fire, grind and sieve, process via water levigation [shui fei], sun-dry, then grind ten thousand times before storage/use]. If procedures are violated, adverse reactions may occur. Adverse interactions exist with three herbs: Mudan [Moutan Cortex], Xuan Shi, and Mu Meng. It is incompatible with Zi Shi Ying [Fluorite]; Snake Chu Zi [Cnidium Fruit] acts as its guide herb. Indications: Mainly treats cough with counterflow qi (ke ni shang qi), heals weak/cold pain in legs. Unblocks the five zang organs and hundred joints, promotes lactation, and benefits the nine orifices. Resolves tongue jaundice (she dan) and polydipsia, tonifies deficiency of the lower jiao causing spermatorrhea. Benefits qi, strengthens yin/yang, improves voice clarity, and brightens eyes. Long-term consumption aids fertility; unrefined usage causes lin syndrome (lin zheng).

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Zhu Danxi stated: "Shi Zhong Ru is a fierce/harsh agent." The Classics state: "The qi of stone drugs is fierce." How benevolent these words are! Heaven nourishes people with grain food, and uses medicine to treat illness. Grain qi is mild and can be consumed regularly; medicinal qi is biased and should only be used temporarily; stone drug qi is extremely biased. Since ancient times, wealthy families have often been misled by alchemists. Believing that stone drugs are heavy in substance and strong in qi, they consume them to prolong life. This habit became a custom, leading to incurable disasters from this harsh qi. Alas!

Dai Zhe Shi (Hematite)

Taste: Bitter, Sweet. Temperature: Cold. Alternative view: Taste sweet, temperature neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Origin: Only produced in Daizhou (Shanxi Province), mostly growing in valleys. (Another theory: It is red soil from under the gates of the capital of Dai.) Color is red like a rooster's comb with luster; high-quality ones do not stain nails excessively. If genuine product is hard to obtain, Li Shi [Oyster Shell] can substitute. Process by quenching in vinegar over fire seven times, then grind to extreme fineness and process via water levigation. Only suitable for powder form (san); do not decoct for soup. Incompatible with Xiong Huang [Realgar] and Fu Zi [Aconite Lateralis Radix Preparata] (including Tian Xiong); Ganjiang [Zingiberis Rhizoma] acts as its guide herb. Enters Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian and Jueyin Liver Meridian. Treats women's leukorrhea (chi wo), metrorrhagia/metrostaxis (beng lou), and difficult labor with retained placenta. Treats pediatric kan disease (malnutrition), diarrhea/dysentery, convulsions/epilepsy, hematuria, and enuresis/incontinence. Expels wind-torture and gu poison, kills ghost-infestation spirits. Supports impotence, cures fright qi entering the abdomen. *Shengji Jing* states: "Timidity is fright." Timidity causes floating qi; heavy agents settle it. The heaviness of Dai Zhe Shi settles deficient counterflow qi. Contraindicated in pregnancy due to risk of miscarriage.