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Mi Tuo Seng (Borax, specifically refined borax from ancient sources)

Taste: Salty, Pungent. Nature: Neutral. Slightly toxic. Originally produced in the barbarian country of Persia; its name is likely derived from a foreign language. Currently, in copper and silver smelting works everywhere, people recognize this "ash foot" (precipitate/residue from refining). Therefore, sellers also refer to it as "broken ash." It is abundant in nearby regions, extremely cheap, and easy to obtain. Its texture is hard and heavy, resembling Long Chi (Dragon Teeth), which is considered excellent. When crushed, those with a golden hue are superior. Ground into an extremely fine powder, it is mostly used in plasters (Gao Yao). It is contraindicated for chronic dysentery and treats the five types of hemorrhoids (Wu Zhi); it removes white patches (Bai Ban) and is particularly effective for various sores and ulcers.

Xia Zhou Pu Xiao (Raw Glauber's Salt from Xia Prefecture)
Xiao Shi (Niter/Potassium Nitrate)
Mang Xiao (Refined Glauber's Salt)

Taste: Bitter, Pungent, Salty. Nature: Cold. Action: Descending. Attribute: Yin. Non-toxic. Another view states it is toxic. (Zhu Danxi said: The *Shennong Bencao Jing* records it as non-toxic, which is incorrect. It can dissolve seventy-two kinds of stones; how could it do so without toxicity?) It grows in the valleys of Yi Province, on sunny slopes near saline water. Initially, its seedlings are harvested, water is poured over them to extract the juice. After one boiling process, it becomes dregs, which is named Pu Xiao (Raw Glauber's Salt). Those with a bluish-white color are superior; those mixed with yellow or red should not be taken. (Yellow ones harm the body, red ones kill.) It can dissolve various mineral drug poisons and expel accumulations in the Six Fu Organs. It moistens dryness, promotes bowel movements, eliminates the old and generates the new, dissipates carbuncles and swellings, discharges pus, and scatters toxins. It counters epidemic dysentery (Tian Xing Yi Li) and breaks stagnant blood and closure syndromes. It treats mania caused by Shang Han (Cold Damage) and resolves phlegm stagnation causing epigastric fullness (Pi). All excess heat conditions can be purged by it. It is also effective at inducing abortion and is contraindicated for pregnant women. Mang Xiao is obtained by re-boiling Pu Xiao and pouring it into basins to crystallize into芒 (sharp crystals/prisms). Because it has edges and corners, it is renamed Mang Xiao. It more effectively eliminates phlegm masses (Tan Pi) and regulates menstruation. Applied externally, it treats poison ivy dermatitis (Qi Chuang); internally, it helps deliver retained placenta in difficult labor. Washing with it benefits the Heart and Liver to brighten the eyes; cleansing the intestines and stomach stops pain. The Classic states: "When heat invades internally, treat with salty-cold agents, assisted by bitter-cold agents." Ancient formulas follow this, often using Da Huang (Rhubarb) and Mang Xiao together, acting synergistically as primary agents. It is also called Ying Xiao because its shape resembles Bai Shi Ying (White Quartz). It is also called Ma Ya Xiao because its shape is indistinguishable from horse teeth. In reality, it is the same substance as Mang Xiao, merely named differently due to shape variations. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* lists them separately, while here they are attached together. Xiao Shi (Niter) crystallizes at the bottom of the basin residue; when burned, flames rise upward. Due to its hard and solid nature, it is specifically classified as a stone category. Three herbs to avoid with it are Ku Shen (Sophora Root), Ku Cai (Bitter Vegetable), and Ceng Qing (Azurite). Generally, pungent flavors moisten dryness, salty flavors soften hardness, and bitter flavors purge fire. However, its potency is slightly weaker and slower compared to the previous two types of Xiao (Pu Xiao and Mang Xiao). These two products (Feng Hua Xiao and Xuan Ming Fen) are particularly exquisite and are also processed from Pu Xiao. In winter, fill a ramie cloth bag completely, hang it at the eaves; the texture gradually turns white. This is Feng Hua Xiao (Weathered Glauber's Salt). Its light and non-descending property makes it a quick remedy for wealthy families to resolve stubborn phlegm. In the twelfth lunar month, boil it with radish water and leave it outdoors until the bottom loses its salty taste; this is known as Xuan Ming Fen (Mirabilite/Rinse Salt). Because it contains Yang within Yin, it is indeed a wonderful agent for the elderly and weak to gently dispel deficient heat. When taking it, Ku Shen must be avoided. (Method for preparing Xuan Ming Fen: Use 10 jin of Pu Xiao and one bucket of water, melt them together in a pot. Skim off the grease on the surface. Filter the water through fine cloth and good paper to remove dregs. Add 10 jin of radish, 5 jin of winter melon, and 3 jin of tofu, all cut into thick slices, into the nitre water in the pot. Boil six or seven times, then remove the radish and other items. Skim off the grease again, and filter through fine cloth and good paper once more, ensuring all dregs are removed. Then place it in a clay basin, set under the stars and moon, allowing natural nitre crystal sheets to form. Take them out and place them on a table to air-dry naturally. Boil the original water again, put it in a clay basin to regenerate crystals. Repeat this several times until no more nitre crystals appear in the water. Wrap the previously air-dried nitre crystals in mud inside a jar, pack tightly, surround with crushed charcoal to prevent heat loss, and refine according to method. Wait until the water is completely dry and the nitre juice in the jar no longer sizzles. Seal the jar mouth properly, then apply intense fire for a day and night. Xuan Ming Fen is formed. Let it cool, take it out, place it on clean ground, and cover it with a new clay basin to remove fire toxicity. Later, grind it into powder. For every jin, add 1 liang each of raw Gan Cao (Licorice) and cooked Gan Cao, mix evenly. Initial dose: one bag; gradually increase to two bags. Taken in four seasons, each with a specific vehicle/decoction: Spring nourishes the Liver, taken with Chuan Xiong Huang Qin Shao Yao Tang (Ligusticum, Scutellaria, and Peony Decoction). Summer nourishes the Heart, taken with Fu Ling Tang (Poria Decoction). Autumn nourishes the Lungs, taken with Fu Ling Jie Geng Tang (Poria and Platycodon Decoction). Winter nourishes the Kidneys, taken with Rou Cong Rong Wu Tou Tang (Cistanche and Aconite Decoction). Four Seasons nourish the Spleen, taken with Ren Shen Bai Zhu Tang (Ginseng and Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction). Pu Xiao is a salty substance. Radish is warm-natured; along with winter melon and tofu, it can extract the salty taste. Using them in processing removes the salinity, hence it is called a "Yin-Medium Drug.")

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: The seven types of Xiao have similar tastes and properties, all being good at digestion and expulsion. However, Pu Xiao has strong and urgent action; Mang Xiao, Ying Xiao, and Ma Ya Xiao have mild action. Xiao Shi, Feng Hua Xiao, and Xuan Ming Fen have even milder action. When used to treat diseases, stop once the illness recedes. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* records that refined Xiao can be taken for tonification; is this logical? If a pregnant woman has indications for purgation, it must be used with Da Huang as a guide to enter the Large Intestine directly, moistening dryness and purging heat, ensuring safety for both mother and child. The Classic says: "If there is a pathological cause, there will be no destruction [of the fetus]; thus, there is no destruction [to the mother]." This is what is meant.