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Silver Star Stone

Silver Shavings from Raozhou

Raw Silver from Xuanzhou

Taste: Pungent. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Toxic. It is mostly produced in the silver mines of Xuanzhou and Raozhou. (Xuanzhou belongs to Nanzhili, and Raozhou belongs to Jiangxi. In the Tang Dynasty, Censor Quan Wanji memorialized that the silver mines in Xuanzhou and Raozhou were extremely abundant, yielding great profits from mining. Emperor Taizong said, "Our resources are not lacking; why rush to extract them?" This indicates that silver exists in those places.) It exists only within raw silver ores. The texture is rough and chaotic, and its hardness resembles tin. This is called ore silver, which is difficult to use directly in prescriptions. (Silver in the ore is often mixed with copper and must be smelted with lead to become precious silver. Another theory states that ore silver is still contained within dense stones, and its Qi has not yet spread smoothly, hence it is described as toxic.) The character "shavings" added here has the same meaning as gold leaf. It must be refined until cooked, then ground into powder, or silver leaf can be taken and crushed. Used for making pills or decocting juice, dosage depends on the severity of the condition. It is incompatible with Magnetitum (Cishi) and Halloysitum Rubrum (Shitingzhi), and is adverse to Tin Metallicum (Bai Xi) and all blood-related substances. It treats delirium, trance-like states, and insomnia; stops heat-induced mania, palpitations, and epilepsy. It stabilizes will, nourishes spirit, calms the heart, and brightens the eyes. It settles the five Zang organs and wards off various evils. When used in combination, its efficacy surpasses that of Zixue San (Purple Snow Powder). Yellow silver is regarded as an auspicious object that wards off evil, (Su Song noted: "Making vessels from it wards off evil, thus it is an auspicious object.") but this is baseless nonsense; (If it can be made into vessels, it cannot be considered an auspicious object.) Wuyin (Black Silver) turns black due to fumigation with sulfur smoke. There is a specific method for refining Yinjiao (Silver Paste), (which involves combining Bai Xi, Silver Leaf, and Hydrargyrum.) Once congealed like paste, it specifically treats heart deficiency leading to forgetfulness and delusion, and replenishes missing or fallen teeth. Yin Xingshi (Silver Star Stone) contains flake-like particles resembling silver stars; its therapeutic properties and origin characteristics are the same as previously described. (Identical to Jinyinshi.)

Lead

Ziran Tong (Natural Copper)

Taste: Sweet. Toxicity: Non-toxic. It inherits the extreme Yin essence of the North (Ren and Gui water elements) and grows in the silver mines at Qunpingze in Shu. Its nature is moist and slippery, and its color is black and dark. It can transmute copper into silver, requiring specific conditions ("grass伏") to become a treasure. When entering prescriptions for treatment, it calms the heart and soothes the spirit. It governs Guizhu (a chronic wasting disease attributed to ghosts/ancestral spirits) and Yingliu (goiter/nodules); stops regurgitation, vomiting, and hiccups. For snake or scorpion bites and poisoning, moxibustion and hot compresses are particularly effective. Lead ash obtained from smelting can treat Luoli (scrofula). Qianshuang (Lead Frost) has a cold nature and is also refined from lead. (The method: Mix lead and mercury in a 15:1 ratio, refine into sheets, place in a vinegar jar, seal tightly, and after a long time, frost forms on the surface, also known as Qianbaishuang.) It can be applied to papaya to remove acidity, because papaya's nature involves Metal overcoming Wood. It stops palpitations, drives out heat, resolves alcohol toxicity, and eliminates phlegm. It treats chest and diaphragm stuffiness and irritability, and expels phlegm-solidification caused by wind-stroke. There is a specific method for preparing Qiandan (Lead Tetroxide). (Method: Take one jin of lead, one liang of earth sulfur, and one liang of Niter. First melt the lead into liquid, add vinegar to cause boiling, then drop in a small piece of sulfur, followed by a little niter. After boiling subsides, add vinegar again, repeating the addition of sulfur and niter until the niter boils away and the sulfur is consumed. Grind into powder to form the cinnabar.) Examining its properties, it is pungent and cold. Also known as Huangdan, it is frequently used in surgery. First, wash it clean of sand and soil using the water-flying method, then roast it over fire until it turns brownish-yellow. Decocted into ointment and applied to traumatic wounds, it promotes muscle growth and stops pain; when taken internally to treat epilepsy, it consolidates spirit and calms fright. It eliminates toxic heat causing umbilical contraction and stops regurgitation and vomiting. The Classics state: "Astringency can treat collapse." Qiandan consolidates Qi. However, Ziran Tong (Natural Copper) is found near copper deposits, its shape varies between square and round, its color is greenish-yellow resembling copper, and it is not formed through ore smelting, hence it is called Natural Copper. It should be processed by calcination and quenching in vinegar, ground into an extremely fine powder, and purified by water-flying. It treats sprains and fractures, reconnects bones and tendons, heals injuries, disperses blood stasis, and relieves pain. Mixed with warm wine and taken orally, it produces miraculous results immediately. If it is not properly prepared, do not take it by mistake.

(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Zhu Danxi said: The world regards Ziran Tong as a miraculous herb for bone setting, but they do not know that formulas for treating trauma prioritize tonifying Qi, Blood, and Stomach. Quack doctors who fail to understand this principle seek quick effects for profit. If such freshly fired herbs are given to elderly or weak patients, the fire toxicity and metal toxicity will exacerbate each other, compounded by the toxicity of aromatic and heating herbs. Although it has the function of healing injuries, the disaster caused by its drying and dispersing nature is worse than swords and knives. Beware! Beware!