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Nowadays, it is called Zhusha (Cinnabar). Cinnabar from Chenzhou is mostly produced in the caves inhabited by ethnic minorities. In Laoya Well of the Yao cave at the border of Jinzhou, the well is dozens of zhang deep and wide. People first pile firewood in the well; when full, they set it on fire. Where the blue stone walls crack open due to heat, small niches appear, containing natural white stone beds within. The stone resembles jade, and cinnabar grows upon these beds. Small pieces resemble arrowheads, while large ones look like hibiscus flowers. They are bright and lustrous enough to reflect images, and when ground, they yield a vivid red color. Cinnabar adhering to the stone bed weighs seven or eight taels for larger pieces, and up to ten taels can be found in Huangzhou. Those shaped like arrowheads and attached to rock are obtained from soil and do not belong to this category. This substance calms and nourishes the heart and mind (Shen), but should only be used raw. When refined and ingested, it rarely fails to cause illness; its harm is no less than that of Sulfur (Liuhuang). Furthermore, a physician once ingested several pills of "Fu Huo" (fire-subdued) cinnabar, suddenly suffered intense heat, and died after a few nights. Li Shansheng once refined cinnabar into pills. After more than a year, during a second refiring process after bathing, he accidentally left a piece behind. His disciple swallowed the pill made from it, resulting in severe dizziness and confusion, leading to death within one night. Natural cinnabar can be administered to newborns. However, due to changes induced by fire/refining, it becomes lethal. One must be extremely cautious.

Its efficacy excels in treating eye diseases. During the reign of Emperor Renzong, an imperial decree was issued to the Imperial Medicine Bureau requiring cinnabar with a hollow center containing water, to be bestowed upon close relatives of the imperial family. It took a long time to obtain such specimens. The Yangmei Qing variety (a type of Kaolin/Empty Blue mineral often associated with cinnabar processing contexts or distinct mineral drugs in ancient texts, here likely referring to a specific high-quality mineral form or impurity context described as beneficial for eyes) is highly effective in medical treatment. It may also contain water internally. Its usage is similar to Kongqing (Kaolin/Empty Blue), differing only in quality. Currently, it is mined from Rong Mountain in Xinzhou and is known as Yangmei Qing in the world, being extremely rare.

This refers to Shilu (a type of Stalactite/Hematite contextually linked here, though traditionally Shilu is Hematite, the text describes black-green stones carved into shapes or vessels, and mentions use with Cinnabar for vomiting phlegm-wind, implying a mineral drug interaction or specific preparation). Stones that are black-green are superior. Large ones are carved into figurines or used as vessels. It is also combined with Cinnabar to prepare medicines that induce vomiting of wind-phlegm. While effective, it damages the Heart and Lungs.

Although there were ancient methods for refining and ingesting it, very few people consume it today, reflecting extreme caution. Markets often sell broken flower-like fragments. Currently, it is only compounded into Yunmu Gao (Mica Ointment) to treat all kinds of carbuncles, sores, and ulcers. The Huimin Bureau has separate methods.

Xiao Bing stated: Specimens resembling cicada wings or fingernails are of the highest grade, while those resembling goose quills are inferior. Since the classic texts mention "Ru" (Milk/Stalactite drip), why is it now rejected? The reason is that "Ru" implies a downward-nature property. Rejecting forms like "goose teeth" is analogous to rejecting the sharp tips of Aconitum carmichaelii (Wutou) and Aconitum kusnezoffii (Fuzi). Ideally, it should be clear, smooth, light, and resemble refined Nuxitrum (Niter/Potassium Nitrate) in color. There are separate methods for ingestion and refining.