有青白二种。青者佳。取青黑而坚细者打开。中有白星点。 后则星黄如麸金。
其无星点者。不入药。（濒湖）
味辛咸。气平。其性下行。阴也。沉也。乃厥阴肝经药。主治积痰惊痫。咳嗽喘急。能
坠结聚之痰留滞脏腑。礞石乃治惊利痰之圣药。风木太过。来制脾土。气不运化。积滞生
痰。壅塞上中二焦。变生风热诸病。故宜此药重坠。制以硝石。其性疏快。使木平气下而痰
积通利。诸证自除。（濒湖） 吐痰在水上。以石末糁之。痰即随水而下。其沉坠之性可知。
（又）得焰硝。能利湿热痰积从大肠而出。因湿热盛而皮肤生疮者。一利即愈。（入门）性
非胃家所好。气弱脾虚者不宜久服。丹溪言。一老人忽病目盲。乃大虚证。医与礞石药服之。
至夜而死。是可戒也。（濒湖） 按痰有二因。如脾胃积滞生痰。或多食酒面湿热之物。以
致胶固稠粘。咯唾难出者。用之豁痰利窍。除热泄结。应如桴鼓。至于阴虚火炎。煎熬津液。
凝结为痰。或发热声哑。痰血杂出者。误投则脾胃先败。
〔论〕 礞石以青者为佳。而石中更取白星点者。犹是以金平木之义。即隐君所制滚痰
丸。亦非徒取其重坠。犹是木平气下之义也。观其治中风痰塞。则可见矣。
〔修治〕 以礞石四两打碎。入硝石四两拌匀。置大坩锅内。炭火十五斤。簇定。 至
硝尽。其色如金为度。取出。研末水飞。去硝毒。晒干用。
There are two types: green and white. The green variety is superior. Select the dark green-black ones that are solid and fine, break them open, and observe white star-like spots inside. Over time, these spots turn yellow, resembling bran gold.
Those without star-like spots are not used in medicine. (Li Shizhen)
The taste is pungent and salty; the nature is neutral. Its action tends downward, belonging to Yin and exhibiting a sinking property. It is a herb for the Jueyin Liver Meridian. It mainly treats phlegm accumulation causing fright epilepsy, cough, and wheezing/asthma. It can sink and resolve phlegm stagnation accumulated in the zang-fu organs. Qingmengshi (Green Mica Schist) is a supreme drug for treating fright and unblocking phlegm. When Wood Qi becomes excessive and overacts on Earth (Spleen), Qi fails to transform and transport, leading to stagnation and phlegm production. This obstructs the Upper and Middle Jiao, giving rise to wind-heat and other diseases. Therefore, this heavy-sinking herb is suitable, processed with Nuxiaoshi (Saltpeter). Nuxiaoshi has a dispersing and relieving nature, which calms Wood, directs Qi downward, and unblocks phlegm accumulation, thereby eliminating various symptoms. (Li Shizhen)
When expectorated phlegm floats on water, sprinkling it with stone powder causes the phlegm to sink with the water, demonstrating its heavy-sinking property. (Ibid.) With Yanxiao (Fire Saltpeter), it can promote the discharge of damp-heat phlegm accumulation through the Large Intestine. For skin sores caused by excessive damp-heat, recovery occurs promptly after promoting drainage. (Yi Zong Ru Men)
Its nature is not favored by the Stomach; those with weak Qi and Spleen deficiency should not take it for long periods. Danxi stated: An elderly person suddenly suffered blindness, which was a sign of severe deficiency. A physician administered medicine containing Qingmengshi, and the patient died by nightfall. This serves as a warning. (Li Shizhen)
Note: There are two causes for phlegm. If phlegm arises from Spleen-Stomach stagnation, or from excessive consumption of alcohol and wheat products causing damp-heat, resulting in thick, sticky phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, using this herb can clear phlegm, open orifices, eliminate heat, and drain accumulation, with effects as immediate as a drumbeat. However, in cases of Yin deficiency with flaming fire, where fluids are scorched and condensed into phlegm, or when fever, hoarseness, and mixed blood-phlegm occur, misusing this herb will first damage the Spleen and Stomach.
[Discussion] Qingmengshi is best when green, and among stones, those with white star-like spots are preferred. This still embodies the principle of "using Metal to calm Wood." Fang Xian's (Yin Jun) Gun Tan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill) also does not merely rely on its heavy-sinking property but similarly follows the principle of "calming Wood and directing Qi downward." This is evident in its treatment of stroke due to phlegm obstruction.
[Processing] Take four liang of Qingmengshi, crush it, and mix evenly with four liang of Nuxiaoshi. Place the mixture in a large crucible. Use fifteen jin of charcoal fuel, arranging it securely around the crucible. Heat until the Nuxiaoshi completely melts away and the color turns golden. Remove, grind into powder, process by water levigation (shui fei) to remove nitre toxicity, and dry in the sun for use.