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Preparation Method. In autumn, use two or three *shi* (a traditional unit of volume) of human urine. Place it in a pot and slowly decoct over mulberry wood fire. Do not allow crust to form on the sides of the pot; if any forms, scrape it down with a bamboo knife. If the liquid boils and foams, stir frequently with a bamboo rod to stabilize it. Wait until the liquid dries into dregs. Remove the fuel and dry the dregs over gentle heat. Divide the material into Yangcheng jars, leaving about two cun above the contents. Cover with porcelain dishes, seal the jar mouths tightly, and nurture with gentle fire for one week. The medicine will gradually ascend, becoming light as snow, appearing in five colors or resembling various shapes. This is considered superior grade. It should be stored tightly in silver bottles and kept in cool, quiet places; otherwise, it will turn into water due to wind and weathering, requiring re-sublimation and nurturing to reform into frost-like crystals, though slightly less solid. (Chen Zhiyi) Another method for preparing "Ji Ji Yuan Shu" involves selecting upright and clean male and female children, each assigned their own urinal. Urine is collected successively, decocted into dregs, and the superior grade "Qiushi" (Autumn Stone) is sublimated from each. The white precipitate from the urinals is also collected, sun-dried, and baked. First, place the female's white precipitate at the bottom of a silver cauldron. Next, place the male's Qiushi above the female's precipitate. Then, place the female's Qiushi above the male's Qiushi. Finally, place the male's white precipitate above the female's Qiushi. Once securely arranged, leave two cun of space at the top and seal firmly with Liuyi mud (a mixture of kaolin and flux stone). Warm-nurture with fire from three directions for seven days. Red granular elixirs will interlock and condense on the lid of the cauldron. This is considered the highest grade. Storage methods are the same as for Qiushi.

Flavor: Salty. Temperature: Warm. Nourishes Kidney Water, nourishes the Dantian, returns to the root and restores the origin, returns to the root and restores life. Calms the Five Zang organs, moistens the San Jiao (Triple Burner), eliminates phlegm and cough, retreats bone-steaming tidal fever, softens hard masses, brightens the eyes and clears the heart, prolongs life and benefits longevity.

[Discussion] The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: The San Jiao (Triple Burner) is the pathway for food and fluids, and the place where Qi terminates and begins. However, the *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon) refers to the San Jiao as the reservoir of water. Since the Kidney belongs to Water, and the Bladder transports water and combines with the Kidney, it is further stated that the San Jiao is commanded by the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) and Foot Taiyang (Bladder) channels. Thus, the excretion of small urine indeed originates from Qi transformation, but it is actually where Qi terminates, transforming from Yang back into Yin for excretion. Tracing its origin, it is fundamentally rooted in Supreme Yin. (Qi is generated by Water.) Yet, how does the process of Qi terminating by returning from Yang to Yin compare to the process of Qi beginning by extending from Yin to Yang? Therefore, although human urine has merit in reducing Fire, compared to Qiushi which transforms from the descent of Water to the ascent of Fire... (Chen Zhiyi argues this is because Water's nature is to moisten and descend, relying on the greatness of Fire, achieving Ji Ji [Completion/Intersection] to permit ascent.) In comparison, Qiushi offers even greater nourishing benefits. Observe that after one week of nurturing fire, the medicine gradually ascends, becoming light as snow. How does this compare to ordinary urination? This medicine should often be kept near fire, or occasionally nurtured with fire for three to five days, so that its efficacy becomes even greater.