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Sweet in flavor.
Zhen Bencao states: For heat in the Heart, this herb is indispensable for clearing it.
Ju Fang Ben Cao states: Dan Zhu (Cinnabar) is sweet in flavor and slightly cold in nature. It is non-toxic. It nourishes the spirit, calms the soul and hun, benefits qi, brightens the eyes, unblocks the blood vessels, and relieves thirst and irritability.
Yao Xing Lun states: It serves as a sovereign herb. It has great toxicity. It anchors the Heart and calms the mind, primarily treating convulsions.
Ri Hua Zi states: It is cool in nature and slightly toxic. It moistens the Lungs and Heart. It is incompatible with Ci Shi (Magnetite) and fears salty water.

Salty in flavor.
Ben Cao states: It breaks down hard accumulations. It is rarely used alone but is commonly included in compound prescriptions. It is salty, bitter, and pungent in flavor, and warm in nature. It is toxic and should not be taken in large doses. It treats accumulations and masses, breaks up stagnant blood. It can induce abortion, relieve pain, direct Qi downward, and treat chronic cough and cold conditions. It removes foul flesh and promotes healthy tissue regeneration. It softens gold and silver and can be used as a soldering agent.
Yao Xing Lun states: It has great toxicity. It fears Jiang Shui (fermented grain juice) and is contraindicated with sheep blood. It is sour and salty in flavor. It can corrode the stomach and intestines; if eaten raw, it transforms the human heart into blood. It eliminates cold diseases and greatly enhances sexual function.
Ri Hua Zi states: Bei Ting Sha (Northern Court Cinnabar) is pungent and sour in flavor and warm in nature. It is non-toxic. It fears all acids. It supplements the Kidney organ, warms the uterus, resolves cold accumulations, stasis, retained food, Qi masses, and disorders such as abdominal pain due to Qi and Blood stagnation, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea in women. For processing, use Huang Dan (Litharge) and Duan Shi (Calcined Alum) to make containers, using the red variety. It is non-toxic. It softens gold and silver and is also used in veterinary medicine for donkeys and horses.

Neutral in flavor. Non-toxic.
Shi Xi states: Qian Li Shui (Water from a thousand miles away) and Dong Liu Shui (East-flowing water) are indicated for weakness after illness. By splashing it over ten thousand times, boiling herbs in it, and storing it properly, miraculous effects are achieved. Both types of water are capable of cleansing pathogenic turbidity. This water is pure and truly different from other waters. It is feared by Yun Mu (Mica), and is used when refining Mica powder.

Shi Xi states: The pearls formed on the surface of splashed water are what is meant. It treats Huo Luan (Cholera-like syndrome) and enters the Bladder meridian. It is exceptionally effective when used in formulas for Ben Tun (Running Piglet syndrome).

Warm in nature, sweet in flavor.
Ben Cao states: For insufficiency of Yin, tonify with blood. If there are sores in the throat, take one chicken egg, remove the yolk, pour Ku Jiu (bitter wine/vinegar) into the shell, put Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) into the vinegar in the shell, retrieve the shell, place it on a knife ring, and simmer until slightly boiling. Remove the dregs and sip slowly. It also clears heat, treats burns, epilepsy, and spasms. It can be transformed into amber-like divine substances. The yolk, mixed with Heng Shan (Dichroa Root) powder and formed into pills, taken with Zhu Ye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction), treats persistent malaria that does not resolve; the yolk, decocted with hair, dissolves into water, and treats pediatric fright-heat and dysentery.