Library

(Qingmengshi / Calcareous Schist) Sweet and salty, neutral in nature. There are two types: green and white, with the green variety being superior. It is hard, fine, and dark green; when broken open, it contains white star-like spots, which later turn into bran-like golden flecks. Those without star spots... [Text appears incomplete/corrupted].

(Shiuhuang / Native Sulfur) Sour and astringent, neutral in nature. The texture is extremely hard and heavy, color resembling sulfur. The blocks can be very large, and people carve them into utensils. Yellow stone with pale white veins in the middle is named "Flower" (Huahuang). It is sealed in a jar, calcined by fire to remove "fire toxicity," ground finely, processed by water levigation (shui fei), and dried for use.

(Shidan / Copper Vitriol) Sour and acrid, cold in nature, toxic. Its appearance resembles kingfisher feathers or glaze with white veins. Genuine material breaks easily; it should be ground into an extremely fine powder. Use Shuiying as an assistant herb. It is incompatible with Baiwei, Yuanhua, Jungui, Mugui, and Xinyi. *Tujing* states: The best Shidan comes from Puzhou. Large pieces are fist-sized, small ones peach- or chestnut-sized. When struck, they split longitudinally and transversely, forming layered textures. The color is green... [Text appears incomplete]. Li Shizhen (*Bencao Gangmu*) notes: Counterfeits are made by kneeling Qingfan (Green Alum) with vinegar... They are formed by melting Shidan and Xiaosha (Niter) together. These fake pieces are large, pale, cloudy, lack grain structure, shatter upon striking, and have no sharp edges. There is also Qifushi... [Text appears incomplete].

(Lvfan / Green Vitriol) Salty and slightly acrid, cold in nature. It must be dissolved in water, clarified to remove sediment, and refined until white before being suitable for medicinal use. Loulu is used as an assistant herb.

(Xuanjingshi / Crystal Rock) Sweet and salty, cold in nature. It forms into blocks of irregular size and shape. Those that are square-edged, bright, translucent, and green are considered superior.

(Puxiao / Crude Mirabilite) Salty and acrid, intensely cold in nature. Puxiao grows in saline-alkali lands. Locals scrape and boil the brine, which crystallizes overnight. It resembles powdered salt but is mixed with sand and soil impurities, requiring further refining before medicinal use... [Text regarding processing with radish appears fragmented].

(Mangxiao / Refined Mirabilite / Yingxiao)... [Fragmented text describing crystal shapes]. The sharper edges are called Mangxiao; those with fewer crystals at the bottom and tooth-like growths on top, resembling jade artifacts, look like white quartz and are also known as Yingxiao. The residue at the bottom of both is collectively called Puxiao. Taking Mangxiao and Yingxiao, and further processing them... yields Tianxiao (Sweet Niter). Placing these nitrates in wind and sun to evaporate moisture results in a light, white powder called Fenghuaxiao (Weathered Niter). Combining Mangxiao and Yingxiao in a vessel and sublimating them produces Xuanmingfen (Refined Mirabilite Powder). Shiwei is used as an assistant herb. It is incompatible with Maijujiang and fears Sanleng.

Method for preparing Xuanmingfen: Take 10 jin of pure white Puxiao and one bucket of clear water. Boil until dissolved, filter out dregs, and expose to stars and moon overnight. Remove water to obtain the nitrate. For every jin... expose to night dew again for one night. Take out and place in large sand... apply heat from gentle to strong. Once boiling stabilizes, cover the mouth with a tile, still placed on paper on the ground, and cover with a basin for three days to remove fire toxicity. Grind into powder. For every jin, add raw Gancao (Licorice Root)... and store for use.