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(When using, soak in vinegar overnight, drain and dry. Heat over fire to eliminate fishy and foul odors. Store in a bottle, seal tightly, place aside, wipe clean of dust, and grind finely. Remove tin impurities. This is the method for processing Sanhuang (Three Yellows) and Shaxiaoshi (Saltpeter).)

(When using, place in a small porcelain bottle, then add Zibei Tiankui (Ophiopogon japonicus var. bulbifer) and Shilongru (Ranunculus ternatus), three items in total, and heat over fire. Soak in licorice water from Si hour to Shen hour. Remove from Shen hour to Zi hour, wipe dry, place in a bottle, and calcine over fire. Grind separately thirty thousand times before use. Another method: For every one tael of Bishuang (Arsenic Trioxide), crush it and cover with one tael of Mingfan (Alumen) ground into powder. Store in a jar and calcine over open fire until the alum becomes dry and porous (Kufan). The fierce toxicity of arsenic leaves with the smoke, while its form remains in the alum, thus greatly reducing toxicity so that it can be used safely without harming people. Using arsenic implies using alum-arsenic, which seems simple. Arsenic is inhibited by mung bean cold water, green salt, Hetoucao, saltpeter, garlic water, Polygonum hydropiper, Oldenlandia diffusa, Leonurus japonicus, Duzhoumu, Acorus tatarinowii, Sanjiaosuan, Centipeda minima, Perilla frutescens, and Lactuca sativa; all these can suppress arsenic.)

(Mix equally with Huoxiao (Potassium Nitrate), place in an Yangcheng jar, seal firmly, preserve the nature, grind as fine as flying dust for medicinal use. Obtaining Yanxiao (Sodium Nitrate) is beneficial.)

(Originating from various commanderies such as Hua Zhou in Shaanxi, with true yellow color and indeterminate size and shape. When used in pills or powders, seal the jar tightly, apply fire to the top to remove fire toxicity, grind finely, process by water levigation, dry in the sun, and use.)

(It is Pengsha (Borax). Those white like Mingfan are superior. Grind as fine as flying dust. Inhibited by Zhimu, Yuncai, Zisu, Zengdai, Heshouwu, and Centipeda minima.)

(Those with slightly yellow color, thin skin, moist and bright luster, broad and single-stemmed, sweet taste with no bitter aftertaste are superior. Remove the rhizome base. Poria cocos and Iris lactea are its guiding herbs. Disliked by Luxian Soushu. Inhibited by Wulingzhi.)

(Cleave open and remove the core. Steam using willow wood steamer and willow wood fuel for one shichen (two hours). Sprinkle wine to intensify penetration, add more fire to steam out, then sun-dry. Rehmannia glutinosa, Pinellia ternata, and wall moss are its guiding herbs. Contraindicated with carp. Inhibited by Luqing and Lemna minor. Can be processed with Xionghuang and Sha.)

(Produced at Xian Qiao in Hangzhou. Those that are fine, white, and wrinkled are superior. Wash with water to remove the core. Generally, five to six taels must be removed from every one jin (approx. 500g). When used in decoctions, either moisten with water to remove the core or roast on tile while hot to remove the core. If used in pills or powders, must be roasted thoroughly on tile, then cooled in the wind. Repeat this cooling and roasting process three or four times to facilitate drying without damaging medicinal potency. Alternatively, soak in liquid, pound into paste, and mix with medicine. For tonifying medicines, soak in wine and pound. Rehmannia glutinosa and Plantago asiatica are its guiding herbs. Disliked by Kuaodong, Kufu, and Kuhu. Inhibited by Kushen, Qingxiang, and Auricularia auricula-judae. Suppressed by Fushi Zhongru.)