味酸寒。矾石味涩而云酸者，盖五味中无涩，涩即酸之变味，涩味收敛亦与酸同，如
五色中之紫，即红之变色也。主寒热，寒热为肝经之疾，酸能收敛肝气。泄痢白沃，亦收涩
之功。阴蚀恶疮，味烈性寒，故能杀湿热之虫，除湿热之毒。目痛，制火清金。坚骨齿。敛
气固精。炼饵服之，轻身不老增年。
此以味为治，矾石之味最烈，而独成一味，故其功皆在于味。
味苦寒。朴硝味咸而云苦者，或古时所产之地与今不同，故味异耶，抑或以咸极而生
苦耶。主百病，除寒热邪气，邪气凝结则生寒热，硝味咸苦能软坚，而解散之。逐六腑积聚
结固留癖，硝质重性轻而能透发郁结，置金石器中尚能渗出，故遇积聚等邪，无不消解也。
能化七十二种石。此软坚之甚者。炼饵服之，轻身神仙。消尽人身之滓秽，以存其精华，故
有此效。
硝者，消也。朴硝乃至阴之精，而乘阳以出，其本水也，其标火也。遇湿则化为水，遇
火则
升为火，体最清而用最变，故丹家重之。石属金，硝遇火则亦变火。盖无火之性，而得火之
精气者也。火铄金，故能化石。
味甘寒。主身热，寒能除热。泄 ，滑石，能滑利大小肠，厘清水谷。谷水分，则泄
愈矣。女子乳难，乳亦水类，滑石利水且能润窍，故有通乳之功。癃闭，利小便，滑利小
肠。荡胃中积聚寒热，滑利大肠，凡积聚寒热由蓄饮垢腻成者，皆能除之。益精气。邪去则
津液自生。久服轻身，耐饥长年。通利之药，皆益胃气。胃气利，则其效如此。
此以质为治，凡石性多燥，而滑石体最滑润，得石中阴和之性以成，故通利肠胃，去积
除水，解热降气。石药中之最和平者也。
Fanshi (Alumen): Sour in taste, cold in nature. The taste of Fanshi is actually astringent; it is described as sour because among the Five Flavors (Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent, Salty), there is no "Astringent." Astringency is a variant flavor of Sour. The astringent property of收敛 (converging/restraining) is the same as that of Sour, just as Purple in the Five Colors is a variation of Red. It primarily treats Cold-Heat disorders. Cold-Heat disorders are diseases of the Liver Meridian (Liver Channel); Sour taste can converge Liver Qi. For diarrhea, dysentery, and excessive leukorrhea (white discharge), it also relies on its astringent function. For genital erosion and foul sores, due to its pungent/strong taste and cold nature, it can kill parasites caused by Damp-Heat and eliminate Damp-Heat toxins. For eye pain, it restrains Fire and clears Lung Metal (Metal). It strengthens bones and teeth. It converges Qi and secures Essence. When refined and taken orally, it makes the body light, prevents aging, and prolongs life.
This treatment principle is based on taste. The taste of Fanshi is the most potent and stands alone as a unique flavor category; therefore, its efficacy lies entirely in its taste.
Puxiao (Mirabilite): Bitter in taste, cold in nature. The taste of Puxiao is actually salty; it is described as bitter perhaps because the production area in ancient times differed from today, resulting in a different taste? Or perhaps because extreme Saltness generates Bitterness? It treats various diseases and eliminates Cold-Heat pathogenic factors. Pathogenic factors condensing lead to Cold-Heat conditions. The salty and bitter taste of Xiao can soften hardness and disperse accumulation. It drives out accumulations, nodules, stubborn retention, and masses in the Six Fu Organs. Although Puxiao has a heavy substance, its medicinal action is light and penetrating, capable of resolving stagnation. It can even exude moisture when placed in stone or metal vessels; thus, for any accumulation or pathogenic factor, it can dissolve it without exception. It can dissolve seventy-two types of stones, representing an extreme softening effect. When refined and taken orally, it makes the body light like an immortal. It eliminates waste and filth from the human body, preserving the essence, hence this efficacy.
"Xiao" means "to eliminate." Puxiao is the essence of Extreme Yin, yet it emerges relying on Yang. Its root is Water, but its manifestation is Fire. It turns into water when encountering dampness and rises as fire when encountering heat. Its substance is the clearest, and its uses are most variable, which is why alchemists value it. Stones belong to Metal; when Puxiao encounters fire, it also transforms into fire. It essentially lacks the nature of Fire but possesses the spiritual essence of Fire. Since Fire melts Metal, it can dissolve stones.
Huashi (Talcum): Sweet in taste, cold in nature. It primarily treats body heat; the cold nature removes heat. For treating diarrhea, Huashi promotes lubrication and free flow in the Large and Small Intestines, clarifying and separating grain and fluids. If fluid metabolism is normalized, diarrhea resolves. For women with difficulty in lactation, since milk belongs to the category of fluids, Huashi promotes diuresis and moistens orifices, thus having the effect of promoting lactation. For strangury (difficulty in urination), it promotes urination by lubricating the Small Intestine. It sweeps away accumulations and Cold-Heat pathogens in the Stomach; by lubricating the Large Intestine, it eliminates all accumulations and Cold-Heat caused by retained fluids and greasy turbidity. It benefits Essence and Qi. Once pathogens are removed, Body Fluids naturally generate. Long-term use makes the body light, reduces hunger, and prolongs life. Medicines with draining and unblocking properties all benefit Stomach Qi. When Stomach Qi flows freely, such effects are achieved.
This treatment principle is based on substance. Generally, mineral drugs are drying, but Huashi is the most slippery and moist, formed by obtaining the yin-harmonizing nature within minerals. Thus, it promotes free flow in the intestines and stomach, removes accumulation and water retention, resolves heat, and directs Qi downward. It is the most mild and peaceful among mineral drugs.