味辛寒。主周痹风湿。肢节中痛。不可持物。洗洗酸消。除大热烦满。及耳聋。一名
元石。生山谷。
铁质坚顽。磁君引并。山辨阴阳。石分动静。炼畏伏砂。归催悬井。受制庚辛。南针指
丙。
淮南子。磁石能引铁。吴普曰。一名磁君。李时珍曰。磁石生山之阴。元石生山之阳。
形
虽相似。性各不同。磁石能吸铁。元石不能吸铁。余冬叙录。丹砂伏磁石。水克火也。淮南
子。磁石悬井。亡人自归。寇宗 曰。磁石磨铁锋。能指南。然常偏丙位。盖丙为大火。庚
辛受其制。物类相感耳。
味辛寒。主身热腹中积聚邪气。皮中如火烧。烦满水饮之。久服不饥。一名白水石
。生山谷。
凝寒冰冱。积卤石生。色兼青黑。理具纵横。蜂窠孔细。马齿棱莹。沟渠六角。同类元
精。
名医曰。一名寒水石。盐之精也。李时珍曰。夏月研末煮汤。入瓶。悬井底即成冰。陶
弘景
曰。卤地所生。苏恭曰。有纵理横理二种。苏颂曰。有孔窍若蜂窠。丹房鉴源。石块有齿棱
如马牙硝。清莹如水精。亦有青黑色者。梦溪笔谈。太阴元精石生盐泽之卤。沟渠土内。禀
积阴之气。凝结皆六角。
味咸微温。主崩中漏下。破子藏中血。症瘕结气。寒热腹痛。无子。阴痿不起。补
不足。句挛。一名白石。生山谷。
气结 蒸。山恒阳霁。根驻云丛。锋销雪瘗。凿选野狼牙。毒祛蛇蜕。握白提清。芟除黑
翳。
扬雄文。 云而散 蒸。注。气上出也。潘岳赋。阳霁则吐霞耀日。苏颂曰。齐州阳
起山
。常有温暖气。盛冬大雪。此山独无。陶弘景曰。甚似云母。但浓异耳。李峤诗。山类丛云
起。庚辛玉册。尖似箭镞者力强。置大雪中。倏然没者为真。李时珍曰。轻松如野狼牙者佳。
李之才曰。使用恶蛇蜕皮。抱朴子。怀黄握白。提清挈肥。日华子曰。凡入药凝白者佳。苏
恭曰。今用纯黑如炭者误矣。
[Cishi, Magnetitum]
Taste: Acrid (Xin), Nature: Cold (Han).
Indications: Mainly treats generalized Bi syndrome (painful obstruction) and wind-dampness. Pain in the limbs and joints, inability to hold objects, a sensation of coldness with soreness and emaciation. Clears severe heat, vexation, and fullness, as well as deafness.
Alternative name: Yuanshi (Yuan Stone).
Habitat: Grows in mountain valleys.
Iron is hard and stubborn; Cishi acts as the sovereign herb to guide and coordinate. Mountains distinguish Yin and Yang; stones differentiate between stillness and motion. In refining, it fears Fusha (cinnabar processed with sulfur); upon entering the channels, it催 (urges) suspension in deep wells (reflecting its heavy, sinking nature). It is controlled by Metal (Geng-Xin belong to Metal); the south-pointing needle often points to Bing (the direction South-East).
The *Huainanzi* records: "Cishi can attract iron." Wu Pu stated: "Also known as Ci Jun (Magnetic Sovereign)." Li Shizhen said: "Cishi grows on the shady side of mountains, while Yuanshi grows on the sunny side. Although their shapes are similar, their natures differ. Cishi can absorb iron, whereas Yuanshi cannot." The *Yudong Xulu* records: "Cinnabar subdues Cishi," based on the principle that Water overcomes Fire (referring to specific mineral interactions or elemental theory). The *Huainanzi* also records: "When Cishi is suspended near a well, the bodies of those who drowned will naturally float back to the surface." Kou Zongshi said: "Rubbing an iron needle tip with Cishi makes it point south, but it often deviates slightly towards Bing. This is likely because Bing represents the position of Great Fire, and Metal (Geng-Xin) is constrained by it; this is due to the mutual attraction of similar substances."
[Ningshuishi, Halloysitum / Calcii Carbonas]
Taste: Acrid (Xin), Nature: Cold (Han).
Indications: Mainly treats body heat, accumulation of pathogenic qi in the abdomen, a burning sensation in the skin like fire, vexation and fullness relieved by drinking water. Long-term use prevents hunger.
Alternative name: Baishui Shi (White Water Stone).
Habitat: Grows in mountain valleys.
Like frozen ice, formed from accumulated halite deposits. Its color combines green and black; its texture features longitudinal and transverse patterns. It has fine pores resembling honeycombs and bright ridges like horse teeth. It exhibits hexagonal channel-like structures, similar to Yuanjing Shi.
The *Mingyi Bielu* states: "Also known as Hanshui Shi, it is the essence of salt condensed." Li Shizhen said: "In summer, grinding it into powder, boiling it in water, placing it in a bottle, and suspending it at the bottom of a well causes it to form ice-like crystals." Tao Hongjing said: "It grows in saline lands." Su Gong said: "There are two types: those with longitudinal veins and those with transverse veins." Su Song said: "Some have pores resembling honeycombs." The *Danfang Jianyuan* records: "The stone blocks have toothed ridges like Mayaxiao (sodium nitrate), clear and lustrous like rock crystal; some are green-black." The *Mengxi Bitan* records: "Taiyin Yuanjing Shi grows in the brine of salt marshes within soil ditches, inheriting accumulated Yin Qi, condensing into hexagonal shapes."
[Yangqishi, Actinolitum]
Taste: Salty (Xian), Nature: Slightly Warm (Wei Wen).
Indications: Mainly treats metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (uterine bleeding), breaks up blood stasis in the uterus, resolves masses (Zheng-Jia) and stagnant Qi, alternating chills and fever with abdominal pain, infertility, impotence, tonifies deficiencies, and treats spasms/contractures.
Alternative name: Baishi (White Stone).
Habitat: Grows in mountain valleys.
Qi condenses and steams; the mountain remains perpetually sunny. Roots dwell among clouds; edges are worn down by buried snow. Mining selects wild wolf-tooth shaped ores; toxicity is dispelled by snake skins (referring to purification or avoiding adulterants). Holding white extracts clarity; pruning removes black opacities.
Yang Xiong's writings mention: "Clouds scatter, steam rises." The commentary notes: "Qi ascends." Pan Yue's fu says: "When the sky clears, rosy clouds shine like the sun." Su Song said: "Yangqi Mountain in Qizhou always has warm air; even during heavy snow in mid-winter, this mountain remains free of snow." Tao Hongjing said: "It resembles Yunmu (Mica), but is denser." Li Qiao's poem says: "Mountains rise like clusters of clouds." The *Gengxin Yuce* records: "Those sharp like arrowheads have strong efficacy; those that suddenly disappear when placed in heavy snow are genuine." Li Shizhen said: "Lightweight ones resembling wild wolf teeth are superior." Li Zhicheng said: "When used, one should avoid snake shed skins." The *Baopuzi* mentions: "Harboring yellow and white substances, extracting clarity and carrying fat" (metaphors for refinement). Ri Hua Zi said: "For medicinal use, solidified white material is best." Su Gong said: "Using pure black, charcoal-like material today is erroneous."