平。主明目。化铜。铁落。味辛平。主风热恶创。疡疽创痂疥气在皮肤中。铁主坚肌
耐痛。生平泽。
禀阳就燥。气弗交阴。紫尘吹焰。乌液留砧。柔能绕指。坚自安心。山盈渥赭。索广窥
深
。
土宿指南。铁禀太阳之气。而阴气不交。故燥而不洁。易。火就燥。陶弘景曰。铁精出
灶
中如尘。紫色轻者为佳。苏恭曰。铁落是锻家烧铁砧上。锻之皮甲落者。滋液黑于余铁。又
名铁液。刘琨诗。何意百炼刚。化为绕指柔。日华子曰。生铁镇心。安五脏。管子。其上有
赭。其下有铁。诗。赫如渥赭。文心雕龙。才欲窥深。辞务索广。
味辛寒。主身热。利胃。解烦。益精明目。破积聚。去三虫。一名立制石。生山谷。
横理庚庚。移名立制。脉贯峡封。层分土渍。青缕丝明。赤肤肌腻。迭用柔刚。同归一
致。
史记纪。大横庚庚。逸周书。以移其名。苏恭曰。此石夹两石间如石脉。开用之。或在
土中
重叠而生。皮正赤肉白。名医曰。一名肌石。李时珍曰。石肤有软硬二种。理石顺理而微。
硬者长纹细直如丝而明洁。色带微青。与软石膏一类通用。
味辛寒。主身热。四肢寒厥。利小便。通血脉。明目去翳眇。下三虫。杀蛊毒。久服
不饥。一名方石。生山谷。
嵬然卓立。岂恃依凭。纵如排齿。解或方棱。云飞片片。玉琢层层。热中顿解。渊静清
凝。
淮南子。嵬然不动。论语。如有所立卓尔。唐书传。足可依凭。苏恭曰。不附石而生。
端然
独处。状同石膏而浓大。纵理而长纹似马齿。苏颂曰。方解石与长石为一物。李时珍曰。击
之则片片横碎。光莹如云母。名医曰。光而润泽玉色。孟子。不得于君则热中。云笈七签。
本真清凝。嶷然渊静。
[Iron Essence]
Neutral in nature. Primarily treats brightening the eyes. Can dissolve copper.
[Iron Filings]
Pungent, neutral in nature. Primarily treats malignant sores, ulcers, carbuncles, wound scabs, and skin diseases such as scabies caused by wind-heat pathogens residing in the skin. Iron generally strengthens muscles and increases pain tolerance. Grows in marshes and flatlands.
It inherits Yang Qi and tends towards dryness; its Qi does not interact with Yin. Purple dust blows into flames, black liquid remains on the anvil. Soft metal can be bent around a finger, while hard metal naturally brings peace of mind. Mountains are filled with rich ochre, ropes stretch wide to probe depths.
The Earthly Branch Star (Zhu Xiu) points south. Iron inherits the Qi of the Sun (Great Yang), yet Yin Qi does not interact with it, hence it is dry and unclean. The *I Ching* states: "Fire follows dryness." Tao Hongjing stated: Iron essence comes from the stove, resembling dust; purple and light ones are superior. Su Gong stated: Iron filings are the scale-like flakes that fall off when blacksmiths hammer iron on a red-hot anvil. Its fluid is darker than other irons, also known as Iron Liquid. Liu Kun's poem says: "Who would have thought that the tempered steel could be transformed into something soft enough to bend around a finger?" Ri Hua Zi stated: Raw iron calms the Heart and settles the Spirit, stabilizing the Five Viscera. *Guanzi* states: "Where there is ochre above, there is iron below." The *Classic of Poetry* states: "Red like wet ochre." *Wenxin Diaolong* states: "Talent seeks to fathom the profound, diction strives for breadth."
[Lizhi Stone / Calcite]
Pungent, cold in nature. Primarily treats body heat, promotes stomach function, relieves vexation, benefits essence and brightens the eyes, breaks up accumulations, and eliminates the Three Worms. Also named Lizhi Shi. Grows in mountain valleys.
The transverse grain is distinct, leading to the name "Lizhi" (Standing Control). Veins run through gorges and seals, layers divide like soil stains. Green threads are bright, red skin is smooth. Alternating soft and hard methods ultimately return to unity.
The *Records of the Grand Historian* records: "Broad and distinct transverse grains." The *Yi Zhou Shu* states: "To transfer its name." Su Gong stated: This stone is sandwiched between two other stones like a vein, used when opened. It may also grow overlapping in the soil. The outer skin is reddish, the inner flesh is white. Famous Physicians stated: Also named Jishi (Muscle Stone). Li Shizhen stated: The stone crust has two types: soft and hard. The soft type has fine, subtle grains following the structure; the hard type has fine, straight, thread-like grains that are clear and clean, with a slightly green color, and is commonly used interchangeably with soft Gypsum Fibrosum.
[Zhangshi Stone / Magnesite]
Pungent, cold in nature. Primarily treats body heat, cold reversal of the four limbs, promotes urination, unblocks blood vessels, brightens the eyes and removes nebulae, expels the Three Worms downward, and kills gu poison. Long-term use prevents hunger. Also named Fangshi. Grows in mountain valleys.
Lofty and standing alone, what reliance does it depend on? Vertical rows like teeth, cleavage forms square edges. Pieces fly like clouds, layers carved like jade. Internal heat is instantly resolved, deep stillness clears and condenses.
The *Huainanzi* states: "Standing firm and unmoving." The *Analects* states: "As if there were something standing, lofty and outstanding." The *Book of Tang - Biographies* states: "Sufficient to rely upon." Su Gong stated: It grows without attaching to other stones, standing solitary and upright. Its shape resembles Gypsum Fibrosum but is thicker and larger, with longitudinal grains and long striations resembling horse teeth. Su Song stated: Fangjie Shi (Magnesite) and Zhangshi are the same substance. Li Shizhen stated: When struck, it shatters transversely into pieces, lustrous and bright like Mica. Famous Physicians stated: Lustrous and moist, jade-colored. Mencius stated: "If one fails to gain favor with the ruler, internal heat arises." *Yunji Qiqian* states: "Original truth is clear and condensed, lofty and deeply still."