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Also known as Hanshui Shi (Cold Water Stone). Pungent, salty, and extremely cold in nature; treats epidemic febrile diseases with excessive heat, thirst, and edema. However, due to its heavy texture and cold property, it should not be administered lightly unless there is severe excess heat.

Also known as Taiyin Yuanjing Shi (Taiyin Prime Essence Stone). Salty and cold in nature, inheriting the essence of the Taiyin (Yin) aspect; its power can rescue Yin and assist Yang, possessing the merit of supporting critical conditions and reversing adverse states, thereby restoring primordial Qi.

This is Pixiao (Skin Nitre). Bitter, pungent, and salty, with an extremely cold nature; it purges heat and excess, moistens dryness and softens hardness, sweeps away excess heat in the Triple Burner, and resolves dryness and accumulation in the intestines and stomach. It is a specialized medicine for Chen Zhixin. It is produced in saline lands; after scraping and refining, the sediment at the bottom is Puxiao (Raw Nitre); the upper layer is Mangxiao (Mirabilite); crystallized like teeth is Mayaxiao (Horse-tooth Nitre); wind-dried and sun-dried to remove moisture, becoming light and white like powder, is Fenghuaxiao (Weathered Nitre). Puxiao has a fierce and rapid nature, whereas other forms of nitre become milder after refining.

Pungent, sweet, salty, and cold; purges excess heat in the Stomach; removes old fecal matter in the intestines, moistens dryness and breaks accumulation. When boiled with Radish (Lai Fu Zi) using Puxiao, and then boiled again with Licorice (Gan Cao), its action becomes slightly milder. However, for those without excess heat and dryness-accumulation, it is strictly contraindicated.

Salty, bitter, pungent, and hot; specifically eliminates meat accumulations, treats dysphagia and abdominal masses, and removes corneal opacities and fleshy growths from the eyes. Due to its toxic heat nature, it must not be administered lightly unless refined.

This is Pengsha (Borax). Sweet and salty, slightly cool in nature; clears turbidity and reduces swelling, purges heat and resolves phlegm. It is a specialized medicine for throat obstruction (Hou Bi), dental and oral diseases, dysphagia, and mass formations, and can also digest egg-like foreign bodies. It should be finely ground and processed by water flotation (Shui Fei), with dosage adjusted according to the patient's deficiency or excess condition.

Sour and extremely hot; enters the Mingmen (Gate of Life) to tonify Fire and unblock the intestines; treats sores and kills parasites. It is placed in tofu to neutralize its heat toxicity before use. Tuliuhuang (Earth Sulfur): Pungent and hot; only suitable for treating sores and is not used in decoctions.

Sour, astringent, and slightly cold; resolves phlegm and dries dampness; detoxifies and kills parasites; possesses the ability to promote urination, clear turbidity, and clarify purity. For detoxification, use raw and ground; for astringing saliva, use roasted.

Also known as Zaofan (Green Vitriol). Sour, astringent, and cool in nature; dries dampness and transforms saliva/phlegm; detoxifies and kills parasites. Its nature is close to Baifan (White Alum), but its efficacy is more intense. The red variety is named Jiangfan (Red Alum); it enters the Blood level, subdues the Liver, and dries the Spleen, and is used in Fanshi Wan (Alum Pill).

Also known as Huoxiao (Fire Nitre), i.e., Yanxiao (Flame Nitre). Pungent, bitter, and slightly salty; extremely hot and fierce in nature; raises and disperses the Yang Qi of the Stomach; treats vomiting and diarrhea caused by cold injury, heart and abdominal pain, and attacks hard accumulations. It is used in Laifu Dan (Restoring Vitality Pill).