Library

[Mineral Category: Lu Shi (Halite)]

The first herb is acrid, neutral in temperature, and heavy in substance. It soothes the Liver, stabilizes the魄 (Hun/Po spirit), calms the Heart, and treats palpitations with mania and epilepsy. Yin Piao (Silver Foil) has similar efficacy.

The second herb is acrid and neutral. It dissipates blood stasis, alleviates pain, and is particularly effective for traumatic injuries, promoting the healing of bones and tendons. It should be calcined over fire, quenched in vinegar seven times, and then finely ground for use.

The third herb is Tong Lv (Verdigris). It is sour and neutral, enters the Liver meridian, astringes heat, dispels wind, brightens the eyes, and alleviates pain. It is obtained by scraping the surface of copper vessels treated with vinegar.

The fourth herb is sweet and cold. It descends phlegm, treats heat syndromes, detoxifies, and calms the Spirit. Due to its heavy weight and yin nature, it severely damages the Heart and Stomach; it should not be used lightly by patients with deficiency.

The fifth herb is Huang Dan (Red Lead). It is salty and cold, clears heat, and draws out toxins. Although it has internal therapeutic effects, its nature is similar to lead, and after being refined with salt and alum, it greatly depletes true Yang. It should not be used lightly. Qian Fen (Lead Carbonate) has similar functions and contraindications.

The sixth herb is acrid and neutral. It disperses blood, reduces swelling, detoxifies, and kills parasites. It is a specific external medicine for treating carbuncles and swellings.

The seventh herb is acrid and neutral. It treats visual obstructions (cataracts/opacities) in the eyes; grind with vinegar to obtain juice for eye drops.

The eighth herb is acrid, neutral, and heavy. It descends heat, pacifies the Liver, calms the Heart, and cures mania. Iron filings struck off are called Tie Luo; those that fly up are called Tie Jing; rust on vessels is called Xiu; substances extracted by soaking in salt and vinegar are called Tie Hua. Although their forms differ in rising or sinking, their functions are largely identical. Zhen Sha (Needle Sand): Reduces swelling and softens hardness, treats edema and jaundice; humans must use with caution.

The ninth herb is sweet and warm. It anchors deficient Yang, repels evil Yin pathogens, and treats Yin malaria and chronic dysentery. It should be boiled, ground, clarified, and the powder used.

The tenth herb is sweet, acrid, and slightly warm. It warms the Lungs and moistens dryness, treating lung abscesses that have ulcerated and failed to heal for a long time, as well as coughing and rebellious Qi. It should be finely ground for use.

The eleventh herb is sweet, acrid, and slightly warm. It anchors deficiency and frailty, specifically warms the Blood Chamber, treats deficiency-cold of the Sea of Blood causing infertility over many years, and is a specific medicine for warming the uterus. It should be processed with vinegar and water using the levigation method.

The twelve herb is sweet and cool. Its red color corresponds to Fire, it enters the Heart meridian to calm the Heart and Spirit, and repels evil influences. It should be finely ground and levigated with water. Excessive or exclusive use causes dullness.

The thirteenth herb is acrid, cold, and yin-toxic. Its function is specialized in killing parasites. Its slippery and heavy nature penetrates directly into flesh, entering easily; use with caution.

The fourteenth herb is acrid, cold, and dry-toxic. It kills parasites, treats sores, resolves phlegm, and promotes menstruation. It is formed by refining Mercury with salt and alum; it should not be used lightly. Fen Shuang (Calomel): Its efficacy is roughly similar...