味辛、甘,性冷,无毒。治心热烦躁,并五脏宿滞、症结。明目,退膈上虚热,消
肿毒。此即朴硝炼成者。(新补见《药性论》并日华子。)
仙经∶以朴硝制伏为玄明粉。朴硝是太阴之精华,水之子也。阴中有阳之药。太阴号曰
玄
,内搜众疾,功莫大焉。治一切热毒风,搜冷, 癖气胀满,五劳七伤,骨蒸传尸,头痛烦
热,搜除恶疾,五脏秘涩,大小肠不通,三焦热淋,疰忤疾,咳嗽呕逆,口苦干涩,咽喉闭
塞,心、肝、脾、肺脏胃积热,惊悸,健忘,荣卫不调,中酒中脍,饮食过度,腰膝冷痛,
手脚酸,久冷久热,四肢壅塞,背膊拘急,眼昏目眩,久视无力,肠风痔病,血癖不调。妇
人产后,小儿疳气,阴毒伤寒,表里疫疠等疾,并悉治之。此药久服令人身轻耳明,驻颜延
寿。急解毒药,补益,妙。唐明皇帝闻说终南山有道士刘玄真,服食此药,遂诏而问曰∶朕
闻卿寿约三百岁,服食何药,得住世间,充悦如此。玄真答曰∶臣按《仙经》修炼朴硝,号
玄明粉,只服此药,遂无病长生。其药无滓,性温,能除众疾。生饵尚能救急难性命,何况
修炼长服。益精壮气,助阳证阴。不拘丈夫妇人,幼稚襁褓,不问四时冷热,即食后冷热俱
治。一两分为十二服,但临时酌量加减。似觉壅热,伤寒,头痛鼻塞,四肢不举,饮食不下
,烦闷气胀,不论昼夜急疾,要宣泻求安,即看年纪高下,用药一分或至半两,酌量加减,
用桃花汤下为使,最上;次用葱汤下;如未通宣,更以汤一碗或两碗,投之即验。自然调补
如常
。要微畅不秘涩,但长服之,稍稍得力,朝服暮服,应不搜刮人五脏,怡怡自泰。其药初服
之时,每日空腹,酒饮茶汤任下三钱匕,食后良久更下三钱匕。七日内常微泻利黄黑水涎沫
等,此是搜淘诸疾根本出去,勿用畏之。七日后渐觉腹脏暖,消食下气,唯忌食苦参或食诸
鱼、藕菜。饮食诸毒药解法,用葱白煎汤一茶碗,调玄明粉两钱顿服之,其诸毒药立泻下。
若女人身怀六甲,长服安胎,诞孩子生日,无疮肿疾病。长服除故养新,气血日安。如有偶
中毒物,取地胆一分,荠 、犀角各半两,服之立解。如长服,用大麻汤下为使。此药偏暖
水脏,女人服,补血脉,及治骨蒸五劳,惊悸健忘,热毒风等,服之立愈。令人悦泽,开关
健脾,轻身延寿,驻精神,明目。诸余功效不可具载,有传在太阴经中。朴硝二斤,须是白
净者,以瓷炉一个叠实,却以瓦一片盖炉,用十斤炭火一 ,炉口不盖,着炭一条,候沸定
了,方盖之,复以十五斤炭 之。放冷一伏时,提炉出药,以纸摊在地上,盆盖之一伏时,
日晒取干。入甘草二两,生熟用,细捣罗为末。
Pungent and sweet in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. Treats heart-heat with irritability, as well as stagnation in the five zang organs and mass formations (zheng jie). Brightens the eyes, clears deficiency-heat above the diaphragm, and reduces swelling and toxicity. This is refined from Puxiao (Mirabilite). (Newly added content appears in *Yaoxing Lun* and the works of Ri Huazi.)
The Immortal Canon states: Xuanmingfen is prepared by processing Puxiao. Puxiao is the essence of Taiyin (the spleen/lung qi mechanism), the son of water. It is a medicine that contains yang within yin. Taiyin is called "Xuan" (Mysterious), which internally searches out various diseases; its efficacy is unparalleled. It treats all kinds of wind-heat-toxins, searches out cold accumulations, pi-mass (fixed masses) with distension and fullness, wulao qishang (five exhaustions and seven injuries), bone-steaming tuberculosis (chuan shi), headache with fever, searches out evil diseases, constipation of the five zang organs, obstruction of the large and small intestines, heat-strangury of the sanjiao, zhu-wu disease (infectious or miasmic diseases), cough with vomiting and reflux, dry mouth and throat, throat obstruction, accumulation of heat in the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and stomach, palpitations, forgetfulness, disharmony of ying and wei, alcohol intoxication or overconsumption of meat, dietary excess, cold pain in the lower back and knees, soreness and weakness of hands and feet, chronic cold or heat, obstruction of the four limbs, stiffness of the back and shoulders, blurred vision and dizziness, weakness after prolonged eye use, intestinal wind with hemorrhoids, blood stasis with irregular menstruation. For postpartum women, children with gan-qi (malnutrition syndrome), yin-poison shaoyin disease, epidemic diseases affecting both interior and exterior, it treats all these conditions. Long-term use of this medicine makes the body light and the ears clear, preserves youth, and prolongs life. In emergencies to detoxify and for tonification, it is miraculous. Emperor Ming of Tang heard that Daoist Liu Xuenzhen in Zhongnan Mountain consumed this medicine, so he issued an edict to ask: "I hear you live to about three hundred years old. What medicine do you consume to remain in the world so vigorous and joyful?" Xuenzhen replied: "According to the Immortal Canon, I refine Puxiao into Xuanmingfen. By consuming only this medicine, I have no illness and achieve longevity. This medicine has no dregs, is warm in nature, and eliminates various diseases. Even raw consumption can save lives in emergencies, let alone refined long-term use. It benefits essence and strengthens qi, assists yang and verifies yin. It applies to men and women, young and old, regardless of seasonal cold or heat, treating conditions after meals whether cold or hot. Divide one liang into twelve doses, adjusting according to circumstances. If one feels obstructed heat, shaoyin disease, headache with nasal congestion, inability to move limbs, difficulty eating, restlessness and abdominal distension, regardless of day or night urgency, requiring purgation for relief, adjust the dose based on age from one fen to half a liang. Administer with Taohua Tang (Peach Blossom Decoction) as the best vehicle; secondly with Congtang (Scallion Decoction); if not yet unobstructed, administer another bowl or two of decoction immediately for effect. Natural regulation and tonification resume as usual. To ensure slight bowel movement without constipation, long-term use gradually takes effect. Morning and evening administration will not deplete the five zang organs, leaving one peaceful and content. When first taking this medicine, take three qianbi on an empty stomach daily with wine, drink, or tea, and another three qianbi long after meals. Within seven days, mild diarrhea with yellow-black watery saliva may occur; this is the expulsion of the root causes of various diseases, do not fear it. After seven days, the abdomen and viscera gradually feel warm, digestion improves, and qi descends. Avoid bitter sophora root (Kushen) or any fish, lotus root, and vegetables. The antidote for dietary poisons is to decoct scallion whites in one teacup of water, mix with two qian of Xuanmingfen, and take at once; various poisons are immediately purged. For pregnant women, long-term use calms the fetus; upon delivery, there are no sores or diseases. Long-term use removes the old and nourishes the new, stabilizing qi and blood daily. In case of accidental poisoning, take one fen of Dichan (Euphorbia kansui), half a liang of Qini (Nephrolepis rhizome) and Xijiao (Rhinoceros Horn), and the poison is instantly resolved. For long-term maintenance, administer with Damatang (Hemp Seed Decoction) as the vehicle. This medicine specifically warms the water organ; for women, it nourishes blood vessels and treats bone-steaming wulao, palpitations, forgetfulness, and wind-heat-toxin, with immediate recovery. It enhances complexion, opens orifices, strengthens the spleen, lightens the body, prolongs life, conserves spirit, and brightens the eyes. Other effects cannot be fully listed; some are recorded in the Taiyin Jing. Take two jin of Puxiao, ensuring it is white and clean. Place it in a solidly stacked porcelain furnace, cover the furnace mouth with a tile, and burn with ten jin of charcoal. Do not cover the furnace mouth initially; place one piece of charcoal inside. Wait until boiling stabilizes, then cover it, and add fifteen jin of charcoal to cover completely. Allow to cool for one fu period (approx. 2 hours). Remove the medicine from the furnace, spread it on paper on the ground, cover with a basin for one fu period, and sun-dry to obtain dry powder. Add two liang of Gancao (Licorice Root), used raw or processed, finely pounded and sieved into powder."