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Shiyan (Stony Swallow Stone)

Boiling it in water to obtain the decoction for drinking is effective for treating Lin syndrome (dysuria characterized by frequent, urgent, and painful urination). For women experiencing difficult labor, holding one in each hand yields immediate results. It originates from Lingling.

The *Tang Bencao* annotation states: Folk legends claim that it emerges from stone caves during thunderstorms and flies down with the rain; this is absurd. In Yongzhou, Qiyang County, 115 li northwest of the county seat, on earthen mounds, digging more than one zhang deep allows for its extraction. Its shape resembles a clam but is smaller, hard and heavy like stone.臣 Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to the *Shu Bencao* annotation: The *Erya* states: "The small ones of the Luó (snail/shellfish family) are called 'Han' (pronounced 'han')." Current examination of Chen Cangqi's *Bencao* states: Shiyan treats Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome); boiling it with water buffalo horn and nose for drinking is used. Using the nose of a naturally dead buffalo is inferior to using one from a buffalo that died after falling off a cliff. (This item is appended to the *Tang Bencao*).臣 Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to Xiao Bing: There is another creature living in milk caves that feeds on milk, also named Shiyan, resembling a bat with a square mouth, a vital qi-generated entity. Ri Huazi states: Shiyan is cool in nature and non-toxic. It is produced in caves in southern soils; those that are condensed and hard like stone are superior.

The *Tujing* states: Shiyan originates from Lingling Commandery. Currently, it is found on the sandy beaches beside the river in Qiyang County, Yongzhou. Its shape resembles a clam but is smaller; in fact, it is stone. Some say it grows in mountain caves and flies out due to lightning, falling onto the sand and transforming into stone; whether this is accurate remains uncertain. Currently, people use it to facilitate childbirth, instructing parturient women to hold one in each hand, after which the infant descends shortly. Collection has no fixed time.

The *Shiliao* states: Those found in milk cave stone holes can be eaten when collected in winter. Those collected in other months are only suitable for treating disease and not for consumption. Furthermore, treatment methods: Take fourteen pieces of Shiyan, stir-fry them until cooked with five flavors, soak them in one dou of wine for three days, then drink one or two cups at bedtime each night, adjusted according to tolerance. It greatly tonifies and benefits, promotes appetite, and strengthens physical power. The *Shenghui Fang*: Treats Shang Han (cold damage), abdominal distension and fullness in the lower abdomen, and urinary retention. Use Shiyan, pounded and sieved into powder, taken at any time, mixed with scallion white decoction, half qian per dose, until urination flows freely. The *Jianyao Jizhong Fang*: Treats Lin disease. Seven Shiyan seeds, pounded to the size of millet grains, combined with three liang of fresh mulberry root bark (cut into bean-sized pieces), mixed evenly, divided into seven doses. Decoct one dose in one sheng of water until reduced to seven fen, remove dregs, take one dose on an empty stomach and one dose before noon. The *Lingyuan Fang*: Treats chronic Changfeng hemorrhoids lasting ten to twenty years without healing, sallow complexion, loss of taste in food, as well as visceral injury, frequent diarrhea, continuous diarrhea during summer months, various types of dribbling urine, chronic Xiao Ke, turbid menstruation in women, red and white leukorrhea lasting many years without healing; it governs all sorts of visceral diseases. Wash Shiyan cleanly, brush off mud, and store. Take one piece daily on an empty stomach, grind it in a hard, oil-free porcelain vessel with warm water, and ingest. If it is the size of a bullet丸 (pellet), divide into three doses; adjust size accordingly based on patient condition, taking another dose after evening meal. If preparing as a powder, first pound and sieve into fine powder. Add Cishi (Magnetite) [after removing iron filings from the pestle], place in a hard porcelain mortar, grind finely with a hard pestle, process by levigation (water flying), collect the white juice resembling rice washings, settle, decant water, and dry in the sun. Take half qian to one qian per dose, mixed with clear rice drink or warm water. This formula specifically treats chronic Changfeng hemorrhoids; it must be taken continuously without interruption. After one month of administration, all diseases will heal.

The *Yanyi* states: Shiyan currently used resembles clams or cockles, colored like soil, hard and heavy like stone. Since it lacks wings, how can it fly out of stone caves? Why does it only fall onto sandy beaches? This explanation is close to absurdity. The *Tang Bencao* annotation notes: Extracted from earthen mounds in Yongzhou by digging one zhang deep. Shape resembles a clam but smaller, heavy like stone; thus, this is a distinct entity, and other descriptions should not be accepted. It is frequently used in medicines for treating deficiency and accumulation.