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Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum)

Taste: Acrid, Sweet. Nature: Slightly Cold to Greatly Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats wind-stroke with alternating cold and heat, rebellious Qi in the epigastrium causing palpitations and panting, dry mouth and scorched tongue, inability to breathe smoothly, hardness and pain in the abdomen; expels evil spirits (referring to mental abnormalities or inexplicable strange diseases), treats postpartum lactation disorders, metal wounds (traumas caused by metal instruments), eliminates seasonal epidemics, relieves headache and fever, clears excessive heat in the San Jiao (Triple Burner) and skin heat, unblocks stagnant Qi in the intestines and stomach, has the effect of resolving the muscle layer and inducing sweating, stops thirst (Xiao Ke), relieves irritability and rebellious Qi, abdominal distension, sudden panting, burning sensation in the throat, and can also be used as a medicinal bath decoction. Also known as Xi Shi (Fine Stone). Those with fine texture and bright white luster are of good quality; yellow ones cause Lin syndrome (dysuria). Originates from the valleys of Qi Mountain, as well as Qilu Mountain and Lumen Mountain. Collection time is unrestricted. (Egg white acts as an adjuvant; incompatible with Mangcao (Aconitum brachypodum root) and Maimu Du Gong.)

Tao Hongjing stated: The mountains of the two commanderies refer to Qingzhou and Xuzhou. Currently, it is produced in Qiantang County, all found underground, often emerging naturally after rain. The collected pieces resemble chess pieces, with those that are white and translucent being the best. Those from Pengcheng are also good. Although there is much production along nearby roads, the large blocks are not as effective as the former. The *Immortal Classics* do not require this herb. The *Tang Bencao* annotation notes: Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Fangjieshi (Calcitum) are largely similar, differing mainly in whether they are broken. Currently, market people use Fangjieshi to replace Shigao, and true Shigao is rarely seen. Shigao grows beside rocks, whereas Fangjieshi does not grow attached to rocks but stands alone. Large pieces are like sheng (a unit of volume), small ones like fists; some are buried in soil, others grow in streams. Their surfaces have colors from soil and water moss. When broken, they split into square shapes, with large pieces being one chi square. People now use this as Shigao; although treating wind-heat and removing heat are similar, its ability to resolve the muscle layer and induce sweating is inferior to true Shigao. Chen Yuxi, according to *Yaoxing Lun*, states: Shigao, adjuvant, incompatible with Badou (Crotonis Fructus), fears iron. It can treat headache like splitting due to Shanghan (Cold Damage), high fever with skin hot and dry like fire, irritability and thirst, resolves the muscle layer, and expels toxic sweat. It treats stagnation in the stomach, irritability, urgency in the epigastrium, and restlessness. Treats dry lips and scorched tongue. Decocted with green onion and drunk as tea to remove headaches. Xiao Bing said: Shigao is a minister herb. Chen Cangqi said: Tao mentioned it comes from Qiantang County. Verification: Qiantang is in flat land and has no Shigao; Tao's note is incorrect. Su Gong further annotated Wushizhi (Five Earth Minerals): Among Wushizhi, there is another Shigao, resembling bone and jade-like in firmness and moisture; taking it surpasses Zhongru (Stalactite). This Shigao is merely named the same as the latter; they should not be confused. Ri Huazi said: Treats epidemic heat mania, promotes lactation, dizziness from head wind, heart irritability, rubbing teeth benefits them. Transparent ones with textures like Yunmu (Mica) are superior, also known as Fangjieshi.

*Tujing* states: Shigao originates from the valleys of Qi Mountain, Qilu Mountain, and Lumen Mountain. Currently, it is also found in Fenzhou, Mengzhou, Guozhou, Yaozhou, and Xingyuan Prefecture. It grows on mountain rocks, with colors extremely bright white; yellow ones are unsuitable. This stone is very similar to Fangjieshi, and true Shigao is hard to obtain nowadays. When using, only select unbroken pieces to distinguish them. Fangjieshi does not grow attached to rocks but stands alone; its outer skin has soil and water moss colors, and when broken, it forms square edges. Shigao is naturally bright and lustrous like jade, which is the difference. Collection time is unrestricted. Fangjieshi was previously listed in the lower grade. *Benjing* states: Grows in Fangshan. Tao Hongjing considered it Changshi (Longstone), also named Fangshi, with similar therapeutic effects, suspecting it to be the same substance. Su Gong said: Its heat-clearing effect is not inferior to Shigao. If so, it seems interchangeable, but it is less effective for head wind than Shigao. Additionally, southern physicians currently hold a view: According to Materia Medica, Shigao and Fangjieshi are largely similar, but Fangjieshi does not grow attached to rocks and stands alone. It is also said that market people use Fangjieshi to replace Shigao, and true Shigao is rarely seen. Tao Hongjing also said: Shigao is all underground, emerging after rain like chess pieces, which implies it does not grow attached to rocks. These two statements contradict each other, and it is unknown which is correct. Upon detailed examination, since Shigao shares the same texture, shape, and rigidity/flexibility with Fangjieshi, differing only in attachment to rocks, how could their efficacy differ? It is speculated that what is currently used as Shigao or Fangjieshi is actually Fangjieshi, while Shigao is a different substance. In current Shigao, there are occasionally pieces that are crystal clear and lovely, with longitudinal grains but not splitting into squares; enthusiasts sometimes mistake these for Shigao, yet according to Materia Medica, they resemble Changshi. Others argue that between bluish stones, there are often white veins penetrating through, resembling meat with fat, called Shigao; this is what Materia Medica refers to as Lishi (Marble). However, it is unknown what Shigao definitely is. For now, we follow the market practice of using Fangjieshi, but scholars of natural history should rigorously verify the facts. Currently, in the southeast corner of Jiuxian Mountain in Mizhou, a type of stone emerges from the ground, blue-white and brittle, producing sparks when struck, called Yuhuoshi (Jade Fire Stone), commonly used by local doctors. It is said to taste sweet and slightly acrid, be warm in nature. It treats Shanghan by inducing sweating and stops dizziness and headache, with efficacy equal to Shigao. Locals sometimes use it instead of Shigao, so it is appended here.

Lei Gong said: When using, do not use Fangjieshi. Although Fangjieshi is white, it is not transparent and has a drying nature. If Shigao comes from Yiqing Mountain in Ming Shan County, Yan Zhou, its color is clean and bright like rock crystal, and its nature is excellent. When preparing it, first pound it into powder in a stone mortar, sieve it through a cloth bag, fly-grind it with raw Gancao (Licorice Root) water, let the water dry, and grind it again before use. *Waitai Miyao* states: Bone-steaming is also called internal steaming. The term "internal" implies external cold and internal heat attaching to the bones. The root lies within the five zang and six fu organs, or the skin is dry without luster. During peak steaming, limbs gradually thin, and the dorsum of the foot swells. Take 10 parts of Shigao, grind like milk method, mix with water, and take one cun cube dose, twice daily, until the body feels cool. *Zhouhou Beifang* by Ge Shi treats sudden frequent urination (not Lin syndrome) causing emaciation. Use half a jin of Shigao, crushed, boiled in ten dou of water to yield five sheng, drink slowly five he. *Meishi Fang*: Treats burns from hot oil, boiling water, or fire, unbearable pain. Take Shigao, crush into fine powder, and apply as dust; the wound heals. *Zimu Milu*: Treats lack of lactation. Use three liang of Shigao, boil in two sheng of water for three boils. Drink completely over three days; miraculous. *Taishang Badi Xuansheng Jing*: Shigao induces sweating. *Danfang Jingyuan*: Shigao from Guizhou can precipitate mercury. *Bieshuo* says: Carefully following Tao's statement that it comes from mountains in Qiantang, emerging after rain. Now people in Qiantang mine mountains to extract it, producing much, grinding it into powder for dental products. Zhejiang people call it Hanshui Shi (Cold Water Stone), but it is most superior for medicinal use compared to other regions. Since it is now mined from rocks, it grows attached to rocks, thus it is Shigao. Chen Cangqi said Qiantang County is in flat land with no Shigao; thus, it is clear that Chen did not know Qiantang.

*Yanyi* states: Regarding Shigao, the two books debate without resolution, and the principle is not fully understood. Detailed examination shows *Benjing* originally had no text on Fangjieshi, solely because of the *Tang Bencao* annotation... *Benjing* states: Grows in valleys of Qi Mountain, and Qilu Mountain, Lumen Mountain. Collection time is unrestricted, indicating that sources from other places are incorrect. Now *Tujing* includes those from Fenzhou, and previous and later scholars were not detailed. *Benjing* states that those with fine texture and bright white luster are good; thus, if not so, it is not Shigao. In the section on Lishi below, *Benjing* says: Fine like Shigao with顺着 grain, which clarifies this. What is currently referred to as Shigao and Fangjieshi, how many have fine顺着 grains and bright white luster? Having these means it is Shigao; lacking them means it is not. Furthermore, it must be from the provinces mentioned in *Benjing* to be suitable for medicine; the rest are biased views and can be ignored. In Zhang Zhongjing's Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), it works miraculously. The New Correction of Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* postscript states that using Baihu Tang after April when weather is hot is correct. However, climates vary across regions, and annual qi movements differ. Given different locations, although the theory is elegant, at this time, double scrutiny is appropriate. If it is Shanghan heat disease, or after profuse sweating, with surging pulse, restless mouth and tongue, headache, and incessant great thirst; or suffering from summer-heat, body ache and fatigue, Baihu Tang taken will invariably be effective.