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Alum (Fan Shi)
Taste: sour; Nature: cold; Toxicity: non-toxic. It primarily treats alternating chills and fever, diarrhea and dysentery, leukorrhea (white vaginal discharge), genital ulcers, malignant sores, eye pain, strengthens bones and teeth, eliminates persistent heat in the bone marrow, and removes nasal polyps. After refining and taking it orally, it can make the body light, delay aging, and increase longevity. Qibo stated: Long-term consumption damages human bones. It can transform iron into copper. Also known as Yunie (Yu Nie) or Yuze (Yu Ze). It grows in the valleys of Hexi, as well as in Wudu and Shimen of Longxi. It can be harvested at any time. (Gancao [Licorice Root] serves as its guiding herb; it is incompatible with Muli [Oyster Shell].)

Tao Hongjing said: Currently, it is produced in the western rivers of northern Yizhou, coming from the Hexi region. Its color is blue-white; the unrefined form is called Machi Fan (Horse-Tooth Alum). The fully refined form is pure white; people in Shu also use it as Xiaoshi (Saltpeter), calling it Bai Fan (White Alum). The yellow-black variety is called Jishi Fan (Chicken-Dung Alum), which is not used for medicine but is suitable for plating; when mixed with Kujiu (Vinegar) and applied to iron, it turns copper-colored. Although the surface appears copper-like, the internal quality remains unchanged. The *Xian Jing* (Immortal Classic) uses it alone for oral ingestion, and alchemical formulas also employ it.

In secular medicine preparation, it is first boiled over fire until boiling and dry. When used to treat toothache, excessive amounts damage teeth, which is evidence of bone injury, contradicting the claim that it strengthens bones and teeth, thus causing doubt.

The *Xin Xiu Ben Cao* annotation states: There are five types of Alum: Qing Fan (Green Alum), Bai Fan (White Alum), Huang Fan (Yellow Alum), Hei Fan (Black Alum), and Jiang Fan (Red Alum). However, Bai Fan is mostly used in medicine. Qing Fan and Hei Fan treat gan accumulation (malnutrition/parasites) and various sores; Huang Fan also promotes flesh regeneration in sores and is used for leather tanning; Jiang Fan is originally green; when newly mined and not exposed to wind, it resembles glass. Tao Hongjing and modern practitioners call it Shidan (Stone Gall). After roasting, it turns red, hence the name Jiang Fan. It is produced in Guazhou. The current annotation regarding Tao's statement that Shu people use Bai Fan as Xiaoshi is incorrect. Ministers Yuxi et al. respectfully note according to *Yao Xing Lun*: The guiding herb for Alum is named Lishi. It fears Mahuang (Ephedra Herb) and has slight toxicity. It can treat shu lou (scrofula/tuberculous lymphadenitis), luo li (scrofula), epistaxis, bi yuan (nasal sinusitis), by holding in the mouth and swallowing saliva to treat acute throat obstruction (hou bi).

Ri Huazi said: Bai Fan has a cool nature. It dispels wind and fatigue, resolves phlegm and relieves thirst, warms the Water Organ (Kidney), treats stroke-induced aphonia, scabies, and tinea. Bathing with Taoren (Peach Kernel) and Cong Tang (Scallion Decoction) can induce sweating.

*TU Jing Ben Cao* states: Alum grows in the valleys of Hexi and Wudu/Shimen of Longxi. Currently, Bai Fan is produced in Jinzhou, Cizhou, and Wuwei Jun; Lv Fan (Green Alum/Vitriol) is produced in Xizhou Wenquan County and Chizhou Tongling County. These are places where alum is smelted. Initially, it is stone; after harvesting and crushing, it is smelted to become alum. There are five types: Huang Fan, Hei Fan, and Jiang Fan. Bai Fan is used for medicine and dyeing. Lv Fan is also used in throat/dental medicines and dyeing. Huang Fan is required by alchemists and sometimes used in medicine. Hei Fan comes only from Western Regions; the red variety is called Zao Fan, used in hair-dyeing medicines. Jiang Fan is originally green, also called Shidan, turns red when roasted, hence the name Jiang Fan, but is now rare. There are also Fan Jing (Alum Essence) and Fan Hudie (Alum Butterfly). During the refining of Bai Fan, when it boils extremely vigorously, splashes on the pan center fly out like objects. Catching them with an iron spoon forms insect shapes, called Fan Hudie. Those that form blocks bright and clear like crystal are called Fan Jing. Both are used in medicine and are more potent than common alum. There is also Liu Xu Fan (Willow-Catkin Alum), found in alum-producing areas, formed by smelting. It is light and hollow like cotton wadding, hence the name. It is considered the best among current medical materials.

Liu Yuxi's *Chuan Xin Fang* treats Qi Li (Qi-type Dysentery) with Bashishi Pill: Take one large jin of Bai Fan, burn it on a clean ground with charcoal fire until the juice is exhausted, then its color becomes like snow, called Bashishi. Grind one da liang finely, mix with cooked pork liver to make pills, take on an empty stomach with water; dosage varies with strength; buffalo liver is better. For vegetarians, steamed dough pills are also acceptable. Some say the blackish part of Bai Fan is called Bashishi.

It also treated dozens of cases of snake bites and scorpion stings. In the 13th year of Zhengyuan, two monks exiled south to Dengzhou were bitten by snakes. Using this method saved them; after applying the medicine, they recovered immediately without other suffering.

Another formula from Dr. Cui: Treats Jia Ju (Paronychia/Ingrown Nail). Caused by cutting nails injuring muscle or long nails invading flesh, leading to painful swelling. Narrow boots rub the swollen edges, causing yellow fluid to ooze, spreading infection, rotting all five fingers, gradually extending to the instep with blisters, resembling burns, worsening day and night, untreatable by standard methods. Use 5 liang of Lv Fan (Green Vitriol), which looks like Puxiao (Mirabilite) but is green. Place this substance on an iron plate, seal with charcoal, blow fire with a bag until hot. The alum boils, flowing out red liquid like molten gold—this is authentic. Wait for boiling to stop and juice to dry, remove from fire, cool, crush into powder, color like Huang Dan (Minium), store. First wash sore with salt water, dry, apply powder generously, wrap loosely with soft cloth. Fluid stops and sore dries on the same day. If pain is urgent, apply some butter to moisten. Once daily, wash pus with salt water, keep clean, avoid dry scabs. After washing, reapply medicine. Apply butter if painful. After five days, scab begins to peel. Continue washing and applying. After ten days, scabs fall off naturally. Soft areas may produce white pus blisters; pierce and apply medicine. Natural recovery ensues. Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Justice suffered this disease for sixty days, too weak to speak. Capital doctors visited and prescribed randomly, with no effect. Only this method worked miraculously, so recorded for enthusiasts. There is also Zao Jia Fan (Soap Pod Alum), used in medicine. Some say it is Lv Fan. *Chuan Xin Fang*: Treats Hou Bi (Throat Obstruction). Mix Zao Jia Fan with good rice vinegar or strong vinegar. Grind both together, swallow for immediate relief. If pain is on one side of the throat, lie on that side, hold near the painful spot without swallowing. Said to originate from Li Mo, very unique. Huang Fan in medicine, see Cui Yuanliang's *Hai Shang Fang* Biao Can Gao (Scar Removal Ointment): Roast Huang Fan until juice flows, stir-fry Hufen (Lead Carbonate) until yellow, each 8 fen, grind finely. Mix with pig fat from the twelfth lunar month, grind into paste. Rub raw cloth on scar to cause pain, then apply medicine five times. Also burn eagle droppings and grass from white swallow nests, mix ashes equally with human milk, apply. Scars disappear naturally, skin smoothens.

Lei Gong said: To process, place in a porcelain bottle, roast in fire until red inside and out. Lift lid with tongs, insert bee comb into the red bottle. Roast until comb is ash. Remove with tongs, cool, crush in mortar, grind to powder. Dig a pit five cun deep under the house. Wrap paper around the powder, leave in pit overnight. Remove and grind again. For every 10 liang processed, use 6 liang of bee combs. Also said: Select alum bright as crystal, with complete sour, salty, and astringent tastes. Grind to powder. Store in porcelain bottle (capacity up to 3 sheng). Seal bottle neck with Liu Yi Ni (Six-One Mud). Roast alum inside, drive off moisture with fire. Cover bottle, seal top and bottom with mud. Fire for 100 jin weight duration, from Si hour to Wei hour. Remove fire, take out Bai Fan bottle, cool, break open, retrieve Bai Fan. If roasted strongly, color becomes silver, naturally "subdues fire," weight unchanged. Grind fine as light powder before use. *Sheng Hui Fang*: Treats infant umbilical oozing and redness/swelling. Burn alum to ash, grind fine, apply externally. *Wai Tai Mi Yao*: Treats chest phlegm-stasis mass. 1 liang Alum, boil in 2 sheng water to 1 sheng, add half he of honey, take at once. If not vomiting soon, drink warm water. Another formula for eye nebula (cataract) and pterygium. Use finest white Alum, place grain-sized piece on nebula/pterygium. Induces tearing, wipe with cotton to remove bad fluids. Disease reduces daily, nebula thins and heals. Must use pure white high-quality Alum. *Qian Jin Fang*: Treats infant tongue sores preventing breastfeeding. Mix Bai Fan with egg white, dip in vinegar, apply to infant's soles. Heals in 14 days. Another formula for nasal polyps: Mix Alum powder with facial fat, wrap in cotton, insert into nose. Polyps expelled with medicine over several days. Another formula for gum bleeding: 1 liang Alum, boil in 3 sheng water to 1 sheng. Wipe teeth, hold in mouth. *Qian Jin Yi Fang* for genital itching/prolapse: Roast single ingredient Alum, grind to powder. Take on empty stomach with wine, causes qi rushing to heart. Bai Fan 2 liang, boil in 15 sheng water for 3-5 boils, soak feet. *Zhou Hou Fang*: Resuscitate sudden death with high fever. 0.5 jin Alum, boil in 1.5 dou water, soak feet and ankles until revival. Another formula for wind-stroke eye swelling/red eye: Roast 2 qian Alum, mix with date to make pill size of bullet. Rub on eyelids, stops after one meal period, three times daily. Another formula for ingrown nail on big toe causing ulcer unable to wear shoes: Roast Alum until juice dry, apply powder to ulcer. Consumes necrotic tissue, generates healthy flesh. Trim nail corner carefully, heals in ten days. Miraculous efficacy. Another formula for rabid dog bite: Sprinkle Alum powder into wound, bandage to stop pain, accelerates healing. Another formula for sudden deafness: Blow into ear with brush tube, 3-4 times daily, or pack cotton with alum in ear, immediate cure. Another formula for genital sores with pus: 1 liang Gaochang Bai Fan, grind to powder, mix with pig fat into ointment. Wash sore with Sophora root bark decoction, dry, apply. For loose teeth due to long-term decay: Wrap Alum in cotton, chew/suck, expectorate fluid. *Jing Yan Fang*: Treats urinary/fecal retention. Grind Bai Fan fine, have patient lie supine, fill navel with powder, drip fresh water. When patient feels cold penetration, abdomen naturally opens. If navel obliterated by moxibustion, draw ring on original moxa site with paper, fill with powder, drip water as above. Sun Simiao's Dietary Taboos: Treats scorpion sting. 1 liang Alum, half sheng vinegar, boil, drop Alum powder into vinegar, soak sting site. Wang Shi Bo Ji: Treats poisoning from donkey saliva/horse sweat. Flown Bai Fan, stir-fried Huang Dan (Minium) until purple, equal parts, mix, apply to lesion. Ling Yuan: Treats fractures. First use pain-relief method: Grind Bai Fan to powder, one spoonful, dissolve in bowl of boiling water, soak handkerchief, apply hot compress to injury. Pain stops shortly, then realign bones/tendons, apply plaster. Sun Yonghe: Treats prolapsed perineum/throat fullness. 1 liang Bai Fan, burn to ash, 1 liang Salt Flower. Grind fine, apply with chopstick tip to affected area, heals. *Zi Mu Mi Lu* for infant wind-rash: 12 fen Bai Fan, dissolve in warm wine, apply horse-tail hair wine. Yao Hezhong: Infant white membrane on eyeball. 1 fen Bai Fan, 4 he water, simmer in copper vessel to half he, add little white honey, filter through cotton, apply mustard-seed size drops, three times daily. Another formula: Newborn with skin membrane wrapping tongue/root. Pierce with fingernail to bleed, apply burnt Alum ash (half mung bean size). If not removed, child will be mute. Imperial Medical Bureau: Treats wind-dampness of legs/knees, deficiency sweating, weakness, pain, genital dampness. Burn Alum to ash, grind, one spoonful, dissolve in boiling water, wash painful areas. *Dan Fang Jing Yuan*: Zi Fan (Purple Alum/Vitriol) can refine mercury. *Yi Yuan*: Emperor Wu of Wei marched north against Tuntun, climbed ridge, saw barren hillside. Wang Can said: Ancient tomb; person took Alum in life, stone heat vaporized plants. Excavated, found large tomb filled with Alum. *Tai Ping Guang Ji*: Mirror poison kills humans, treated with Bai Fan. *Jian Yao Ji Zhong*: Tooth swelling/pain. 1 liang Bai Fan burned to ash, 1 liang Honeycomb slightly roasted, grind to powder. Use 2 qian, 1 cup water, boil ten times, rinse mouth with hot solution. *Yan Yi* states: Current Fanzhou Alum requires burning stone to extract, color only white, inferior to Jinzhou. Do not take in excess. This is the intent. Burnt to powder, applied to ingrown nails. Bleeding gums like epistaxis, application also heals.