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Magnetite (Cishi)

Taste: Acrid, Salty; Nature: Cold; Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Primarily treats Zhou Bi (Zhou Bi syndrome, a type of bi-syndrome where wind-dampness pathogens flow up and down along the vessels causing pain throughout the body). Minister Yuxi et al., according to the Shu edition annotation, state: Any bi-syndrome that follows the blood vessels moving up and down, unable to be expelled left or right, is called Zhou Bi. It treats pain in limbs and joints caused by wind-dampness, inability to hold objects, sensation of cold and soreness, clears excessive heat, relieves irritability and fullness, treats deafness, nourishes the Kidney organ, strengthens bone qi, benefits essence, eliminates irritability, unblocks joint passages, dissipates carbuncles and swellings, treats shu luo (scrofula/lymph node tuberculosis), neck masses, sore throat, and pediatric convulsions. Drinking refined magnetite water can also facilitate conception for the infertile. Also known as Xuan Shi (Black Stone) or Chu Shi (Place Stone). Grows in the valleys of Mount Tai and on the shady north side of Ci Mountain; it grows on the sunny side where iron deposits exist. Collection time is unrestricted. (Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) acts as an assistant drug; it neutralizes iron toxicity; contraindicated with Mudan Pi (Moutan Cortex) and Mang Cao (Aconitum carmichaelii root processed); fears Huang Shi Zhi (Yellow Earth Lip)).

Tao Hongjing states: It is also found in the south now. The best quality can suspend and attract needles; suspending three or four needles is ideal. It neutralizes iron toxicity and dissolves gold. It is frequently used in *Xian Jing* (Immortal Classics), *Dan Fang* (Alchemy Prescriptions), and *Huang Bai Shu* (Alchemical Techniques). Minister Yuxi et al., according to the Shu edition annotation, say: Attracting ten or more needles loosely, or even one or two jin of knives and utensils, rotating without falling off, demonstrates high quality. *Nan Zhou Yi Wu Zhi* (Records of Strange Things from the Southern Regions) says: In Zhanghai Qitou, the water is shallow and rich in magnetite. Outsiders lining their boats with iron sheets cannot pass this checkpoint due to the magnetic attraction. Wu Shi says: Magnetite is also called Ci Jun (Magnetic Lord). *Yao Xing Lun* (Discussion on Drug Properties) states: Magnetite is a minister drug, salty taste, slightly toxic. It tonifies male kidney deficiency, wind-deficiency, stiff body, and lumbar dysfunction; add it to formulas for use. Chen Cangqi says: Ci Mao (Magnetite Hair/Fibrous Magnetite), salty taste, warm nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats healing of severed injuries, boosts yang pathways, stops frequent white urination, treats waist and foot conditions, removes scar tissue from sores, promotes skin growth, aids conception, and is suitable for wine infusion. Originates from North Mountain in Xiangzhou. Ci Mao is the mother of iron; extracting iron is like a mother calling her children. *Ben Jing* mentions only Magnetite, not Ci Mao. Their functions and forms differ significantly. Furthermore, stating Magnetite is cold is erroneous. Ri Huazi says: Magnetite, sweet and astringent taste, neutral nature. Treats blurry vision, weak sinews and bones, tonifies five labors and seven injuries, eliminates irritability, reduces swelling and toxins, and helps expel swallowed needles or iron in children. Grind into fine powder; ensure muscles and sinews are not severed, swallow together with Magnetite to expel.

*TU JING* (Illustrated Classic) states: Magnetite grows in the valleys of Mount Tai and on the shady north side of Ci Mountain; it grows on the sunny side where iron exists. It is currently found in Cizhou, Xuzhou, and mountains near the South Sea. The annual tribute from Cizhou is the best; those that loosely attract ten or more needles, or one or two jin of knives/utensils rotating without falling, are particularly authentic. Collection time is unrestricted. Stones with holes have yellow-red interiors and fine hairs on top; these are warm in nature and more effective. According to *Nan Zhou Yi Wu Zhi*: In Zhanghai Qitou, shallow waters abound with magnetite; large foreign ships lined with iron sheets often cannot pass. Thus, southern seas produce abundant quantities. Note that Magnetite is also called Xuan Shi. Below, there is a separate entry for Xuan Shi, stating it grows on the sunny side of Mount Tai, while copper is on the shady side. Copper is yin (female), iron is yang (male). Therapeutic effects are similar, but cold/warm natures and interactions with copper/iron differ. Su Gong considers it solidified iron fluid. Magnetite without holes, pure black and glossy, has inferior efficacy compared to standard Magnetite and cannot suspend needles. Northern barbarians use such glossy stones as gifts; they lack strong attraction and are suspected to be this inferior stone, rarely used in medical prescriptions.

Lei Gong states: When using, do not mistake Xuan Zhong Shi or Zhong Ma Shi for Magnetite. These two resemble Magnetite but do not attract iron. Zhong Ma Shi has a hollow heart and rough skin; it is an iron mountain stone. Ingestion causes incurable malignant sores. To verify: One jin of Magnetite attracting one jin of iron from all sides is named Yan Nian Sha (Longevity Sand); attracting eight liang is Xu Cai Shi (Continuing Harvest Stone); attracting less than five liang is simply Ci Shi (Magnetite). For processing one jin: Use one yi of Wu Hua Pi (Five-Flower Bark), one yi of Di Yu (Sanguisorbae Radix), and fifteen liang of old cotton. Chop finely, pound on a stone into 20-30 pieces. Place Magnetite in a porcelain bottle, add herbs, boil in east-flowing water for three days and nights. Strain, dry, wrap in cloth, pound again against a large stone until fine. Grind in a mortar with human milk until dust-like. Suspend in water, decant the fine suspension, and grind into powder for use. *Sheng Hui Fang*: Treat pediatric swallowed needles. Use Magnetite the size of a jujube pit, polish smooth, drill a hole, thread with silk, let the child hold it in the mouth; the needle will emerge naturally. *Wai Tai Mi Yao*: Treat ding zhong (carbuncles/furuncles). Pound Magnetite into powder, mix with strong vinegar, apply as a poultice; the root will emerge immediately, curing the condition. Chancellor Qian’s Box Prescription for swallowed coins: Hold a jujube-sized piece of Magnetite in the mouth; the coin will be expelled immediately. *Gui Yi Fang*: Treat traumatic wounds with evisceration. Mix three liang each of Magnetite and Talcum Powder (Hua Shi), take one cun bi with rice water decoction, twice daily. Shen Kuo’s *Bi Tan*: Magnetite points south. *Dan Fang Jing Yuan*: Four liang of Magnetite, combined with other substances, can stabilize Cinnabar, nurture Mercury, remove copper turbidity, and harden soft/hard mercury. Long-term ingestion is inadvisable; excessive use causes severe harm. Qing Xia Zi: Ci Mao treats kidney diseases.

*YAN YI* states: Magnetite is light purple, cracked and rough on the surface, attracts and connects needles and iron, commonly called Tie Shi (Iron Stone). It nourishes Kidney Qi, fills essence and marrow, and is used for Kidney deficiency-induced deafness and blurry vision. For medicinal use, it must be heated red-hot and quenched in vinegar. Xuan Shi is the black variety of Magnetite, usually smooth and clean. Their therapeutic bodies are largely similar with minor differences; they should not be separated into two distinct categories. Sharpened needle tips point south but often deviate slightly eastward. The method: Take a single thread from new cotton batting, attach half a mustard seed-sized wax dot to the center of the needle, hang it in a windless place; the needle will consistently point south. Thread the needle through a rush pith and float it on water; it also points south but often deviates to the Bing position. This is because Bing represents Great Fire, and Geng/Xin Metal is controlled by Metal’s regulation, resulting in this phenomenon due to physical mutual induction.