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Zhi Shiying (Fluorite)

Taste: Sweet, Pungent. Nature: Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Primarily treats cough and counterflow qi in the heart and abdomen caused by pathogenic factors; tonifies deficiencies; treats women's infertility due to wind-cold invading the uterus, even after ten years; treats upper qi, heart and abdominal pain, cold-heat pathogenic factors, and stagnant qi; tonifies deficiency of Heart Qi, calms palpitations and fright, stabilizes the Hun and Po, fills the Lower Jiao, stops Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome), eliminates chronic cold in the stomach, dissipates carbuncles and swellings, and promotes a lustrous complexion. Long-term use warms the Middle Jiao, lightens the body, and prolongs life. Origin: Valleys of Mount Tai. Collection time: Anytime. (Changshi is its assistant herb; combined with Fuling, Renshen, and Shaoyao, it treats stagnant qi in the heart; combined with Tianxiong and Changpu, it treats Huoluan; incompatible with Bianqing, Fuzi, Jia, Huanglian, and Maijujiang.)

Tao Hongjing stated: Currently, the most used is stone from Mount Tai, which is deep-colored and transparent, with roots below. The next best comes from Baoling Mountain, which is also good. There is also Nancheng stone, which has no roots. There is Qingmian stone, which is also dark black but not transparent. There is Linyi stone, which must have an object inside resembling an eye. Wuxing stone has purple color only on four sides and lacks luster. Kuaiji Zhuji stone resembles pomegranate seeds in shape and color. Previously, these were used indiscriminately. Now, manufacturers of pills and powders select them, finding Mount Tai the best; those from other places can be used for pills or wine infusions. The *Xian Jing* does not formally use it, but it is valued by secular prescriptions.臣 Yuxi et al. carefully followed Wu Shi's statement: Zhi Shiying, according to Shen Nong and Bian Que: Taste sweet, nature neutral. Ji Shi: Greatly cold. Lei Gong: Greatly warm. Qibo: Sweet, non-toxic. Origin: Mount Tai or Kuaiji. Collection criteria: Desired to be cut-like, with purple color reaching the head, resembling Chupu (a game piece). *Yao Xing Lun* states: Zhi Shiying is the Sovereign herb. Women taking it can conceive; it primarily nourishes Lung Qi, treats Jing Xian (convulsions and epilepsy), erodes pus, and addresses deficiency-induced palpitations and unrest when added to formulas. *Lingnan Lu Yi* states: Longzhou mountains have much Zhi Shiying, pale purple in color, crystal clear in texture, with five edges regardless of size, arrowhead-shaped at both ends. Boiled as water for drinking, it is warming and non-toxic. Its efficacy is double that of Bai Shiyng from the North. Ri Hua Zi stated: Zhi Shiying treats carbuncles, swellings, and toxins; quench in vinegar, grind into powder, decoct with fresh ginger and rice vinegar, and apply externally. Massage is also effective.

*TUJING* states: Zhi Shiyng originates from valleys of Mount Tai, now also found in Lingnan and Kuaiji mountains. Carefully following *Wu Pu Ben Cao*: Zhi Shiyng originates from Mount Tai and Kuaiji, desired to be cut-like, with purple color reaching the head, resembling Chupu. Tao Hongjing stated: Mount Tai stone, deep-colored, transparent, with roots, is the best. Kuaiji stone, resembling pomegranate seeds in shape and color, is the worst. Previously used indiscriminately, now only Mount Tai stone is used; others from other places can be made into pills or wine infusions. Also following: *Lingbiao Lu Yi* states: Currently, Longzhou mountains have much Zhi Shiyng, pale purple in color. Crystal clear in texture, with five edges regardless of size, arrowhead-shaped at both ends. Boiled as water for drinking, it is warming and non-toxic, with efficacy double that of Bai Shiyng from the North. Thus, Zhi Shiyng from Mount Tai, Kuaiji, and Lingnan has been used for a long time. *Rushi Lun* does not mention single-use of Zhi Shi; only Wushi San uses it universally. Zhang Wenzhong had a method for calming the Heart by single-use boiled Zhi Shiyng. Hu Qia and *Qianjin Fang* mostly use it mixed with other herbs. Currently, physicians use it mainly in prescriptions for women's diseases and Heart diseases.

*Shenghui Fang*: Tonifies deficiency and fatigue, stops palpitations, promotes appetite. Zhi Shiyng 5 liang, crushed to rice/bean size, washed once with water, decocted in one dou of water until two sheng remain, filtered and clarified, taken slowly in small sips, or cooked into porridge/soup. After finishing, decoct again. Qingxiazi stated: Zhi Shiyng lightens the body and fills the muscles.

*Yanyi* stated: Zhi Shiyng is clear like rock crystal, purple in color but uneven. Zhang Zhongjing's Fengyin Tang for treating wind-heat convulsions and Jing Xian convulsions contains: Zhi Shiyng, Bai Shiyng, Hanshui Shi, Shigao, Ganjiang, Dahuang, Longchi, Muli, Gancao, Huashi in equal parts. Mix and crush, decoct in one sheng of water until reduced by one-third, take warm in appropriate amounts after meals without dregs. Effective in all cases.

Qingshi Zhi, Chishi Zhi, Huangshi Zhi, Baishi Zhi, Heishi Zhi, etc.

Taste: Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Indications: Primarily treat Huang Dan (jaundice), Xie Li (diarrhea/dysentery), Chang Pi (dysentery with pus/blood), Yin Shi (genital erosion), Xia Xue (lower bleeding), Chi Bai Dai (red and white leukorrhea), pathogenic factors, carbuncles and swellings, Ju Zhi (sores and hemorrhoids), E Chuang (malignant sores), Tou Yang (scalp sores), Sao (scabies). Long-term use supplements marrow, benefits Qi, makes the body robust and healthy, reduces hunger sensation, lightens the body, and prolongs life. The five Shi Zhi tonify the five Zang organs according to their respective colors. Origin: Valleys on the sunny side of Mount Nan.

臣 Yuxi et al. carefully followed the Shu Ben edition: Currently, Yiyang Mountain has much of it; another source says Nanyang valleys.