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Nature and flavor: Neutral, slightly warm. Indications: Improves vision, dissolves copper. Treats palpitations and fright, stabilizes heart qi, pediatric wind epilepsy, prolapse of the uterus (Yin tuō), and rectal prolapse.

Tao Hongjing stated: Tie Luo (Iron filings) is the iron slurry used for dyeing black ironware. Sheng Tie (Raw iron) refers to un-forged iron blocks used for making cauldrons and similar vessels. Gang Tie (Steel) is iron made by smelting raw iron impurities to produce knives and sickles. Tie Jing (Iron essence) comes from the furnace, resembling dust; those that are purple and light in weight are superior. It is also used for polishing and brightening copper vessels. The *Tang Bencao* commentary notes: When referred to simply as "Tie" (Iron), it means iron itself. Tie Luo (Iron filings) is the scale-like skin shed when iron is heated red-hot in a household forge and hammered on an anvil. Various iron preparations for treating diseases are not used in pills or powders but are boiled to extract the slurry. If one calls the slurry "Tie Luo" (Iron filings), what should the juice produced from steel be called? Tie Luo (Iron filings) is the liquid exuded from iron scales, darker than other irons. Tao believed it could dye silk black, calling it iron slurry, which was an error.

Furthermore, heating Tie Xie (Iron filings) until extremely hot and adding them to wine for drinking treats Zei Feng Jing (Wind-induced spasms). Alternatively, wrapping them and applying heat to the axilla treats Hu Chou (Fox odor/bromhidrosis), though this method is risky. Examining Chen Cangqi's *Bencao*: Whenever iron is said to treat disease without entering pills/powders, it is boiled into slurry. Currently, Zhen Sha (Needle sand) and Tie Jing (Iron essence) can both dye silk black, and iron can be included in pills/powders. Ministers Yu Xi et al. respectfully note according to Chen Cangqi: Tie Jiang (Iron slurry) is obtained by soaking various irons in water in a vessel for a long time until the color turns green and foam appears. It can dye fabric black and also detoxifies poisons ingested into the abdomen. Ingestion calms the heart, improves vision, and treats epilepsy with fever, acute yellow jaundice with mania and running about, and livestock epilepsy. If bitten by snakes, dogs, tigers, wild wolves, or venomous insects, ingestion prevents toxins from entering the interior. Also, Tie Xiu (Iron rust) treats evil sores eating flesh, traumatic injuries from metal weapons, skin/muscle damage from toxic substances, prevents wind-water invasion, prevents rotting in water, treats cracked hands/feet, knotted sinews at sore roots, scrofula, and toxic swelling. It dyes beard and hair permanently black. Applying hot powder paste, which hardens slightly, then rubbing bamboo/wood against fire on knife/axe blades to extract a lacquer-like fluid is known as Dao Yan (Knife smoke), widely used in Jiangdong for waterproofing. Goiters on the neck are treated by fumigation with burned peach pits. It also kills parasites effectively. Cui Tie Shui (Quenching iron water) is pungent, non-toxic, and treats pediatric Dan Du (Erysipelas); drink one he. This is the water from the iron trough when forging tools. Zhen Sha (Needle sand) is neutral, non-toxic. It dyes white silk black and mixes with Myrobalan to dye whiskers black. Refined into powder, its function is like Tie Fen (Iron powder). It must be separately extracted from refined iron powder. True steel sand is usable, but people often mix impurities, which is erroneous. Xia Tie Xie (Settled iron filings) is pungent, neutral, non-toxic. Treats Gui Da (Ghost strike), Gui Zhu (Ghost fixation), and evil qi. Soak in water, stir to create foam, clarify, remove dregs, warm, and drink one to two cups. Ren Dao (Blade edges) are pungent, neutral, non-toxic. For snakebite with toxin entering the abdomen, rub two knives together in water and drink the juice. Rubbing two knives together above the ear produces sound, treating insects entering the ear; hearing the sound causes them to exit. Ri Huazi stated: Tie Xie (Iron filings) treat fright, evil, epilepsy, pediatric Ke Wu (Guest fright), digest food, and cold qi; all taken as decoction. Obtaining water infused with plowshare tips is named Tie Jing (Iron essence), which can detoxify Cinnabar, Shu Ting Li (Stibnite), and Mercury. Detailed illustrations are under the Iron Strip entry.

*Shenghui Fang*: For Yin Tuō (Uterine prolapse). Mix Tie Jing (Iron essence) and Yang Zhi (Sheep fat) until thick, wrap in cloth, heat, apply via moxibustion/ironing, push back in, and cure. Another formula: For Gu Du (Gu poison) in food causing abdominal hardness/pain, blue-yellow complexion, emaciation, and unpredictable changes. Grind Tie Jing (Iron essence) finely, mix with chicken liver, form pills like wutong seeds. Take five pills with wine before/after meals. *Baiyi Fang*: For postpartum uterine prolapse, insert Tie Jing powder. Another formula: For pain from Digu thorn pricks. Apply Tie Jing powder size of a soybean, blow into the wound using a tube. *Zimu Milu*: For Yin Zhong (Genital swelling), apply Tie Jing powder externally. Yao Hezhong: For pediatric rectal prolapse due to dysentery, apply Tie Jing powder externally. *Taiqing Fuliang Lingsha Fa*: Iron is hard/natured firmly; ingestion injures the lungs.