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Lead (Qian)
Sweet in taste, non-toxic. It calms the heart and soothes the spirit (Zhen Xin An Shen), treats toxic qi of Shanghan (Cold Damage disease), regurgitation, vomiting, and hiccups, as well as bites from snakes and lizards; it can be treated by moxibustion or hot compress. (Newly supplemented content)

The *Tujing* records: Lead is produced in Pingze, Shu Commandery. Tin is produced in the valleys of Guiyang. Currently, wherever there are silver mines, both lead and tin are found. Among them, tin produced in Linghe is particularly abundant, also known as "Bai Cuo". Qian Dan (Lead(II,IV) oxide / Minium) is Huang Dan (Yellow Minium). Fen Xi (Tin(II) chloride / Basic tin chloride) is Hu Fen (Basic bismuth carbonate / White lead powder). Both substances are made by refining lead, hence they are attached to the category of lead. Mirrors are cast from copper but mixed with tin to become bright and clear, therefore the mirror knob (Jing Bi) is associated with tin. According to the *Zishu*: Tin is called Xi, Lead is called Qing Jin (Green Gold); although they look similar, their practical applications are distinct. There is also Qian Shuang (Lead Frost), which also originates from lead. The method is to mix lead with mercury in a ratio of fifteen parts to one, refine it into sheets, place them in a vinegar jar, seal tightly, and after a long period, frost forms on the surface, also called Qian Bai Shuang. Its nature is extremely cold; people use it in medicines for treating wind-phlegm and infantile convulsions/stagnation. Physicians nowadays use it very frequently. For casting copper objects, tin is mostly added. The *Kaogong Ji* states: Artisans working with metals have six alloys for processing gold/metal, referring to this principle. For medicinal uses such as copper crossbow triggers or ancient coins, because they contain tin, their uses are similar. Additionally, Qian Hui (Lead Ash) treats Luoli (Scrofula). Liu Yuxi recorded this method: Take three taels of lead, roast it in an iron vessel. After a long time, sediment at the bottom will resemble black ash. Mix with grease and apply to the sore. Cover with old cloth repeatedly, wiping away foul discharge each time. After about half a month, without pain, rupture, or ulceration, the lesion internally dissolves into water, leading to recovery. Even if Luoli spreads to the neck, it heals.

Chen Cangqi says: Tin, lead, liuli (glaze/glass), and copper mirror knobs. Tao Hongjing stated that liuli eliminates tin toxicity. Tin comes in black and white varieties; Black Tin is cold in nature and slightly toxic. It treats Yingliu (Goiter/Nodules), Gui Qi (Ghost Qi/Epidemic diseases), Zhu Wu (Sticking Evil). Powdered Black Tin mixed with Qing Mu Xiang (Aquilaria agallocha) is applied externally for wind sores, swelling, and malignant toxins. Although the *Shennong Bencao Jing* has entries, they refer to processed pills or powders, not specifically describing raw lead or raw tin. Tin becomes powder, lead becomes cinnabar-like pill base. Su Song claimed lead becomes Dan and tin becomes powder, which is a deep misunderstanding. Empirical formulas treat Fabei (Back carbuncle) and various carbuncles/sores. Use one jin of Hei Qian (Black Lead), three taels of Gan Cao (Licorice Root), lightly roasted and chopped. Use one dou of wine. Place an empty bottle nearby. First put Gan Cao in the wine bottle, then pour molten lead into the wine bottle. Pour the wine back into the empty bottle, retrieve the lead. Repeat melting and pouring nine times. Discard the Gan Cao, keep only the wine. Have the patient drink until drunk and asleep, then recover. Shengjin Fang: Darkens beard and hair, brightens eyes, strengthens teeth. Half a jin of Hei Qian is melted in a large lead pot. Immediately add Sang Tiao Hui (Ash of Mulberry branches), stir with Willow wood until sandy. Sieve through fine silk cloth. Every morning, after brushing teeth normally, rinse mouth with warm water into a basin. Use this water to wash eyes, treating various eye diseases. Yellow or white beards turn black upon use. Another formula treats toxicity from mineral drugs. Use one jin of Hei Qian, melt in a crucible, pour in one sheng of wine. Repeat this ten-plus times. When wine reduces to half a sheng, remove lead. Drink all at once for recovery. Qingxiazi's *Baozang Lun* states: Black Lead, after herbal processing, becomes a treasure; it can transmute copper to silver, be cast into tripods, stabilize Zhusha (Cinnabar) against fire, stabilize Shuiyin (Mercury) against fire, and stop Fen Shuang (Lead Frost) from reacting to fire. Taiqing method for refining Lingsha: Tin and Lead both inherit the extreme yin essence of North Ren-Gui Water. Their nature is moist and slippery. Ingestion causes Yin toxicity, damaging Heart and Stomach. *Danfang Jingyuan* states: Lead is salty. If Lead does not come from Silver extraction, cooked Lead is used. Jiazhou Long County and Lizhou produce Leaf Lead Essence, deeply deformed in shape, called Zi Bei Qian (Purple-backed Lead), capable of crushing steel anvils. Caojie Lead from Jiazhou breaks when struck; if burning produces sulfur-like smoke. Xinzhou Lead and Lushi Lead are coarse and poor quality; must be filtered before use. Yinping Lead from Jianzhou is the sprout of Iron. Huanghua Tou (Yellow Flower Lead) thrown into Mercury floats to the surface under mild heat; scrape and fry into Huang Dan color. Diaojiao Lead from caves in Yazhou stream sand resembles soap nuts or tadpoles, black in color. Method for frying Qian Dan: One jin of Lead, one qian of Tu Liuhuang (Native Sulfur), one qian of Xiaoshi (Potassium Nitrate). Melt Lead first, add Vinegar to boil. Add a small piece of Native Sulfur, continue adding small amounts of Potassium Nitrate. Once boiling stabilizes, add Vinegar again. Continue adding small amounts of Nitrate and Sulfur until Nitrate is consumed, boiling stops, and Sulfur is consumed. Grind into powder to form Dan.