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Yangqishi (Styppite)

Salty in flavor, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats metrorrhagia and leukorrhea (abnormal uterine bleeding or continuous spotting), breaks up blood stasis in the uterus, resolves masses and qi stagnation (abdominal lumps and qi constraint), alleviates alternating chills and fever, abdominal pain, and infertility. It also addresses impotence and failure of erection, tonifies deficiencies, treats coldness at the glans penis, damp-itching in the genital area, removes foul sweat, and reduces edema. Long-term consumption prevents hunger and promotes fertility.

Also known as Baishi (White Stone), Shisheng (Stone Born), and Yangqishi (Sheep-Rising Stone); it is considered the root of Yunmu (Mica). It grows in the valleys of Qi Mountain, as well as Langya, Yunshan, and Yangqi Mountain. There is no specific season for harvesting. (Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis Egg-case) serves as its guiding herb; it is incompatible with Zexie (Alisma Rhizome), Jungui (Cinnamon Bark), Leiwan (Polyporus Umbellatus), and Shed Snake Skin; it fears Tusizi (Dodder Seed).)

Tao Hongjing stated: The origin of this mineral is the same as that of Mica, and it resembles Mica closely, but is denser and more solid. The Yangqishi currently used comes from Yizhou, often found mixed with Fanshi (Alum Stone), having a yellowish-black color, which is essentially Alum Stone. It is uncertain what exactly constitutes the "root of Mica." It is rarely used by the common people. However, it is recorded in the *Xian Jing* (Immortal Classic) for consumption. The *Tang Ben Cao Zhu* (Commentary on Tang Materia Medica) notes: This stone should be white, with a texture resembling Yin Nie (a type of mineral), and ideally intermixed with a greenish luster like Mica for superior quality. Hence, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) calls it Baishi (White Stone). Currently, some use pure black stones resembling charcoal, which is erroneous. In the Mica entry, it is stated that black ones are named Yundan (Cloud Gallbladder) or Dizhuo (Earth Drop), and consuming them harms the body; therefore, black Yangqishi must certainly be harmful. The *Classic* states it grows in Qi Mountain. Qi Mountain is located five to six li northwest of Licheng in Qizhou. However, investigations found no Yangqishi there. Instead, Yangqishi is actually produced in Lushan, six to seven li northwest of Qi Mountain. The mention of "Yunshan" in the *Bencao Jing* is likely an error for "Lushan." Currently, Mount Tai and Yizhou only produce black varieties, while white varieties are exclusively produced in Qizhou. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to Wu Shi, noted: For Yangqishi, Shennong and Bian Que considered it sour and non-toxic; Tongjun, Leigong, and Qibo considered it salty and non-toxic; Ji Shi considered it slightly cold. Some sources say it grows on Mount Tai. Yang Sunzhi stated: It is not suitable for decoctions. The *Yaoxing Lun* (Treatise on Medicinal Properties) states: Yangqishi is adverse to Shikuai and forbids mutton blood. It is sweet in flavor and neutral in nature. It primarily tonifies Kidney Qi, treats lower back pain due to seminal deficiency, cold-damp bi-syndrome in the knees, warms the uterus in women suffering from chronic cold conditions, treats cold-type masses, and regulates irregular menstruation. Xiao Bing stated: Yangqishi is a minister herb. The *Nanhai Yupu* (Record of Southern Sea Medicines) states: Only the yellow Yangqishi from Mount Tai is excellent, while the white one from Que Mountain in Xingzhou is also good. Rihua Zi stated: It treats leukorrhea, warm-pestilence, cold qi, and tonifies the five exhaustions and seven injuries. When preparing medicine, it should be calcined and quenched in water; those that congeal into a white form are superior.

The *Tujing* (Illustrated Canon) states: Yangqishi grows in the valleys of Qi Mountain, as well as Langya, Yunshan, and Yangqi Mountain. Currently, it is only produced in Qizhou, and nowhere else. Some say it exists in Que Mountain, Xingzhou, but the quality is inferior. Now, there is only one earthen hill west of Qizhou city where the stone is extracted, locally called Yangqi Mountain. This mountain often emits warm air; even in deep winter when snow covers the entire region, this mountain remains free of snow accumulation, likely due to the steaming effect of the stone's qi. There is only one mine shaft on the mountain, which is often closed off by official prohibition. By early winter, the prefecture conscripts laborers and sends supervisors to extract it. Over years, the shaft becomes deeper, and extracting the stone after breaking other rocks is very difficult. Stones that are white, with a crystal-clear texture resembling wild wolf teeth are considered superior. Those mixed with other rocks into blocks are unusable. Each year, selected high-quality stones are offered as tribute, while the rest are sold within the prefecture; otherwise, merchants cannot obtain them. Although many sell it, fine and good quality stones are still hard to come by. The old theory claims it is the root of Mica, containing traces of Mica, but this coloration is no longer seen. It was not used in ancient food-medicine formulas, but is now frequently used in tonic and kidney-nourishing prescriptions. There is no specific season for harvesting.

The *Danfang Jingyuan* (Mirror Source of Alchemical Furnaces) states: Yangqishi can be used to make external crucibles. Qingxiazi stated: Yangqi treats diseases of the Kidney.

The *Yanyi* (Expanded Meaning) states: Yangqishi resembling wild wolf teeth is the best variety. Its outer surface is not white, resembling Jiangshi (Ginger Stone). Large pieces are white inside as well. It treats lower... [Text incomplete]