Library

[Qingshi Zhi (Blue Earth)]
Taste: Sour. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. It primarily nourishes the Qi of the Liver and Gallbladder, improves vision, treats jaundice, diarrhea and dysentery, intestinal disorders (changpi), leukorrhea and various diseases in women, as well as carbuncles, hemorrhoids, and malignant sores. Long-term consumption can replenish marrow, benefit Qi, suppress hunger, and prolong life. It grows in Qiqu Mountain and sea cliffs. Collection time is unrestricted.

Bie Lu records: According to Tang annotations, it originates from mountains in Yuhang, Suzhou. It is no longer collected there. Currently, Suzhou offers tribute of both Red and White varieties, but they are not very suitable for medicinal use. The best quality comes from mountains in Yanzhou. It is extracted between two stones. In Yanzhou, whenever the city was besieged by foreign invaders and suffered from water shortages, people dug pits three to five zhang deep and wide, lining them with earth plaster to store water. The water could be stored for a long time without leaking, which serves as proof of its superior quality.

[Chishi Zhi (Red Earth)]
Taste: Sweet, Sour, Pungent. Nature: Greatly Warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. It primarily nourishes Heart Qi, improves vision and essence, treats abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody and purulent dysentery, promotes urination, and addresses carbuncles, sores, hemorrhoids, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (abnormal uterine bleeding) in women, and difficult labor with retained placenta. Long-term consumption can replenish marrow, improve complexion, enhance intelligence, suppress hunger, lighten the body, and prolong life. It grows in Jinan, Sheyang, and on the north side of Mount Tai. (Incompatible with Rheum palmatum; opposed by Genkwa flos.)

Bencao Tang Zhu notes: This stone is not heard of being produced in the Jinan or Mount Tai areas. Currently, it is found in Lushi County, Guozhou; Lingchuan County, Zezhou; and Lüxiang County, Cizhou. Its color and texture are fresh and fine. It is also found in various mountains of Yizhou. Among these five types of earth plasters, there is one called "Shigu" (Stone Bone), which resembles bone, is hard and lustrous like jade, and its tonic power surpasses that of Concha Ostreae (Oyster Shell) / Zhongru. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to Yaoxing Lun, state: Chishi Zhi is a Sovereign herb, incompatible with Pinus resin, and tonifies deficiency and exhaustion of the Five Viscera.

Tujing Bencao records: Chishi Zhi grows in Jinan, Sheyang, and on the north side of Mount Tai. Su Gong states: It is not heard of in Jinan or Mount Tai; only Lushi County in Guozhou, Lingchuan County in Zezhou, and Lüxiang County in Cizhou produce it, as well as various mountains in Yizhou. Currently, it is produced in Luzhou. Those with fresh and fine color and texture are superior. Collection time is unrestricted. Ancient people also consumed it alone as food. "Rushi Lun" records that consuming Chishi Zhi may cause heart pain upon reaction, which hot wine cannot relieve. Treatment involves wrapping scallion and fermented soybean in cotton, boiling in water, and drinking. "Qianjin Yi Fang" discusses treating phlegm-fluid retention causing constant vomiting of clear fluid. The root cause is excessive consumption of frozen drinks, weakening Spleen and Stomach Qi, preventing digestion. Food entering the stomach turns into cold water, causing continuous vomiting. This is treated with Chishi Zhi San. One jin of Chishi Zhi is crushed and sifted. Take one cun-bi (square-inch spoonful), with wine or water as desired, gradually increasing to three cun-bis. After finishing one jin, one will never vomit phlegm-fluid again, nor suffer from dysentery. It tonifies the Five Viscera and makes the person robust. Someone with mild fluid retention failed other treatments but recovered with this formula. Regarding miscellaneous applications, Zhang Zhongjing treated exterior syndrome complicated by persistent dysentery with pus and blood using Taohua Tang (Peach Blossom Decoction). The formula uses one jin of Chishi Zhi: half used whole, half powdered; one liang of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger); half sheng of Jingmi (Rice). Boil in seven sheng of water until rice is cooked, strain. Drink seven ge per dose, adding one cun-bi of Chishi Zhi powder. Take three times daily until cured. Stop after symptoms cease; otherwise, consume all. Additionally, Wutou Chishi Zhi Wan (Aconite and Red Earth Pill) treats heart pain radiating to the back. One fen of Wutou (Aconitum carmichaelii radix preparata), two fen of Fuzi (Aconitum carmichaelii radix lateralis preparata), both prepared; four fen each of Chishi Zhi, Ganjiang, and Shujiao (Sichuan pepper). Pound the five substances into powder, mix with honey to form pills the size of Sophora japonica seeds. Take one pill before meals; if ineffective, increase dosage slightly.

Doumen Jing records: Treats pediatric gan accumulation diarrhea. Crush and sieve Chishi Zhi into flour-like powder. Mix with half qian using rice broth for administration; cure is immediate. Alternatively, administer equally with Jingxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizoma) for better effect.

Yanyi records: Chishi Zhi is available everywhere today. Test by licking; the variety that adheres to the tongue is superior. A patient suffered from Cold-Slip of the Large Intestine and seminal emission. Various warming herbs totaling one dou two sheng were taken with little effect. Later, advised to take Chishi Zhi and Ganjiang (one liang each) and Hujiao (half liang), powdered and formed into pills with vinegar paste, sized like Sophora japonica seeds. Taken fifty to seventy pills on an empty stomach and before meals with rice broth. After four courses, the condition was cured.