Library

[Qingfen (Calomel)]
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Cold, toxic. Meridian tropism: Not recorded. Indications: Mainly treats intestinal obstruction leading to urinary retention (Zhuanbao), various sores, insect-related skin diseases (Chongxuan), and pediatric malnutrition (Ganji). The substance that is light and bright is genuine; the one that burns with flames rising upward is authentic.
Note: Qingfen is produced by sublimation of mercury. Pharmacopoeias stating it is non-toxic are mistaken! It is a crucial drug for external surgery but should not be taken internally lightly. Currently, many prescriptions use it extensively, which will inevitably damage the intestines and stomach; caution is imperative. Its price is quite high. The market often substitutes it with powder made from calcined halite (Ningshuishi) and gypsum to deceive buyers; careful discrimination is required.

[Yinzhu (Cinnabar Substitute / Vermilion)]
Taste: Bitter, pungent. Nature: Warm, toxic. Usage: Only used in topical applications to kill parasites; no other uses.
Note: Yinzhu is also produced by burning mercury. Those who ingest it suffer from swelling leading to death. How can one not be cautious!

[Mituoseng (Litharge)]
Taste: Salty, pungent. Nature: Neutral, toxic. Meridian tropism: Not recorded. Indications: Mainly treats skin spots, five types of hemorrhoids and metallic wounds (Jinchuang), cough with vomiting of phlegm, malaria and dysentery, and calms fright and soothes the heart. The variety heavy as gold is preferred; it should be used after water-calcination (Shuifei).
Note: Mituoseng is also known as Moduoseng. Its texture is extremely heavy; excessive consumption damages the zang-organs.
Leigong says: When using Mituoseng, first crush it finely, place it in a porcelain pot, arrange a thick paper bag filled with willow wood chips around the pot containing Mituoseng, then add running water from the east, and soak...

[Dansha (Cinnabar)]
Taste: Sweet. Raw form: Slightly cold, non-toxic. Refined form: Greatly hot, toxic. Meridian tropism: Enters the Heart meridian. Indications: Mainly calms the heart and soothes the spirit (Anshen), benefits qi and improves vision, unblocks blood vessels, removes irritability and fullness, stops thirst (Xiaoke), treats hundred diseases, kills evil spirits and ghosts, dispels scabies and tinea. Long-term ingestion leads to immortality. Aversion to alkaline water. The best quality is egg-sized, resembling a hibiscus flower, breaking open like mica with clear brightness.
Note: The color of Dansha belongs to Bing-Ding Fire, which is the destination of the Heart organ. Its nature is heavy and stagnant, so it should not be used in large amounts. Qingxiazi said: "When Dansha encounters fire in stones, it turns entirely to ash; when Dansha undergoes 'Fu Huo' (concealing fire processing), it transforms into Yellow Silver, capable of being heavy or light, divine or spiritual, black or white, dark or bright." Taiqing said: "Tracing the origins of various editions and examining these two theories, the claim that taking elixirs leads to immortality seems credible." Since the long peace of the Tang Dynasty, wealthy families, lacking understanding, were misled by alchemists, resulting in death. This custom became prevalent and continues today. What fault do the people have to suffer such tragedy? The principles are profound and difficult to investigate. I hope those interested in this matter exercise caution.
Leigong says: When using Dansha, one must carefully identify it. There are still hundreds of varieties available, which cannot be discussed one by one. There is Miaoshusha, fist-sized or weighing one yi per piece, with a mirror-like surface; on rainy or yin days, red fluid appears on the surface. You Meibaisa, plum-sized, emitting light at night illuminating a room. You Baitingsha, bodhi-seed-sized, with small stars appearing on top. You Shenzuosa, without Danbie [note: text likely corrupted or specific term], ingestion results in fair complexion and longevity. Next are Baibaijinscha, Chengshuishasha, Yinchengsha, Chenjinsha, Furongscha, Jingmiansha, Jianzhusa, Caoweisha, Tusha, Jinxingsha, Pingmiansha, Shenshuisha, which cannot be detailed one by one.
Regarding the preparation of Cinnabar: First, burn incense and observe fasting and bathing in a clean room. Then take the cinnabar, bathe it in fragrant water, wipe dry, and crush it. Further grind it in a mortar. During the Three Fu periods (hottest days of summer), place the cinnabar in a porcelain pot. Chop equal parts of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Basella alba (Zibeitiankui), and Wufangcao, layering them above and below the cinnabar. Boil with eastern flowing water during the Three Fu periods. Do not let the water run out, missing the timing; evaporate about one-third of the water. Then add Banliang (approx. 15g) of Qingzhicao and Shanxucao. Cover and boil with ten jin of firewood from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Zi hour (11 PM-1 AM). After cooling, grind again into powder. If for internal use, mix with boiled honey to make pills the size of sesame seeds; take one pill on an empty stomach. If for inclusion in other medicines, follow this method. For natural charcoal fire processing: Five liang of Cinnabar, two liang of Gancao, one yi of Zibeitiankui, one yi of fresh juice of Wufangcao, all boiled together with eastern flowing water.