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Zhongru Shi (Calcitum): Sweet in flavor, warm in nature, toxic. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. It primarily treats seminal emission due to cold and cold coughs; it strengthens Yuan Qi (Original Qi), enhances sexual function, calms the Five Zang organs, unblocks all joints, benefits the nine orifices, promotes lactation, and can also clear the voice. The best quality is lustrous, smooth, light in texture, and resembles refined saltpeter. When grinding for a long time, one must not stop; it must be processed by "water flying" (levigation). It should be applied to the arm muscle until no powder is visible. Snakebedzi (Cnidii Fructus) serves as its guiding herb. It is incompatible with Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Xuan Shi (Nigra Lapis), and Mumeng. It fears Zhi Yingshi (Fluorite) and Suo Cao. Avoid mutton blood.

Commentary: Zhongru Shi is warm in nature but has a descending tendency, making it suitable for entering the Kidney meridian. Since the Lung is the mother of the Kidney, it also enters the Lung meridian. Many materia medica texts describe its efficacy, but Zhu Danxi considered it a fierce agent that should not be used lightly. Consuming it without calcination causes Lin syndrome (dysuria).

Lei Gong said: When using Zhongru Shi, do not use those with thick heads or large tails, which are Konggong Shi (a different mineral); nor use those that are black in color, have been roasted over high fire, or have been stored on the ground for a long time. Those previously processed with other drugs must not be used. One must select pieces that are bright, thin, and lustrous, resembling egret feather tubes, preferably 5-6 cun in length.

The processing method is as follows: Boil in five-flavor herbal water for one Fu Shi (approx. 2 hours), then strain. Soak in the juice of Gancao (Licorice Root) and Zi Bei Tian Kui (Ophiopogon japonicus var. bulbifer) and boil again for one Fu Shi. For every 8 liang of Zhongru Shi, use Chenxiang (Aquilaria Wood), Linglingxiang (Lingzhi Fragrant Fruit), Huoxiang (Patchouli Herb), Gansong (Nardostachys Rhizome), and Baimao (Imperata Rhizome), each 1 liang. Boil once with water. In the third boiling, add Gancao and two other herbs (implied from context or standard practice, text says "Gancao etc. three flavors"), each 2 liang, boil again, strain, wipe dry, and bake over slow fire. Then pound into powder in a mortar, sieve, and place in a bowl. Have strong young men grind continuously for three days and nights without rest. Then purify by water flying, sieve through silk gauze, dry in the sun, return to the bowl, and grind 20,000 times. Store in a porcelain jar for use.

Fan Shi (Alumen): Sour in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung and Liver meridians. It primarily treats alternating chills and fever, diarrhea and dysentery, leukorrhea (white discharge), genital ulcers, various malignant sores and tinea, clears throat bi-obstruction, relieves eye pain, removes bone-steaming heat, stops diarrhea, retracts prolapsed rectum, combined with Zao Jia (Ziziphus Spinosus Fruit) can induce vomiting for wind-phlegm, and combined with honey and beeswax can dissipate carbuncles and swellings. The best quality is bright like crystal. Gancao (Licorice Root) serves as its guiding herb. It is incompatible with Muli (Ostrea Concha) and fears Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba).

Commentary: Fan Shi is white, corresponding to the West and Metal element, thus suitable for entering the Lung organ. Its sour flavor corresponds to the East and Wood element, thus suitable for entering the Liver organ. When the Lung and Liver functions are regulated, various chills and fever symptoms can be alleviated.

Lei Gong said: When processing Fan Shi, store it in a porcelain bottle, heat it in fire until red inside and out. Use tongs to remove the lid, immediately insert stone bee combs into the red-hot bottle, burning the combs completely. Remove with tongs, let cool, crush, and grind into powder in a mortar. Dig a pit under the eaves, about 5 cun deep. Wrap the powder in paper and leave it in the pit overnight. Take it out and grind again. For every 10 liang of Fan Shi, use 6 liang of stone bee combs, burning them completely. Also, select pieces bright like crystal with complete sour, salty, and astringent tastes. Grind into powder and store in a dry porcelain bottle capable of holding 2-3 sheng. Apply Liu Yi Ni (Six-One Clay) around the fire side, dry it, then place Bai Fan (White Alum) inside. Add natural juices of Wu Fang Cao and Zi Bei Tian Kui, each 1 yi. Slowly add Bai Fan to the fire to drive off moisture until the liquid dries. Cover the bottle mouth, seal top and bottom with clay, and burn with 100 jin of firewood. From Si hour to Wei hour, remove the fire and take out the Bai Fan. Let the bottle cool, crush, and retrieve the alum. After high-fire processing, it turns silver-colored. This natural fixation ensures no weight loss. Grind finely like Qing Fen (Calomel) before use.