（《本经》上品）
【校正】并入《别录》芒硝、《嘉 》马牙硝。
【释名】硝石朴（《别录》）、盐硝（《纲目》）、皮硝。
志曰∶硝是本体之名，石乃坚白之号，朴者未化之义也。以其芒硝、英硝皆从此出，故
曰硝石朴也。
时珍曰∶此物见水即消，又能消诸物，故谓之消。生于盐卤之地，状似末盐，凡牛、马
诸皮须此治熟，故今俗有盐硝、皮硝之称。煎炼入盆，凝结在下，粗朴者为朴硝，在上有芒
者为芒硝，有牙者为马牙硝。《神农本经》只有朴硝、硝石，《名医别录》复出芒硝，宋《嘉
本草》又出马牙硝。盖不知硝石即是火硝，朴硝即是芒硝、马牙硝，一物有精粗之异尔。
诸说不识此，遂致纷纭也。今并芒硝、牙硝于一云。
【集解】《别录》曰∶朴硝生益州山谷有咸水之阳。采无时。色青白者佳，黄者伤人，
赤者杀人。又曰∶芒硝，生于朴硝。
曰∶朴硝中炼出，形似麦芒，号曰芒硝。
志曰∶以暖水淋朴硝，取汁炼之，令减半，投于盆中，经宿乃有细芒生，故谓之芒硝也
。又有英硝者，其状若白石英，作四、五棱，莹澈可爱，主疗与芒硝同，亦出于朴硝，其煎
炼自别有法，亦呼为马牙硝。
宗 曰∶朴硝是初采得一煎而成者，未经再炼，故曰朴硝。可以熟生牛马皮，及治金银
有伪。芒硝是朴硝淋汁再炼者。
时珍曰∶硝有三品∶生西蜀者，俗呼川硝，最胜；生河东者，俗呼盐硝，次之；生河北
、青、齐者，俗呼土硝。皆生于斥卤之地，彼人刮扫煎汁，经宿结成，状如末盐，犹有沙土
猥杂，其色黄白，故《别录》云∶朴硝黄者伤人，赤者杀人。须再以水煎化，澄去滓脚，入
萝卜数枚同煮熟，去萝卜倾入盆中，经宿则结成白硝，如冰如蜡，故俗呼为盆硝。齐、卫之
硝则底多，而上面生细芒如锋，《别录》所谓芒硝者是也。川、晋之硝则底少，而上面生牙
如圭角，作六棱，纵横玲珑，洞澈可爱，《嘉 本草》所谓马牙硝者是也。状如白石英，又
名英硝。二硝之底，则通名朴硝也。取芒硝、英硝，再三以萝卜煎炼去咸味，即为甜硝。以
二硝置之风日中吹去水气，则轻白如粉，即为风化硝。以朴硝、芒硝、英硝同甘草煎过，鼎
罐升 ，则为玄明粉。
陶弘景及唐宋诸人皆不知诸硝是一物，但有精粗之异，因名迷实，谬猜乱度，殊无指归。
详见硝石正误下。
朴硝（《本经》）
【气味】苦，寒，无毒。
《别录》曰∶苦、辛，大寒，无毒。炼白如银，能寒能热，能滑能涩，能辛能苦，能咸
能酸，入地千年不变。
权曰∶苦、咸，有小毒。
时珍曰∶《别录》所列神化之说，乃硝石之功。详见硝石下。
之才曰∶大黄、石苇为之使，恶麦句姜。
张从正曰∶畏三棱。
【主治】百病，除寒热邪气，逐六腑积聚，结固留癖。
能化七十二种石。炼饵服之，轻身神仙（《本经》）。胃中食饮热结，破留血闭绝，停痰
痞满，推陈致新（《别录》）。疗热胀，养胃消谷（皇甫谧）。
治腹胀，大小便不通。女子月候不通（甄权）。通泄五脏百病及症结，治天行热疾，头
痛，
消肿毒，排脓，润毛发（大明）。
芒硝（《别录》）
【气味】辛、苦，大寒，无毒。
权曰∶咸，有小毒。
【主治】五脏积聚，久热胃闭，除邪气，破留血，腹中痰实结搏，通经脉，利大小便及
月水，破五淋，推陈致新（《别录》）。下瘰 黄胆病，时疾壅热，能散恶血，堕胎，敷漆疮
（甄权）。
（《神农本草经》列为上品）
【校正】将芒硝（芒硝，由朴硝加工而成的结晶）、马牙硝（马牙硝，形状似马牙齿的硝石）并入本书。
【释名】硝石朴（出自《名医别录》）、盐硝（出自《本草纲目》）、皮硝。
苏颂说：硝是这种物质的本体名称，石是指其坚硬白色的特征，朴是指未经过提炼加工的意思。因为芒硝、英硝（英硝，状如白石英的硝石）都由此衍生出来，所以称为硝石朴。
李时珍说：这种物质遇水即溶，又能溶解其他物体，所以叫“消”。它生长在含盐碱的土地上，形状像细盐，凡是牛、马等皮革都需要用它来煮制软化，所以现在民间有盐硝、皮硝的称呼。经过煎煮炼制倒入盆中，凝结在底部的，质地粗糙朴实的叫做朴硝；表面有针状结晶的叫做芒硝；有棱角齿状的叫做马牙硝。《神农本草经》只有朴硝、硝石，《名医别录》又增加了芒硝，宋代《嘉祐本草》又增加了马牙硝。大概是因为不知道硝石就是火硝（火硝，主要成分为硝酸钾），朴硝就是芒硝、马牙硝，只是同一物质有精华与粗劣的区别罢了。各种说法不了解这一点，于是导致纷纭混乱。现在将芒硝、牙硝合并为一类论述。
【集解】《名医别录》说：朴硝生长在益州山谷中有咸水流出的一面山坡。采集没有固定时间。颜色青白色的最好，黄色的对人有害，红色的会致人死亡。又说：芒硝，是从朴硝中提炼出来的。
寇宗奭说：从朴硝中炼出，形状像麦芒，号称芒硝。
苏颂说：用温水淋洗朴硝，取汁液进行炼制，使体积减半，投入盆中，过夜后便生出细小的芒刺，所以叫做芒硝。又有英硝，形状像白石英，呈四、五棱形，晶莹剔透可爱，主治功效与芒硝相同，也出于朴硝，但其煎炼方法另有讲究，也被称为马牙硝。
陈承说：朴硝是初次采集后第一次煎煮而成的，未经再次精炼，所以叫朴硝。可以用来煮制生牛马皮，以及鉴别金银真伪。芒硝是用朴硝淋出的汁液再次精炼而成的。
李时珍说：硝分为三品：生长在西蜀地区的，俗称川硝，品质最佳；生长在河东地区的，俗称盐硝，次之；生长在河北、青州、齐州的，俗称土硝。都生长在盐碱地上，当地人刮扫收集煎煮汁液，过夜结成，形状像细盐，还混杂着沙土杂质，颜色黄白，所以《名医别录》说：朴硝黄色的伤人，红色的杀人。必须再次用水煎化，澄清去掉沉淀物，放入几枚萝卜同煮至熟，取出萝卜，将汁液倒入盆中，过夜则结成白色硝石，像冰像蜡，所以俗称盆硝。齐地、卫地的硝底部多，上面生成像锋刃一样的细芒，就是《名医别录》所说的芒硝。川地、晋地的硝底部少，上面生成像圭角一样的齿状结晶，呈六棱形，纵横玲珑，通透可爱，就是《嘉祐本草》所说的马牙硝。形状像白石英的，又名英硝。这两种硝（芒硝、英硝）的底部沉淀物，通称为朴硝。取芒硝、英硝，反复用萝卜煎炼以去除咸味，就得到甜硝。将这两种硝放在风和日光下吹干水分，变得轻白如粉，就得到风化硝。将朴硝、芒硝、英硝与甘草一起煎煮，经过蒸馏升华，就得到玄明粉（玄明粉，精制后的硫酸钠）。
陶弘景及唐宋各位医家都不知道各种硝是同一种物质，只是有精华与粗劣的区别，因名称迷惑了实质，胡乱猜测推断，毫无定论。详见硝石正误篇下。
朴硝（出自《神农本草经》）
【气味】苦，寒，无毒。
《名医别录》说：苦、辛，大寒，无毒。炼制后白如银，能寒能热，能滑能涩，能辛能苦，能咸能酸，埋入地下千年不变。
徐之才说：苦、咸，有小毒。
李时珍说：《名医别录》所列的神妙变化之说，其实是硝石的功效。详见硝石篇下。
李当之说：大黄、石苇作为引经药，厌恶麦句姜。
张从正说：畏惧三棱。
【主治】百病，去除寒热邪气，驱逐六腑积聚，破除结固留滞的癖块。
能化解七十二种石头。炼制后服用，身体轻盈成仙（《神农本草经》）。治疗胃中饮食热结，破除瘀血闭阻，消除停聚的痰饮痞满，推陈出新（《名医别录》）。治疗热胀病，养胃助消化（皇甫谧）。
治疗腹胀，大小便不通。女子月经不通（甄权）。通泄五脏百病及症结，治疗流行性热病，头痛，消肿毒，排脓，润泽毛发（孟诜）。
芒硝（出自《名医别录》）
【气味】辛、苦，大寒，无毒。
甄权说：咸，有小毒。
【主治】五脏积聚，久热导致的胃气闭塞，去除邪气，破除瘀血，腹中痰实结聚搏结，疏通经脉，利大小便及月经，破除五种淋证，推陈出新（《名医别录》）。治疗瘰疬、黄疸病，时行壅热之疾，能消散恶血，堕胎，外敷漆疮（甄权）。
(Shangpin, High Grade) in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica).
[Correction] Merging Mangxiao (Mangxiao, crystallized sodium sulfate processed from Puxiao) and Mayaxiao (Mayaxiao, nitre crystals shaped like horse teeth) into this text.
[Names] Xiaoshipi (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Yanxiao (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Pixiao.
Su Song stated: "Xiao" is the name of the substance's essence; "Shi" denotes its hard and white nature; "Pu" signifies unrefined or unprocessed state. Because Mangxiao and Yingxiao (Yingxiao, nitre resembling white quartz) all derive from it, it is called Xiaoshipi.
Li Shizhen said: This substance dissolves upon contact with water and can dissolve other materials, hence the name "Xiao" (dissolve). It grows in saline-alkali lands, resembling fine salt. It is required to soften cattle and horse hides, hence the common names Yanxiao and Pixiao. After boiling and refining, when poured into a basin, the coarse sediment at the bottom is called Puxiao; the sharp crystals on top are called Mangxiao; the tooth-like crystals are called Mayaxiao. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* lists only Puxiao and Xiaoshi (Xiaoshi, potassium nitrate); the *Mingyi Bielu* added Mangxiao; the Song dynasty *Jiayou Bencao* added Mayaxiao. This likely stems from not realizing that Xiaoshi is Huoxiao (Huoxiao, potassium nitrate), and Puxiao is essentially Mangxiao and Mayaxiao, differing only in purity and coarseness. Various theories failed to recognize this, leading to confusion. Now, Mangxiao and Yaxiao are merged into one category.
[Collection and Explanation] The *Mingyi Bielu* states: Puxiao grows in the valleys of Yizhou, on the sunny slopes where salty water flows. It can be harvested at any time. Those with a bluish-white color are best; yellow ones harm people, and red ones kill. It also states: Mangxiao is produced from Puxiao.
Kou Zongshi said: Extracted from Puxiao, shaped like wheat awns, hence named Mangxiao.
Su Song said: By leaching Puxiao with warm water, taking the juice, and refining it until reduced by half, then pouring it into a basin, fine spikes grow overnight, thus named Mangxiao. There is also Yingxiao, which resembles white quartz, having four or five edges, crystal clear and lovely. Its therapeutic effects are the same as Mangxiao, also derived from Puxiao, but its refining method is distinct, and it is also called Mayaxiao.
Chen Cheng said: Puxiao is formed after the first collection and initial boiling, without further refinement, hence called Puxiao. It can be used to soften raw cattle and horse hides, and to test the authenticity of gold and silver. Mangxiao is made by leaching Puxiao and refining the juice again.
Li Shizhen said: Nitre is classified into three grades: those from Western Shu are commonly called Chuanxiao, of the highest quality; those from Hedong are called Yanxiao, second best; those from Hebei, Qingzhou, and Qizhou are called Tuxiao. All grow in saline-alkali lands. Locals scrape and collect them, boil the juice, and let it crystallize overnight. The shape resembles fine salt, mixed with sand and soil impurities, appearing yellowish-white. Thus, the *Mingyi Bielu* states: Yellow Puxiao harms people, red Puxiao kills. It must be re-dissolved in water, clarified to remove sediments, boiled with several radishes until cooked, the radishes removed, and the liquid poured into a basin. Overnight, it forms white crystals like ice or wax, hence commonly called Penxiao (basin nitre). Nitre from Qi and Wei regions has more base material with fine awn-like spikes on top, which is the Mangxiao mentioned in the *Mingyi Bielu*. Nitre from Chuan and Jin regions has less base material with tooth-like projections on top, forming hexagonal prisms, intricate and transparent, which is the Mayaxiao mentioned in the *Jiayou Bencao*. Resembling white quartz, it is also named Yingxiao. The base sediment of both Mangxiao and Yingxiao is collectively called Puxiao. Taking Mangxiao and Yingxiao, repeatedly boiling with radishes to remove salinity yields Tianxiao (sweet nitre). Placing these nitrates in wind and sun to evaporate moisture results in a light, white powder, known as Fenghuaxiao (weathered nitre). Boiling Puxiao, Mangxiao, and Yingxiao together with Gancao (Licorice Root), followed by sublimation in a vessel, produces Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite/Sodium Sulfate).
Tao Hongjing and various physicians of the Tang and Song dynasties did not realize that these nitrates are the same substance, differing only in purity. Confused by names, they speculated wildly without reaching a conclusion. See the correction section under Xiaoshi for details.
Puxiao (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic.
The *Mingyi Bielu* states: Bitter, Acrid, Greatly Cold, Non-toxic. Refined to be white as silver, it possesses properties of cold and heat, slipperiness and astringency, acridity and bitterness, saltiness and sourness. Buried in the earth for a thousand years, it does not change.
Xu Zhicai said: Bitter, Salty, Slightly Toxic.
Li Shizhen said: The miraculous descriptions listed in the *Mingyi Bielu* actually refer to the efficacy of Xiaoshi (Potassium Nitrate). See the Xiaoshi section for details.
Li Dangzhi said: Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) and Shiwei (Pyrola Leaf) act as guides; it opposes Maijujiang.
Zhang Congzheng said: It fears Sanleng (Sparganium Rhizome).
[Indications] Treats hundred diseases, expels pathogenic cold and heat, drives out accumulations in the Six Fu organs, breaks up solidified masses and lingering growths.
Can dissolve seventy-two types of stones. Refined and ingested, it lightens the body and confers immortality (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats heat accumulation of food and drink in the stomach, breaks blood stasis and obstruction, resolves retained phlegm and fullness, pushes out the old and generates the new (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats heat distension, nourishes the stomach and aids digestion (Huangfu Mi).
Treats abdominal distension, obstruction of urination and defecation. Amenorrhea in women (Zhen Quan). Unblocks the Five Zang organs and treats hundred diseases and nodules, treats epidemic febrile diseases, headache, reduces swelling and detoxifies, discharges pus, moistens hair and nails (Meng Shen).
Mangxiao (from *Mingyi Bielu*)
[Flavor and Nature] Acrid, Bitter, Greatly Cold, Non-toxic.
Zhen Quan said: Salty, Slightly Toxic.
[Indications] Treats accumulations in the Five Zang organs, chronic heat causing gastric closure, expels pathogens, breaks blood stasis, resolves phlegm-solidities and knotting in the abdomen, unblocks meridians, promotes urination and defecation and menstruation, breaks five types of strangury (Lin syndrome), pushes out the old and generates the new (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats scrofula, jaundice, epidemic heat stagnation, dissipates evil blood, induces abortion, applies externally to lac poisoning (Zhen Quan).