【气味】苦，大寒，无毒。时珍曰∶辛、苦，大温，无毒。
【主治】风热癫痫，小儿惊邪螈 ，风眩头痛，肺壅耳聋，口疮喉痹咽塞，牙颔肿痛，
目赤热痛，多眵泪（《开宝》）。
【发明】土宿真君曰∶硝石，感海卤之气所产，乃天地至神之物，能寒能热，能滑能涩，
能辛能苦，能酸能咸，入地千年，其色不变，七十二石，化而为水，制服草木，柔润五金，
制炼八石，虽大丹亦不舍此也。
时珍曰∶土宿所说，乃硝石神化之妙。《别录》列于朴硝之下，误矣。朴硝属水，味咸
而气寒，其性下走，不能上升，阴中之阴也。故惟荡涤肠胃积滞，折治三焦邪火。硝石属火，
味辛带苦微咸，而气大温，其性上升，水中之火也。故能破积散坚，治诸热病，升散三焦火
郁，调和脏腑虚寒。与硫黄同用，则配类二气，均调阴阳，有升降水火之功，治冷热缓急之
病。 制礞石，则除积滞痰饮。盖硫黄之性暖而利，其性下行；硝石之性暖而散，其性上行。
礞石之性寒而下，硝石之性暖而上。一升一降，一阴一阳，此制方之妙也。今兵家造烽火铳
机等物，用硝石者，直入云汉，其性升可知矣。《雷公炮炙论》序云∶脑痛欲死，鼻投硝末，
是亦取其上升辛散，乃从治之义。《本经》言其寒，《别录》言其大寒，正与龙脑性寒之误相
似。凡辛苦物未有大寒者，况此物得火则焰生，与樟脑、火酒之性同，安有性寒、大寒之理
哉？《史记·仓公传》云∶ 川王美人怀子不乳，来召淳于意。意往饮以茛菪药一撮，以酒
饮之，旋乳。意复诊其脉躁，躁者有余病，即饮以硝石一剂，出血，血如豆比五六枚而安。
此去血结之验也。
【附方】旧四，新十。
头痛欲死∶硝石末吹鼻内，即愈。（《炮炙论》）
诸心腹痛∶焰硝、雄黄各一钱。研细末。每点少许入 内。名火龙丹。（《集玄方》）
腰腹诸痛∶方同上。
赤眼肿痛∶硝石末，卧时，以铜箸点黍米大入目 。至旦，以盐水洗去之。（《圣惠方》
）
眼目障翳∶男女内外障翳，或三、五个月不见效者，一点复明。好焰硝一两，铜器熔化，
入飞过黄丹二分，片脑二分，铜匙急抄入罐内，收之。每点少许，其效如神。兖州朱秀才忽
不见物，朝夕拜天，因梦神传此方，点之而愈。（《张三丰仙方》）
风热喉痹及缠喉风病。玉钥匙∶用焰硝一两半，白僵蚕一钱，硼砂半两，脑子一字。为
末。吹之。（《三因方》）
重舌鹅口∶竹沥，同焰硝点之。（《普济》）
伏暑泻痢及肠风下血，或酒毒下血，一服见效，远年者不过三服。硝石、舶上硫黄各一
两，白矾、滑石半两，飞面四两，为末，滴水丸梧子大。每新汲水下三、五十丸。名甘露丸。
（《普济方》）
五种淋疾∶劳淋、血淋、热淋、气淋、石淋及小便不通至甚者。透格散∶用硝石一两，
不夹泥土雪白者，生研为末。每服二钱，各依汤使。劳淋，劳倦虚损，小便不出，小腹急痛，
葵子末煎汤下，通后便须服补虚丸散。血淋，小便不出时，下血疼痛满急；热淋，小便热，
赤色，脐下急痛，并用冷水调下。气淋，小腹满急，尿后常有余沥，木通煎汤下。石淋，茎
内痛，尿不能出，内引小腹膨胀急痛，尿下砂石，令人闷绝，将药末先入铫内，隔纸炒至纸
焦为度，再研，用温水调下。小便不通，小麦汤下。猝患诸淋，只以冷水下。并空心，调药
使硝如水，乃服之。（沈存中《灵苑方》）
蛟龙症病∶方见雄黄发明下。
服石发疮疼不可忍∶用纸圈围之，中心填硝石令满，以匙抄水淋之。觉不热痛，即止。
（《兵部手集》）
发背初起∶恶寒啬啬，或已生疮肿瘾疹。硝石三两，暖水一升，泡化，待冷，青布折三
重，湿拓赤处，热即换，频易取瘥。（《外台秘要》）
女劳黑疸∶仲景曰∶黄家日晡发热，反恶寒，此为女劳得之。膀胱急，小腹满，身尽黄
，额上黑，足下热，因作黑疸。腹胀如水，大便黑，时溏，非水也。腹满者难治。硝石、矾
石（烧）等分。为末。以大麦粥汁和服方寸匕，日三。病随大小便去，小便黄，大便黑，是
其候也。（《金匮》）
手足不遂大风，及丹石热风不遂。用硝石一两，生乌麻油二斤。置铛中，以土堑盖口，
纸泥固济，火煎。初时气腥，熟则气香。更以生麻油二升，合煎得所，收不津器中。服时坐
室中，重作小纸屋，燃火于内，服一大合，发汗，力壮者日二服。三七日，头面 疮皆减也，
然必以火为使。（波罗门僧方）
【气味】味苦，性大寒，无毒。李时珍说：味辛、苦，性大温，无毒。
【主治】风热引起的癫痫，小儿惊风抽搐，风邪眩晕头痛，肺气壅滞导致的耳聋，口疮、喉痹（咽喉肿痛闭塞）及咽部阻塞感，牙床和颌骨肿痛，眼睛红肿热痛，眼屎多且流泪（引自《开宝本草》）。
【发明】土宿真君说：硝石，是感应海盐卤气而生成，是天地的神奇之物，既能寒又能热，既能滑利又能涩滞，既能辛散又能苦降，既能酸收又能咸软。它深入地下千年，颜色不变；能使七十二种矿石化为水液，制服草木，使五金变得柔润，炼制八石，即使是炼制大丹也不舍弃此物。
李时珍说：土宿所说的，是硝石神妙变化的奥妙。《名医别录》将其列在朴硝之下，这是错误的。朴硝属水，味咸而气寒，其性质向下行走，不能上升，属于阴中之阴。所以只能荡涤肠胃中的积滞，折治三焦的邪火。硝石属火，味辛带苦微咸，而气大温，其性质向上运行，是水中之火。所以能破除积聚、消散坚结，治疗各种热病，升散三焦的火郁，调和脏腑的虚寒。与硫黄同用，则配合阴阳二气，均匀调和阴阳，具有升降水火的功效，治疗冷、热、缓、急等病症。用来炼制礞石，则能消除积滞痰饮。大概硫黄的性质暖而通利，其性下行；硝石的性质暖而发散，其性上行。礞石的性质寒而下沉，硝石的性质暖而上行。一升一降，一阴一阳，这是制方用药的奥妙。现在兵家制造烽火铳机等物品，使用硝石，直冲云霄，其性上升是可以知道的。《雷公炮炙论》序言中说：脑痛欲死，将硝末纳入鼻中，这也是取其上升辛散的特性，属于从治（反治）的意义。《神农本草经》说它性寒，《名医别录》说它大寒，这与龙脑（冰片）性寒的错误说法相似。凡是辛苦味的药物没有大寒的，况且此物遇火则火焰产生，与樟脑、火酒的性质相同，怎么会有性寒、大寒的道理呢？《史记·仓公传》记载：川王的美人怀孕后不能哺乳，派人召请淳于意。淳于意前往，给她服用一撮莨菪药，并用酒送服，随即开始泌乳。淳于意再次诊察她的脉象躁动，躁动代表有余的病邪，于是给她服用一剂硝石，排出血液，像豆粒大小的血块五六枚后便痊愈了。这是去除血瘀凝结的验证。
【附方】旧方四个，新方十个。
头痛欲死：将硝石末吹入鼻内，立即痊愈。（引自《炮炙论》）
各种心腹痛：焰硝、雄黄各一钱。研成细末。每次取少许点入患处。名为火龙丹。（引自《集玄方》）
腰腹各种疼痛：方子同上。
赤眼肿痛：硝石末，睡觉时，用铜筷蘸取如黍米大小放入眼中。到早晨，用盐水洗去。（引自《圣惠方》）
眼目障翳：男女内外障翳，或者经过三、五个月不见效的，点一次即可复明。好焰硝一两，在铜器中熔化，加入飞过（精制）的黄丹二分、片脑（冰片）二分，用铜勺快速抄入罐内，收藏起来。每次点少许，效果如神。兖州朱秀才突然失明，早晚拜天，因梦见神仙传授此方，点药后痊愈。（引自《张三丰仙方》）
风热喉痹及缠喉风病。玉钥匙方：用焰硝一两半，白僵蚕一钱，硼砂半两，脑子（冰片）一字。研为末。吹入咽喉。（引自《三因方》）
重舌鹅口：竹沥，同焰硝点涂。（引自《普济方》）
伏暑泻痢及肠风下血，或酒毒下血，一服见效，多年的不过三服。硝石、舶上硫黄各一两，白矾、滑石半两，飞面四两，研为末，滴水制成梧桐子大的丸药。每次用新汲水下服三、五十丸。名为甘露丸。（引自《普济方》）
五种淋疾：劳淋、血淋、热淋、气淋、石淋以及小便不通严重的。透格散：用硝石一两，不夹杂泥土、雪白的，生研为末。每次服二钱，分别依据不同的汤剂送服。劳淋，因劳倦虚损，小便不出，小腹急痛，用葵子末煎汤送下，通利后必须服用补虚丸散。血淋，小便不出时下血疼痛满急；热淋，小便热，色赤，脐下急痛，均用冷水调下。气淋，小腹满急，尿后常有余沥，用木通煎汤送下。石淋，尿道内痛，尿不能出，牵引小腹膨胀急痛，尿下砂石，令人昏厥，先将药末放入铫子内，隔纸炒至纸焦为止，再研细，用温水调下。小便不通，用小麦汤送下。猝然患各种淋疾，只用冷水送下。并空腹，调药使硝如水，然后服用。（引自沈存中《灵苑方》）
蛟龙症病：方子见雄黄发明项下。
服石发疮疼不可忍：用纸圈围住患处，中心填满硝石令满，用勺子舀水淋在上面。感觉不热痛，就停止。（引自《兵部手集》）
发背初起：恶寒啬啬，或已生疮肿瘾疹。硝石三两，暖水一升，泡化，待冷，青布折叠三重，湿敷发红处，热了就更换，频繁更换以求痊愈。（引自《外台秘要》）
女劳黑疸：张仲景说：黄疸病患者傍晚发热，反而恶寒，这是女劳疸所致。膀胱急迫，小腹满，全身发黄，额头黑，脚下热，因此形成黑疸。腹胀如水，大便黑，时而溏薄，并非水泻。腹满者难治。硝石、矾石（烧过）等分。研为末。用大麦粥汁调和服用一方寸匕，每日三次。病随大小便而去，小便黄，大便黑，这是病愈的征候。（引自《金匮要略》）
手足不遂的大风病，及丹石热风导致的不遂。用硝石一两，生乌麻油二斤。放在铛中，用土堑盖住口，用纸泥密封固定，用火煎煮。开始时气味腥，熟后气味香。再加生麻油二升，合煎得当，收入不透气的容器中。服用时坐在室内，重新搭建小纸屋，在内燃火，服用一大合，发汗，体力强者每日服两次。三七日，头面部的疮疡都会减轻，但必须以火作为辅助手段。（引自波罗门僧方）
[Scent and Flavor] Bitter, extremely cold, non-toxic. Li Shizhen says: Pungent, bitter, extremely warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Wind-heat-induced epilepsy (epilepsy caused by wind-heat pathogen), pediatric convulsive disorders (convulsions in children due to fright or wind), wind-dizziness headache, lung qi stagnation causing deafness, mouth ulcers, throat bi (sore throat with obstruction) and pharyngeal blockage, swelling and pain of the gums and jaw, red, hot, and painful eyes, excessive eye discharge and tearing (from *Kaibao Bencao*).
[Elucidation] Tuxu Zhenjun said: Niter is produced by sensing the vapor of sea salt brine; it is a miraculous substance of heaven and earth. It can be cold or warm, slippery or astringent, pungent or bitter, sour or salty. Having remained underground for a thousand years, its color does not change. It can transform seventy-two types of minerals into water, subdue plants, soften metals, refine eight minerals, and even great elixirs cannot do without it.
Li Shizhen said: What Tuxu described is the miraculous transformation of niter. *Bielu* listed it under Mang nitre (Mirabilite), which is an error. Mang nitre belongs to Water, tastes salty and is cold in nature; its action moves downward and cannot ascend, making it Yin within Yin. Thus, it only cleanses accumulation and stagnation in the intestines and stomach, and suppresses evil fire in the San Jiao (Triple Burner). Niter belongs to Fire, tastes pungent with slight bitterness and saltiness, and is extremely warm in nature; its action ascends, representing Fire within Water. Therefore, it can break accumulations, dissipate hardness, treat various heat diseases, ascend and disperse stagnant fire in the San Jiao, and harmonize deficiency-cold in the Zang-Fu organs. When used with Sulfur (Sulfurum), it combines the two Qi, balances Yin and Yang, and has the function of ascending and descending Water and Fire, treating conditions of cold, heat, slackness, and urgency. When processed with Qing Shi (Lapis Micae), it eliminates stagnation and phlegm-fluid retention. Generally, Sulfur is warm and purgative, acting downward; Niter is warm and dispersing, acting upward. Qing Shi is cold and sinking, while Niter is warm and ascending. One ascends, one descends; one is Yin, one is Yang; this is the subtlety of formula preparation. Now, when the military manufactures beacon fires and firearms, using Niter allows them to shoot straight into the clouds, proving its ascending nature. The preface of *Leigong Paozhi Lun* states: "For severe brain pain, insert Niter powder into the nose." This also utilizes its ascending and pungent-dispersing nature, following the principle of contrary treatment. *Benjing* states it is cold, and *Bielu* states it is extremely cold, which resembles the error regarding the cold nature of Borneolum Syntheticum (Ice Borneol). Generally, substances that are pungent and bitter are not extremely cold. Moreover, this substance produces flame when exposed to fire, sharing the nature of Camphora (Camphor) and distilled spirits; how could it be cold or extremely cold? *Shiji · Biography of Cang Gong* records: "The Concubine of King Chuan was pregnant but could not lactate, so she summoned Chunyu Yi. Yi went and gave her a pinch of Henbane medicine (Hyoscyami Semen), taken with wine, after which she immediately lactated. Yi re-examined her pulse, finding it restless. Restlessness indicates excess pathology, so he gave her a dose of Niter. She expelled blood, about five or six pieces the size of beans, and then recovered." This is evidence of removing blood stasis.
[Attached Formulas] Four old formulas, ten new formulas.
Severe Headache: Blowing Niter powder into the nostrils brings immediate relief. (*Paosheng Lun*)
Various Heart and Abdominal Pain: Yan Xiao (Refined Niter) and Realgar (Realgar) each 1 qian. Grind into fine powder. Apply a small amount to the affected area. Named Huolong Dan (Fire Dragon Pill). (*Jixuan Fang*)
Various Waist and Abdominal Pains: Same formula as above.
Red and Swollen Painful Eyes: At bedtime, apply a millet-sized amount of Niter powder into the eye using a chopstick. In the morning, wash it out with salt water. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Eye Opacity/Cataracts: For internal and external opacity in men and women, even if ineffective after three to five months, one application restores vision. Take 1 liang of good Yan Xiao, melt it in a copper vessel, add 2 fen of calcined Minium (Lead Oxide) and 2 fen of Borneolum Syntheticum (Ice Borneol). Quickly scoop into a jar with a copper spoon and store. Apply a small amount per use; the effect is miraculous. Scholar Zhu from Yanzhou suddenly lost his sight, praying to heaven day and night. He dreamed of a deity transmitting this formula, and upon application, he recovered. (*Zhang Sanfeng Xianfang*)
Wind-Heat Throat Bi and Winding Throat Wind Disease. Yu Yaoshi (Jade Key): Use 1.5 liang of Yan Xiao, 1 qian of White Silkworm (Bombyx Batryticatus), 0.5 liang of Borax (Borax), and 1 zi of Borneolum Syntheticum (Ice Borneol). Grind into powder and insufflate into the throat. (*Sanyin Fang*)
Double Tongue and Goose Mouth: Dripping Bamboo Sap mixed with Yan Xiao. (*Puji Fang*)
Summerheat Retention Diarrhea/ Dysentery, Intestinal Wind Bleeding, or Alcohol Toxicity Bleeding: Effective after one dose; chronic cases resolve within three doses. Niter and imported Sulfur each 1 liang, Alum (Alumen) and Talcum (Talcus) 0.5 liang, refined flour 4 liang. Grind into powder, make pills with dripping water the size of wutong seeds. Take 30-50 pills with fresh well water. Named Ganlu Wan (Sweet Dew Pill). (*Puji Fang*)
Five Types of Lin Syndrome: Lao Lin (Exhaustion Lin), Xue Lin (Blood Lin), Re Lin (Heat Lin), Qi Lin (Qi Lin), Shi Lin (Stone Lin), and severe urinary retention. Touge San (Penetrating Obstruction Powder): Use 1 liang of pure white Niter free of soil impurities, raw-ground into powder. Take 2 qian per dose, administered according to specific decoctions for each type.
- Lao Lin: Caused by fatigue and deficiency, inability to urinate, urgent lower abdominal pain. Administer with Okra seed powder decoction. After urination resumes, take tonifying pills/powders.
- Xue Lin: Inability to urinate accompanied by bleeding, pain, and fullness.
- Re Lin: Hot urination, red color, urgent pain below the umbilicus. Both Xue Lin and Re Lin are administered with cold water.
- Qi Lin: Lower abdominal fullness and urgency, dribbling after urination. Administer with Akebia Decoction (Akebiae Caulis).
- Shi Lin: Pain in the urethra, inability to urinate, radiating to lower abdominal distension and urgency, passing sand/stones, causing fainting. First, stir-fry the powder over paper until the paper burns, then regrind. Administer with warm water.
- Urinary Retention: Administer with Wheat Decoction.
- Acute onset of any Lin syndrome: Administer with cold water. Take on an empty stomach, mixing the medicine with water like liquid Niter before ingestion. (Shen Cunzhong, *Lingyuan Fang*)
Jiaolong Mass Disease: See Realgar Elucidation.
Unbearable Pain from Stone-Medication Sores: Surround the area with a paper ring, fill the center completely with Niter, and pour water over it with a spoon. Stop when no heat or pain is felt. (*Bingbu Shouji*)
Early Stage Back Carbuncle: Feeling chilly or developing sores/rashes. Dissolve 3 liang of Niter in 1 sheng of warm water. Let cool. Fold green cloth three times, wet compress the red area. Replace when hot, changing frequently until healed. (*Waitai Miyao*)
Female Labor Black Jaundice: Zhang Zhongjing said: "Jaundice patients fever in the late afternoon, yet feel aversion to cold; this is caused by female labor. Urgency of the bladder, fullness of the lower abdomen, yellowing of the whole body, black forehead, heat in the soles of the feet—thus forming Black Jaundice. Abdominal distension like water, black stool, occasionally loose, not watery diarrhea. Abdominal fullness is difficult to treat. Niter and Calcined Alum in equal parts. Grind into powder. Mix with barley gruel juice and take one fangcun bi (measure) per dose, three times daily. The disease exits via urine and stool; yellow urine and black stool indicate recovery." (*Jingui Yaolue*)
Hemiplegia from Great Wind, and Hemiplegia from Dan-Shi Wind-Heat: Use 1 liang of Niter and 2 jin of raw Sesame Oil. Place in a cauldron, cover with earth, seal with paper mud, and simmer over fire. Initially smelly, becomes fragrant when cooked. Add another 2 sheng of raw sesame oil and continue simmering appropriately. Store in a non-porous container. To take, sit in a room where a small paper hut has been built with fire burning inside. Take one dahe (measure), induce sweating. Those with strong constitutions take twice daily. After 21 days, head and facial sores will diminish. However, fire must be used as an assistant method. (Brahmin Monk Formula)