是初采扫得，一煎而成者，未经再炼治，故曰朴硝。其味酷涩，所以力坚急而不和，
可以熟生牛马皮，及治金银有伪。葛洪治食 不化，取此以荡逐之。腊月中出新瓦罐，满注
热水，用朴硝二升，投汤中，搅散，挂北檐下，俟消渗出罐外，羽收之。以人乳汁调半钱，
扫一切风热毒瓦斯攻注目睑外，及发于头面、四肢肿痛，应手神验。
经云∶生于朴硝。乃是朴硝以水淋汁，澄清，再经熬炼减半，倾木盆中，经宿，遂结
芒有廉棱者。故其性和缓，古今多用以治伤寒。
是再煎炼时，已取讫芒硝凝结在下如石者。精英既去，但余滓而已。故功力亦缓，惟
能发烟火。《唐本》注∶“盖以能消化诸石，故名硝石”。煎柳枝汤煮三周时，即伏火，汤
耗，即又添柳枝汤。
是消之精英者。其味甘，即马牙硝也。别有法，炼治而成。由其煎炼，故其味亦别。
治五脏积热。然四物本出于一物。由此煎炼，故分出精粗，所以其用亦不相远。
今坊州矾务，以野火烧过石，取以煎矾。色惟白，不逮晋州者。皆不可多服，损心肺
、却水故也。水化书纸上，才干，水不能濡，故知其性却水。治涎药多须者，用此意尔。火
枯为粉，贴嵌甲。牙缝中血出如衄者，贴之亦愈。
这是初次采集并经过一次煎煮而成的，没有经过再次炼制加工，所以称为朴硝。它味道极其苦涩，因此药力峻猛急切而不够平和，能够煮熟生牛马皮，也可以用来鉴别金银的真伪。葛洪治疗食积不化，取用此药来荡涤攻逐病邪。在腊月期间，准备一个新的瓦罐，装满热水，投入二升朴硝，搅拌使其溶解，悬挂在北屋檐下，等待其渗出结晶附着在罐外，用羽毛收集起来。用人乳汁调和半钱（约1.5-2克），涂抹于一切风热毒瓦斯侵袭导致的目睑红肿，以及头面、四肢突发肿痛之处，效果迅速且神奇。
经书云：芒硝是由朴硝制成的。那是将朴硝用水淋滤取汁，澄清后，再经过熬炼使体积减半，倒入木盆中，过夜之后，便结成有棱角的针状晶体。因此它的药性相对和缓，古今多用来治疗伤寒病。
这是第二次煎炼时，已经取走了芒硝凝结在下部如石头一样的部分。精华既已去除，只剩下渣滓罢了。所以它的药效也较为缓慢，只能引发类似烟火爆发的燥烈之性。《唐本草》注解说：“大概是因为它能消化各种石头，所以名叫硝石。”用柳枝汤煎煮三周时间，就能抑制火性，如果汤汁消耗了，就继续添加柳枝汤。
这是从朴硝中提取出的精华部分。它的味道甘甜，也就是马牙硝。另有方法，通过炼制加工而成。由于经过煎炼，所以味道也不同。用于治疗五脏的积热。然而这四种药物本都来源于同一种物质。由此经过不同的煎炼过程，从而分出精与粗，所以它们的作用也不相太远。
现在的坊州矾务，用野火烧过矿石，取出来煎制明矾。颜色只有白色，不如晋州的明矾好。这些药物都不可以多服，因为会损伤心肺，且具有退水湿的特性。将明矾溶于水涂在纸上，纸干了以后，水也不能浸湿，所以知道它具有退水湿的性质。治疗痰涎的药物大多需要用到它，就是利用这个原理。将其火煅枯研成粉末，贴敷嵌甲（指甲长入肉里）。牙缝中出血像鼻衄一样严重的，贴敷也能治愈。
现在称之为画石，因为它质地软滑可以用来书写绘画。淋证患者多用。如果突然发生呕吐逆乱不能进食，取生品细末二钱匕（约6克），用温水送服，随后立即喝下半盏热面条汤，以压制药势。
This is obtained from the initial collection and formed after a single decoction, without undergoing further refining processes; hence it is called *Puxiao* (Mirabilite). Its taste is extremely astringent and bitter, thus its action is firm, urgent, and not harmonious. It can cook raw hides of cattle and horses, and is used to test the authenticity of gold and silver. Ge Hong used this substance to purge and expel food stagnation that fails to digest. In the twelfth lunar month, take a new earthenware jar, fill it with hot water, add two *sheng* (approx. 0.6 L) of *Puxiao*, stir until dissolved, and hang it under the north eaves. Wait for the crystals to seep out onto the exterior of the jar, then collect them using feathers. Mix half a *qian* (approx. 1.5–2 g) with human breast milk and apply to any swelling or pain in the eyelids caused by wind-heat toxic pathogens, as well as sudden swelling and pain in the head, face, limbs, and extremities; the effect is immediate and miraculous.
The Classics state: *Mangxiao* (Thenardite) is derived from *Puxiao*. This involves leaching *Puxiao* with water to obtain the juice, clarifying it, and then boiling it down until the volume is halved. Pouring it into a wooden basin and leaving it overnight causes needle-like crystals with sharp edges to form. Therefore, its nature is milder, and since ancient times it has been widely used to treat *Shanghan* (Cold Damage disease).
This refers to the portion remaining after the second refining process, where the *Mangxiao* has already crystallized at the bottom like stone. Since the essence has been removed, only dregs remain. Consequently, its efficacy is also slower, possessing only a dry, fiery, and irritating quality. The *Tang Bencao* commentary notes: "It is likely named *Xiaoshi* (Niter) because it can dissolve various stones." When boiled in willow branch decoction for three weeks, it suppresses fire properties; if the liquid evaporates, more willow branch decoction should be added.
This is the extracted essence from *Puxiao*. Its taste is sweet, and it is known as *Yayanxiao* (Halotrichite). There are other methods of refining it. Due to the refining process, its taste differs. It treats accumulated heat in the five zang organs. However, these four substances originally come from one source. Through different refining processes, they are separated into refined and coarse parts, so their therapeutic applications are not far apart.
At the Fangzhou Alum Office today, wild fires are used to calcine the ore before extracting alum. The color is purely white, inferior to that from Jinzhou. None of these should be taken in large doses, as they damage the heart and lungs due to their ability to drain dampness/water. When dissolved in water and painted on paper, once dry, water cannot wet it again, proving its property of repelling water. Many phlegm-resolving medicines require it, utilizing this principle. Calcined into powder and applied topically, it treats ingrown nails (onychocryptosis). For bleeding from the gum margins resembling epistaxis, topical application also heals it.
It is now called *Huashi* (Talc), because it is soft and slippery enough for writing or drawing. Patients with *Lin* syndrome (dysuria) often use it. If sudden vomiting and inability to eat occur, take two *qianbi* (approx. 6 g) of raw fine powder, swallow with warm water, and immediately follow with half a cup of hot noodle soup to moderate the drug's action.