（《本经》上品）
【释名】时珍曰∶曾，音层。其青层层而生，故名。或云其生从实至空，从空至层，故
曰曾青也。
【集解】《别录》曰∶曾青，生蜀中山谷及越 ，采无时。能化金铜。
普曰∶生蜀郡石山。其山有铜处，曾青出其阳。青者，铜之精。
弘景曰∶旧说与空青同山，疗体亦相似。今铜官更无曾青，惟出始兴。形累累如黄连相
缀，色理小类空青，甚难得而贵，《仙经》少用之。化金之事，法同空青。
恭曰∶出蔚州者好，鄂州者次之，余州并不任用。
时珍曰∶但出铜处，年古即生。形如黄连相缀，又如蚯蚓屎，方棱，色深如波斯青黛，
层层而生，打之如金声者为真。《造化指南》云∶层青生铜矿中，乃石绿之得道者。肌肤得
东方正色，可以合炼大丹，点化与三黄齐驱。《衡山记》云∶山有层青冈，出层青，可合仙
药。
【修治】 曰∶凡使，勿用夹石及铜青。每一两，要紫背天葵、甘草、青芝草三件，干
湿各一镒，细锉，放瓷锅内，安青于中。东流水二镒，缓缓煮之，五昼夜，勿令水火失时。
取出以东流水浴过，研乳如粉用。
【气味】酸，小寒，无毒。
之才曰∶畏菟丝子。
独孤滔曰∶曾青住火成膏，可结汞，制丹砂，盖含金气所生也。须酒醋渍煮用。
葛洪曰∶曾青涂铁，色赤如铜。
【主治】目痛，止泪出，风痹，利关节，通九窍，破症坚积聚。久服轻身不老（《本经》）。
养肝胆，除寒热，杀白虫，疗头风脑中寒，止烦渴，补不足，盛阴气（《别录》）。
【发明】时珍曰∶曾青治目，义同空青。古方辟邪太乙神精丹用之，扁鹊治积聚留饮有
层青丸，并见《古今录验》方，药多不录。
【附方】新三。
斑疮入目不退者∶曾青一钱，丹砂二钱。为末。蛴螬五枚，捣汁和点。（《圣济录》）
风热目病∶曾青散∶治一切风热毒瓦斯上攻，目赤或烂，怕日羞明，隐涩眵泪，或痒或痛。
曾青四两，蔓荆子二两，白姜（炮）、防风各一两。为末。每以少许 鼻中，立有功效。（《和
剂局方》）
耳内恶疮∶曾青五钱，雄黄七钱半，黄芩二钱五分。为末，敷之。（《卫生宝鉴》）
（被列为《神农本草经》上品）
【释名】李时珍说：曾，读音同“层”。这种矿物青色层层生长，所以得名。也有人说它从矿实处生成至空洞处，再从空洞处层层生长，因此叫曾青。
【集解】《名医别录》说：曾青，产于蜀地的山谷以及越地，采集没有固定时间。它能熔化金和铜。
鲍氏说：产于蜀郡的石山。那些山中有铜的地方，曾青就生长在山的南面（阳面）。青色，是铜的精气所化。
陶弘景说：旧时的说法认为曾青与空青出自同一座山，治疗作用也相似。如今在铜官已经找不到曾青了，只有始兴出产。形状像黄连一样连缀成串，颜色和纹理略微类似空青，非常难得且昂贵，《仙经》中很少使用它。关于熔化金属的事情，方法同空青一样。
苏恭说：蔚州出产的质量好，鄂州出产的次之，其他州出产的都不可用。
李时珍说：只要是有铜的地方，年代久远就会生成。形状像黄连连缀在一起，又像蚯蚓粪，呈方棱状，颜色深如波斯青黛，层层生长，敲击时发出金属声音的是真品。《造化指南》说：层青生长在铜矿中，是经过修炼的石绿。它的肌肤呈现出东方的正色（青色），可以用来合炼大丹，点化药物可与三黄（雄黄、雌黄、石黄）并驾齐驱。《衡山记》说：山上有层青冈，出产层青，可以配合制作仙药。
【修治】寇宗奭说：凡是使用曾青，不要选用夹杂石头及铜青的。每一两曾青，需要紫背天葵、甘草、青芝草各一件，干湿各一镒（古代重量单位），切碎后放入瓷锅中，将曾青放在其中。加入二镒东流水，慢慢煮制，历时五个昼夜，不要让水火失去时机。取出后用东流水冲洗，研磨成粉末使用。
【气味】味酸，性小寒，无毒。
徐之才说：畏忌菟丝子。
独孤滔说：曾青经过火炼变成膏状，可以凝结水银，制约丹砂，这是因为含有金气所产生的缘故。必须用酒醋浸泡煮过后才能使用。
葛洪说：将曾青涂在铁上，颜色变红如同铜色。
【主治】目痛，止泪出，风痹，利关节，通九窍，破症坚积聚。久服轻身不老（《神农本草经》）。
养肝胆，除寒热，杀白虫，疗头风脑中寒，止烦渴，补不足，盛阴气（《名医别录》）。
【发明】李时珍说：曾青治疗眼病，原理与空青相同。古方辟邪太乙神精丹中使用它，扁鹊治疗积聚留饮有层青丸，均见于《古今录验》方中，其他药物大多未收录。
【附方】新收三则。
斑疮入目不退者：曾青一钱，丹砂二钱。研为末。蛴螬五枚，捣汁调和后点眼。（《圣济录》）
风热目病：曾青散：治疗一切风热毒瓦斯上攻，眼睛红肿或溃烂，怕日羞明，隐涩眵泪，或痒或痛。曾青四两，蔓荆子二两，白姜（炮制）、防风各一两。研为末。每次取少许吹入鼻中，立即见效。（《和剂局方》）
耳内恶疮：曾青五钱，雄黄七钱半，黄芩二钱五分。研为末，敷患处。（《卫生宝鉴》）
(Recorded as a Superior Grade herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica])
[Names] Li Shizhen stated: "Zeng" is pronounced like "Ceng" (layer). Its blue-green color grows in layers, hence the name. Some say it forms from solid ore to hollow spaces, and then layer by layer from the hollows, thus called Zengqing.
[Collection & Description] The *Bie Lu* [Supplementary Records] states: Zengqing is found in the valleys of Shu and Yue regions, and can be collected at any time. It has the property of transforming gold and copper.
Bao stated: It is found in the stone mountains of Shu Commandery. Wherever copper exists in these mountains, Zengqing emerges on the sunny side (Yang face). The blue-green hue is the essence of copper.
Tao Hongjing stated: Old theories suggest that Zengqing and Kongqing [Hollow Azure Mineral] come from the same mountain and have similar therapeutic properties. Currently, no Zengqing is found in Tongguan; it is only produced in Shixing. Its shape resembles linked Coptis chinensis [Huanglian], with colors and textures slightly resembling Kongqing. It is very rare and expensive, and rarely used in *Xian Jing* [Immortal Classics]. The method for transforming metals is the same as for Kongqing.
Su Gong stated: Those from Weizhou are of good quality, those from Ezhou are secondary, and those from other prefectures are not usable.
Li Shizhen stated: It grows wherever copper is present, given enough time. Its shape resembles linked Coptis chinensis or earthworm excrement, with square edges, deep blue-green color like Persian Indigo, growing in layers. Those that produce a metallic sound when struck are authentic. The *Zaohua Zhinan* [Guide to Creation] states: Layer Qing grows in copper mines and is considered an enlightened form of Malachite. Its skin possesses the correct eastern color (blue-green), suitable for refining great elixirs, and its alchemical transformation rivals the Three Yellows [Realgar, Orpiment, and Yellow Ocher]. The *Hengshan Ji* [Records of Heng Mountain] states: There are trees called Layer Qing Gang on the mountain, producing Layer Qing, which can be combined to make immortal medicines.
[Processing] Kou Zongshi stated: When using Zengqing, do not use pieces containing attached stones or Copper Green [Malachite powder]. For every one qian [approx. 3-5g] of Zengqing, take Zi Bei Tian Kui [Ophiopogon japonicus var. bulbifer], Gan Cao [Licorice Root], and Qing Zhi Cao [Artemisia argyi] in equal amounts (one unit each), dry or moist, one yi [ancient weight unit] each. Finely chop them, place them in a porcelain pot, and put the Zengqing inside. Add two yi of East-flowing water, and slowly boil for five days and nights, ensuring the fire and water timing are precise. Remove it, wash with East-flowing water, grind into a fine powder, and use.
[Properties & Flavor] Sour, slightly cold, non-toxic.
Xu Zhicai stated: It is inhibited by Tusizi [Cuscuta seed].
Dugu Tao stated: When Zengqing is calcined into a paste, it can amalgamate mercury and control Cinnabar, because it generates from metal qi. It must be soaked and boiled in wine and vinegar before use.
Ge Hong stated: Applying Zengqing to iron turns it red like copper.
[Indications] Eye pain, stopping tearing, wind-bi [Wind-Dampness obstruction], benefiting joints, unblocking the nine orifices, breaking hard masses and accumulations. Long-term use lightens the body and prevents aging (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Nourishes Liver and Gallbladder, eliminates chills and fever, kills white parasites, treats head wind and cold in the brain, stops irritability and thirst, supplements deficiencies, and strengthens Yin Qi (*Bie Lu*).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: Zengqing treats eye conditions based on the same principle as Kongqing. Ancient formulas such as Pi Xie Tai Yi Shen Jing Dan [Evil-Repelling Great One Divine Spirit Elixir] use it. Bian Que's formula for treating accumulations and retained fluids, Cengqing Wan [Layer Qing Pill], is also recorded in *Gujin Luyan* [Records Verified Through Generations]. Most other ingredients are not listed here.
[Attached Formulas] Three new formulas.
For pox entering the eyes and not receding: Zengqing 1 qian, Zhusha [Cinnabar] 2 qian. Grind into powder. Take 5 larvae of *Otiorhynchus sulcatus* [Woodlouse larva], crush to extract juice, mix with the powder, and apply to the eyes (*Shengji Lu*).
Wind-Heat Eye Disease: Zengqing San [Layer Qing Powder]: Treats all wind-heat toxic vapors attacking upward, causing red or ulcerated eyes, photophobia, gritty sensation with discharge/tears, itching or pain. Zengqing 4 liang, Man Jing Zi [Vitex fruit] 2 liang, Bai Jiang [Prepared Ginger Rhizome], Fang Feng [Saposhnikovia root] 1 liang each. Grind into powder. Blow a small amount into the nose; efficacy is immediate (*Heji Jufang* [Formulas of the Bureau of Prescriptions]).
Malignant sores in the ear: Zengqing 5 qian, Xionghuang [Realgar] 7.5 qian, Huang Qin [Scutellaria root] 2.5 qian. Grind into powder and apply externally (*Weisheng Baojian* [Precious Mirror of Health]).