（《本经》中品）
【释名】汞（《别录》）、 （汞同）、灵液（《纲目》）、 女（《药性》）。
时珍曰∶其状如水似银，故名水银。 者，流动貌。方术家以水银和牛、羊、豕三脂杵
成膏，以通草为炷，照于有金宝处，即知金、银、铜、铁、铅、玉、龟、蛇、妖怪，故谓之
灵液。颂曰∶《广雅》∶水银谓之 。丹灶家名汞，其字亦通用尔。
【集解】《别录》曰∶水银生符陵平土，出于丹砂。
弘景曰∶今水银有生熟。此云生符陵平土者，是出朱砂腹中，亦有别出沙地者，青白色，
最胜。出于丹砂者，是今烧粗末朱砂所得，色小白浊，不及生者。甚能消化金银，使成泥，
人以镀物是也。烧时飞着釜上灰，名汞粉，俗呼为水银灰，最能去虱。
恭曰∶水银出于朱砂，皆因热气，未闻朱砂腹中自出之者
。火烧飞取，人皆解法。南人蒸取之，得水银虽少，而朱砂不损，但色少变霍尔。
颂曰∶今出秦州、商州、道州、邵武军，而秦州乃来自西羌界。《经》云出于丹砂者，
乃是山石中采粗次朱砂，作炉置砂于中，下承以水，上覆以盆，器外加火 养，则烟飞于上，
水银溜于下，其色小白浊。陶氏言别出沙地者青白色，今不闻有此。西羌人亦云如此烧取，
但其山中所生极多，至于一山自拆裂，人采得砂石，皆大块如升斗，碎之乃可烧 ，故西来
水银极多于南方者。又取草汞法∶用细叶马齿苋干之，十斤得水银八两或十两。先以槐木槌
之，向日东作架晒之，三、二日即干。如经年久，烧存性，盛入瓦瓮内，封口，埋土坑中四
十九日，取出自成矣。
时珍曰∶汞出于砂为真汞。雷 言有草汞。陶弘景言有沙地汞。《淮南子》言弱土之气
生白 石， 石生白 。苏颂言陶说者不闻有之。按《陈霆墨谈》云。拂林国当日没之处
，地有水银海，周遭四五十里。国人取之，近海十里许掘坑井数十，乃使健夫骏马，皆贴金
箔，行近海边。日照金光晃耀，则水银滚沸如潮而来，其势若粘裹。其人即回马疾驰，水
银随赶。若行缓，则人马俱扑灭也。人马行速，则水银势远力微，遇坑堑而溜积于中。然
后取之，用香草同煎，则成花银，此与中国所产不同。按∶此说似与陶氏沙地所出相合；又
与陈藏器言人服水银病拘挛，但炙金物熨之，则水银必出蚀金之说相符。盖外番多丹砂，其
液自流为水银，不独炼砂取出，信矣。胡演《丹药秘诀》云∶取砂汞法∶用瓷瓶盛朱砂，不
拘多少，以纸封口，香汤煮一伏时，取入水火鼎内，炭塞口，铁盘盖定。凿地一孔，放碗一
个盛水，连盘覆鼎于碗上，盐泥固缝，周遭加火 之，待冷取出，汞自流入碗矣。邕州溪峒
烧取极易，以百两为一铫，铫之制似猪脬，外糊浓纸数重，贮之即不走漏。若撒失在地，但
以川椒末或茶末收之，或以真金及 石引之即上。
嘉谟曰∶取去汞之砂壳，名天流，可点化。
【修治】 曰∶凡使勿用草汞并旧朱漆中者，经别药制过者，在尸中过者，半生半死者。
其朱砂中水银色微红，收得后用葫芦贮之，免遗失。若先以紫背天葵并夜交藤自然汁二味同
煮一伏时，其毒自退。若修十两，二汁各七镒。
【气味】辛，寒，有毒。权曰∶有大毒。大明曰∶无毒。
之才曰∶畏磁石、砒霜。
宗 曰∶水银得铅则凝，得硫则结，并枣肉研则散，别法 为腻粉、粉霜，唾研之死虱，
铜得之则明，灌尸中则后腐，以金银铜铁置其上则浮，得紫河车则伏，得川椒则收。可以勾
金，可为涌泉匮，盖借死水银之气也。
土宿真君曰∶荷叶、松叶、松脂、谷精草、萱草、金星草、瓦松、夏枯草、忍冬、莨菪
子、雁来红、马蹄香、独脚莲、水慈菇，皆能制汞。
【主治】疥 痂疡白秃，杀皮肤中虱，堕胎除热，杀金银铜锡毒。熔化还复为丹，久服
神仙不死（《本经》）。以敷男子阴，阴消无气（《别录》）。
利水道，去热毒（藏器）。主天行热疾，除风，安神镇心，治恶疮 疥，杀虫，催生，
下死胎（大明）。治小儿惊热涎潮（宗 ）。镇坠痰逆，呕吐反胃（时珍）。
【发明】弘景曰∶还复为丹，事出《仙经》。酒和日曝，服之长生。权曰∶水银有大毒，
朱砂中液也。乃还丹之元母，神仙不死之药，能伏炼五金为泥。《抱朴子》
曰∶丹砂烧之成水银，积变又还成丹砂，其去凡草木远矣，故能令人长生。金汞在九窍，
则死人为之不朽，况服食乎？
藏器曰∶水银入耳，能食人脑至尽；入肉令百节挛缩，倒阴绝阳。人患疮疥，多以水银
涂之，性滑重，直入肉，宜谨之。头疮切不可用，恐入经络，必缓筋骨，百药不治也。
宗 曰∶水银入药，虽各有法，极须审谨，有毒故也。妇人多服绝娠。今有水银烧成丹
砂，医人不晓误用，不可不谨。唐韩愈云∶太学士李于遇方士柳泌，能烧水银为不死药。以
铅满一鼎，按中为空，实以水银，盖封四际，烧为丹砂。服之下血，四年病益急，乃死。余
不知服食说自何世起，杀人不可计，而世慕尚之益至，此其惑也。在文书所记及耳闻者不说。
今直取目见，亲与之游，而以药败者六、七公，以为世诫。工部尚书归登，自说服水银得病，
有若烧铁杖自颠贯其下，摧而为火，射窍节以出，狂痛呼号泣绝。其 席得水银，发且止，
唾血十数年以毙。殿中御史李虚中，疽发其背死。刑部尚书李逊谓余曰∶我为药误。遂死。
刑部侍郎李建，一旦无病死。工部尚书孟简，邀我于万州，屏人曰∶我得秘药，不可独不死。
今遗子一器，可用枣肉为丸服之。别一年而病。后有人至，讯之，曰∶前所服药误，方且下
之，下则平矣。病二岁卒。东川节度御史大夫卢坦，溺血，肉痛不可忍，乞死。金吾将军李
道古，以柳泌得罪，食泌药，五十死海上。此皆可为戒者也。蕲不死乃速得死，谓之智，可
不可也？五谷三牲，盐醯果蔬，人所常御。人相浓勉，必曰强食。今惑者皆曰∶五谷令人夭，
三牲皆杀人，当务减节。一筵之馔，禁忌十之二、三。不信常道而务鬼怪，临死乃悔。后之
好者又曰∶彼死者皆不得其道也，我则不然。始动曰∶药动故病，病去药行，乃不死矣。及
且死又悔。呜呼！可哀也已。
时珍曰∶水银乃至阴之精，禀沉着之性。得凡火 炼，则飞腾灵变；得人气熏蒸，则入
骨钻筋，绝阳蚀脑。阴毒之物无似之者。而大明言其无毒，《本经》言其久服神仙，甄权言
其还丹元母，《抱朴子》以为长生之药。六朝以下贪生者服食，致成废笃而丧厥躯，不知若
干人矣。方士固不足道，本草其可妄言哉？水银但不可服食尔，而其治病之功，不可掩也。
同黑铅结砂，则镇坠痰涎；同硫黄结砂，则拯救危病。此乃应变之兵，在用者能得肯KT
而执其枢机焉。余见铅白霜及灵砂下。
【附方】旧五，新二十四。
初生不乳，咽中有噤物如麻豆许。用水银米粒大与之，下咽即愈。（《圣惠方》）
小儿痫疾，能压一切热∶水银小豆许，安盏中，沉汤内煮一食顷，与服。勿仰儿头，恐
入脑也。（《圣济方》）
急惊坠涎∶水银半两，生南星一两，麝香半分，为末，入石脑油同捣，和丸绿豆大。每
服一丸，薄荷汤下。失心风疾∶水银一两，藕节八个。研成砂子，丸如芡子大。每服二丸，
磨刀水下，一、二服。（《经验方》）精魅鬼病∶水银一两，浆水一升，炭火煎减三分。取水
银一豆许，神符裹吞之，晚又服，一、二日止。（《广济方》）
反胃吐食，水不能停∶黑铅、水银各一钱半（结砂），舶硫黄五钱，官桂一钱，为末。
每
服六钱，一半米汤，一半自然姜汁，调作一处服。（《圣济录》）消渴烦热∶水银一两，铅一
两（结砂），皂荚一挺（酥炙），麝香一钱。为末。每服半钱，白汤下。（《圣济录》）胆热衄
蔑，
血上妄行∶水银、朱砂、麝香等分。为末。每服半钱，新汲水下。（《宣明方》）血汗不止∶
方同上。
妊妇胎动，母欲死，子尚在，以此下之。水银、朱砂各半两。研膏。以牛膝半两，水五
大盏。煎汁，入蜜调服半匙。（《圣惠方》）
妇人难产∶水银二两，先煮后服，立出。（《梅师方》）
胎死腹中，其母欲死∶水银二两吞之，立出。（《梅师方》）
妇人断产∶水银以麻油煎一日，空心服枣大一丸，永断，不损人。（《妇人良方》）
解金银毒∶水银一两，服之即出。（《千金方》）
误吞金银及环子钗子∶以汞半两吞之，再服即出。（《圣惠方》）
百虫入耳∶水银豆许，倾入耳中，以耳向下，击铜物数声即出。能食人脑，非急切勿用
。（《圣济录》）
头上生虱∶水银和蜡烛油揩之，一夜皆死。（《摘玄方》）
腋下狐臭∶水银、胡粉等分，以面脂和，频掺之。（《千金方》）
少年面 ∶水银、胡粉等分。研，腊猪脂和。夜涂旦拭，勿见水，三度瘥。（《肘后方》）
老小口疮∶水银一分，黄连六分，水二升，煮五合。含之，日十次。（《普济方》）
白癜风痒∶水银数拭之，即消。（《千金方》）
虫癣瘙痒∶水银、胡粉等分。研敷。又水银、芜荑，和酥敷之。（《外台秘要》）
痔虫作痒∶水银、枣膏各二两同研，绵裹纳下部，明日虫出。（《梅师方》）
恶肉毒疮∶一女年十四，腕软处生物如黄豆大，半在肉中，红紫色，痛甚，诸药不效。
一方士以水银四两，白纸二张揉熟，蘸银擦之，三日自落而愈。（李楼《怪证方》）
一切恶疮∶水银、黄连、胡粉（熬黄），各一两，研匀敷之，干则以唾调。（《肘后方》）
杨梅毒疮∶水银、黑铅各一钱（结砂），黄丹一钱，乳香、没药各五分。为末。以纸卷
作小捻
，染油点灯，日照疮三次，七日见效。方广《附余》∶用水银、黑铅（结砂）、银朱各二钱，
白花蛇一钱。为末，作纸捻七条。头日用三条，自后日用一条，香油点灯于炉中，放被内熏
之，勿透风。头上有疮，连头盖之。一方∶水银一钱二分，黑铅、白锡各八分，（共结砂），
黄丹四分，朱砂六分。为末，分作十二纸捻，以香油浸灯盏内，点于小桶中。以被围病患坐
之，以鼻细细吸烟，三日后口出恶物为效。
痘后生翳∶水银一钱，虢丹五钱。研作六丸，坩锅糊定，火 一日取出，薄绵裹之。左
翳塞右耳，右翳塞左耳，自然坠下。（危氏方）
【《神农本草经》列为中品】
【名称解释】汞（出自《名医别录》）、 （“ ”与“汞”同义）、灵液（出自《本草纲目》）、 女（出自《药性论》）。
李时珍说：它的形状像水又像银，所以叫水银。“ ”字，形容流动的样子。方术之士用水银和牛、羊、猪三种动物的脂肪一起捣碎成膏，用通草做灯芯，照射有金银珠宝的地方，就能知道是金、银、铜、铁、铅、玉、龟、蛇还是妖怪，所以称之为灵液。苏颂说：《广雅》记载：水银叫做 。炼丹家称它为汞，这个字也是通用的。
【集解】《名医别录》说：水银产于符陵的平地，是从丹砂中产生的。
陶弘景说：现在的水银有生熟之分。这里说的产于符陵平地的，是从朱砂腹中取出的，也有从沙地中另外产出的，呈青白色，品质最好。从丹砂烧制出来的，是将粗末朱砂加热所得，颜色白而浑浊，不如生者好。它非常能溶解金银，使其变成泥状，人们用它来镀物。加热时飞散到锅上的灰烬，名叫汞粉，俗称水银灰，最能杀灭虱子。
孟诜说：水银出于朱砂，都是因为热气的作用，没听说过朱砂腹中自然流出的。
苏颂说：现在秦州、商州、道州、邵武军出产，其中秦州的水银来自西羌地区。《神农本草经》说水银出于丹砂，其实是开采山中粗糙劣质的朱砂，放入炉中，下面放置盛水的容器，上面覆盖盆子，在器皿外加火煅烧，烟气升腾到上面，水银就凝结在下面，颜色白而浑浊。陶弘景说的另出沙地的青白色水银，现在没听说有这种了。西羌人也说这样烧取，但他们山中所产的极多，甚至有一座山自己裂开，人们采集得到的砂石，都是大块如升斗大小，打碎后才能烧制，所以从西方来的水银比南方的多得多。又有采取草汞的方法：用细叶马齿苋晒干，十斤可得水银八两或十两。先用槐木槌打，对着太阳向东架起晾晒，两三天就干了。如果存放很久，烧至保留药性，装入瓦瓮内，封口，埋在土坑中四十九天，取出自然就形成了。
李时珍说：汞从砂中产生的是真汞。雷敩说有草汞。陶弘景说有沙地汞。《淮南子》说弱土之气生成白石英，白石英生成白 。苏颂说陶弘景的说法没听说过。查考《陈霆墨谈》记载：拂菻国（古代对罗马帝国或阿拉伯地区的称呼）日落之处，有水银海，周围四五十里。当地人取水银，在海边十里左右挖掘数十个坑井，让强壮的男子骑着骏马，身上都贴上金箔，走到海边附近。阳光照耀下金光闪耀，水银就像潮水一样滚滚而来，气势好像粘裹住人马。这些人就骑马疾驰，水银随之追赶。如果走得慢，人马就会被水银淹没扑灭。人马跑得快，水银的气势就远、力量就微弱，遇到坑洼就溜积在其中。然后才去收取，用香草一起煎煮，就变成花银，这与中国所产的不同。按：这种说法似乎与陶弘景所说的沙地所出水银相符合；又与陈藏器说的人服食水银导致拘挛，只要炙烤金属物品熨烫它，水银就会出来腐蚀金属的说法相符。大概外国多丹砂，其液体自然流出成为水银，不只是通过炼砂取出，确实如此。胡演《丹药秘诀》说：取砂汞的方法：用瓷瓶盛放朱砂，不管多少，用纸封口，用香汤煮一个时辰（十二小时），取出放入水火鼎内，用炭塞住口，铁盘盖定。在地上凿一个孔，放一个碗盛水，连同盘子把鼎覆在碗上，用盐泥封固缝隙，四周加火煅烧，待冷却后取出，汞就自然流入碗中矣。邕州的溪峒地区烧取水银很容易，以百两为一铫（一种小锅），铫的形状像猪膀胱，外面糊上几层厚纸，装进去就不会泄漏。如果撒失在地上，只要用川椒末或茶末收集，或者用真金及 石引导它就会附着上来。
嘉谟说：取去汞后的朱砂壳，名叫天流，可以点化。
【修治】雷敩说：凡是使用的时候，不要用草汞以及旧朱漆中的水银，经过其他药物炮制过的，在尸体中浸泡过的，半生半死的。朱砂中的水银色微红，收好后用葫芦储存，以免遗失。如果先用紫背天葵和夜交藤的自然汁这两种药共同煮一个时辰，它的毒性自然消退。如果要修治十两，两种汁各用七镒（古重量单位）。
【气味】辛味，寒性，有毒。李权说：有大毒。马志（大明）说：无毒。
徐之才说：畏惧磁石、砒霜。
寇宗奭说：水银遇到铅就会凝固，遇到硫黄就会结块，并枣肉研磨就会散开，其他方法制成腻粉、粉霜，用唾液研磨可杀死死虱，铜得到它就会明亮，灌入尸体中则后面不腐烂，把金银铜铁放在上面就会浮起，得到紫河车就会潜伏，得到川椒就会收敛。可以用来勾连黄金，可以作为涌泉匮（比喻深藏不露或某种特定用途），大概是借助死水银的气性罢了。
土宿真君说：荷叶、松叶、松脂、谷精草、萱草、金星草、瓦松、夏枯草、忍冬、莨菪子、雁来红、马蹄香、独脚莲、水慈菇，都能制约水银。
【主治】疥疮痂疡白秃，杀灭皮肤中的虱子，堕胎除热，杀灭金银铜锡的毒性。（出自《神农本草经》）涂抹男子阴部，会导致阴消无气（出自《名医别录》）。
利水道，去热毒（陈藏器）。主治流行性热病，祛风，安神镇心，治疗恶疮疥癣，杀虫，催生，排出死胎（马志）。治疗小儿惊热涎潮（寇宗奭）。镇坠痰逆，呕吐反胃（李时珍）。
【发明】陶弘景说：还复为丹，事情出自《仙经》。用酒调和日晒，服用可以长生。李权说：水银有大毒，是朱砂中的液体。乃是还丹的元母，神仙不死的药，能伏炼五金变成泥。《抱朴子》说：丹砂烧之成为水银，积累变化又变回丹砂，它远离凡草木，所以能让人长生。金汞存在于九窍，死人就不朽腐，何况是服食呢？
陈藏器说：水银进入耳朵，能吃光人的脑髓；进入肌肉会让全身关节挛缩，导致阴阳断绝。人患疮疥，多用水银涂抹，性质滑重，直接深入肌肉，应该谨慎。头疮切不可用，恐怕进入经络，必然松弛筋骨，百药无法医治。
寇宗奭说：水银入药，虽然有各种方法，但极其需要审慎谨慎，因为它有毒的缘故。妇女多服会绝育。现在有把水银烧成丹砂的，医生不懂误用，不可不谨慎。唐代韩愈说：太学士李于遇到方士柳泌，能烧水银为不死药。用铅装满一鼎，中间挖空，填入水银，盖封四周，烧成丹砂。服用后下血，四年病情加重，于是死亡。我不知道服食之说从哪个时代开始，杀人不可计数，而世人羡慕崇尚它却越来越厉害，这是多么迷惑啊。文书记载及耳闻的不说。现在直接选取亲眼所见，亲自交往而以服药败坏身体的六七位公卿，作为世人的警戒。工部尚书归登，自从服用水银得病，感觉像烧红的铁棍从头顶贯穿而下，摧折化为火，射穿窍节而出，疯狂疼痛呼号哭泣昏厥。他的席子上沾得水银，头发脱落且停止生长，吐血十多年而死。殿中御史李虚中，背上发疽而死。刑部尚书李逊对我说：我被药物所误。于是死去。刑部侍郎李建，一天无故病死。工部尚书孟简，在万州邀请我，屏退旁人对我说：我得到了秘药，不能独自不死。现在留给我儿子一剂，可以用枣肉做成丸服用。分别一年后生病了。后来有人到来，询问他，他说：之前服用的药有误，正在攻下它，攻下后就平复了。病了两年去世。东川节度御史大夫卢坦，溺血，肉痛不可忍受，乞求死亡。金吾将军李道古，因为柳泌获罪，吃了柳泌的药，在海上五十岁死去。这些都可以作为警戒。追求不死反而加速死亡，称之为智慧，可以吗？五谷三牲，盐醋果蔬，是人们日常食用的。人们互相勉励，一定说强食。现在迷惑的人都说是五谷令人短命，三牲皆杀人，应当致力于减少节制。一顿饭的菜肴，禁忌十分之二三。不信奉常理而追求鬼怪，临死才后悔。后来的喜好者又说：那些死者都没得其法，我不这样。刚开始动时说：药动故生病，病去药行，就不死了。等到快要死了又后悔。唉！可悲啊。
李时珍说：水银是至阴的精气，禀受沉着之性。得到凡火锻炼，就飞腾灵变；得到人气熏蒸，就入骨钻筋，断绝阳气腐蚀大脑。阴毒之物没有像它的。而马志说它无毒，《神农本草经》说久服成神仙，甄权说它是还丹元母，《抱朴子》认为是长生之药。六朝以下贪生的人服食，导致成为废笃而丧失身躯，不知道有多少人了。方士本来不足道，本草怎么可以妄言呢？水银只不可以服食罢了，但它治病的功能，是不可掩盖的。同黑铅结成砂，就能镇坠痰涎；同硫黄结成砂，就能拯救危病。这是应变的兵法，在于使用者能掌握关键并抓住枢机。我在铅白霜及灵砂条目下见过相关记载。
【附方】旧方五个，新方二十四个。
初生婴儿不吮乳，咽中有噤物如麻豆大。用水银米粒大小给服，咽下即愈。（《太平圣惠方》）
小儿痫疾，能压制一切热症：水银小豆大小，放在盏中，沉入汤内煮一顿饭的时间，给服。不要让婴儿仰头，恐怕进入脑部。（《济生方》/《圣济总录》）
急惊风坠痰涎：水银半两，生南星一两，麝香半分，研为末，加入石脑油共同捣碎，和丸如绿豆大。每次服一丸，薄荷汤送下。失心风疾：水银一两，藕节八个。研成砂子，丸如芡子大。每次服二丸，磨刀水下，一至二服。（《经验方》）精魅鬼病：水银一两，浆水一升，炭火煎减三分。取水银一豆大小，用神符包裹吞服，晚上再服，一至二日止。（《广济方》）
反胃吐食，水不能停：黑铅、水银各一钱半（结成砂），舶硫黄五钱，官桂一钱，研为末。每次服六钱，一半米汤，一半自然姜汁，调匀一处服用。（《圣济总录》）消渴烦热：水银一两，铅一两（结成砂），皂荚一挺（酥炙），麝香一钱。研为末。每次服半钱，白开水送下。（《圣济总录》）胆热鼻衄，血上妄行：水银、朱砂、麝香等分。研为末。每次服半钱，新汲冷水送下。（《宣明论方》）血汗不止：方同上。
孕妇胎动，母亲欲死，胎儿尚在，以此药下之。水银、朱砂各半两。研成膏。用牛膝半两，水五大盏。煎汁，加入蜂蜜调服半匙。（《太平圣惠方》）
妇人难产：水银二两，先煮后服，立即产出。（《梅师方》）
胎死腹中，其母欲死：吞服二两水银，立即产出。（《梅师方》）
妇人断产：水银以麻油煎一日，空腹服枣大一丸，永远断产，不损人。（《妇人大全良方》）
解金银毒：水银一两，服之即出。（《千金方》）
误吞金银及环子钗子：以汞半两吞之，再服即出。（《太平圣惠方》）
百虫入耳：水银豆许，倾入耳中，以耳向下，击铜物数声即出。能食人脑，非紧急切勿用。（《济生方》/《圣济总录》）
头上生虱：水银和蜡烛油揩之，一夜皆死。（《摘玄方》）
腋下狐臭：水银、胡粉等分，以面脂和，频繁掺之。（《千金方》）
少年面皰：水银、胡粉等分。研，腊猪脂和。夜涂旦拭，勿见水，三次痊愈。（《肘后备急方》）
老小口疮：水银一分，黄连六分，水二升，煮五合。含之，日十次。（《普济方》）
白癜风痒：水银数拭之，即消。（《千金方》）
虫癣瘙痒：水银、胡粉等分。研敷。又水银、芜荑，和酥敷之。（《外台秘要》）
痔虫作痒：水银、枣膏各二两同研，绵裹纳下部，明日虫出。（《梅师方》）
恶肉毒疮：一女年十四，腕软处生物如黄豆大，半在肉中，红紫色，痛甚，诸药不效。一方士以水银四两，白纸二张揉熟，蘸银擦之，三日自落而愈。（李楼《怪证方》）
一切恶疮：水银、黄连、胡粉（熬黄），各一两，研匀敷之，干则以唾调。（《肘后备急方》）
杨梅毒疮：水银、黑铅各一钱（结成砂），黄丹一钱，乳香、没药各五分。研为末。以纸卷作小捻，染油点灯，日照疮三次，七日见效。方广《附余》：用水银、黑铅（结成砂）、银朱各二钱，白花蛇一钱。研为末，作纸捻七条。头日用三条，自后日用一条，香油点灯于炉中，放被内熏之，勿透风。头上有疮，连头盖之。一方：水银一钱二分，黑铅、白锡各八分，（共结成砂），黄丹四分，朱砂六分。研为末，分作十二纸捻，以香油浸灯盏内，点于小桶中。以被围病患坐之，以鼻细细吸烟，三日后口出恶物为效。
痘后生翳：水银一钱，虢丹五钱。研作六丸，坩锅糊定，火煅一日取出，薄绵裹之。左翳塞右耳，右翳塞左耳，自然坠下。（危氏方）
[Classified as Middle Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
【Names】Gong (Mercury) (from *Mingyi Bielu*), (synonymous with "Gong"), Lingye (Spiritual Liquid) (from *Bencao Gangmu*), Nv (Female) (from *Yaoxing Lun*).
Li Shizhen states: Its appearance is like water and resembles silver, hence the name Shuiyin (Mercury). The character " " describes a flowing state. Alchemists mix Shuiyin (Mercury) with the fat of cattle, sheep, and pigs, pound it into a paste, use Tongcao (Akebia Caulis) as a wick, and shine it on places containing gold, silver, or treasures to discern whether they are gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, jade, turtles, snakes, or demons; thus it is called Lingye (Spiritual Liquid). Su Song states: *Guangya* records that Shuiyin (Mercury) is called . Alchemists call it Gong (Mercury), and this character is also commonly used.
【Collection and Explanation】*Mingyi Bielu* states: Shuiyin (Mercury) is produced in Pingtu of Fuling and originates from Cinnabar (Zhusha).
Tao Hongjing states: Current Shuiyin (Mercury) exists in raw and cooked forms. The one mentioned as produced in Pingtu of Fuling comes from within the Cinnabar (Zhusha) ore; there are also those found separately in sandy soil, which are bluish-white and of the highest quality. The one derived from Cinnabar (Zhusha) is obtained by heating coarse Cinnabar (Zhusha) powder; its color is white but turbid, inferior to the raw form. It can dissolve gold and silver, turning them into mud, which people use for plating. The ash flying onto the pot during heating is named Gongfen (Mercury Powder), commonly known as Shuiyinhui (Mercury Ash), which is most effective against lice.
Meng Shen states: Shuiyin (Mercury) comes from Cinnabar (Zhusha) due to heat; it has not been heard that it naturally exudes from within the Cinnabar (Zhusha).
Su Song states: It is currently produced in Qinzhou, Shangzhou, Daozhou, and Shaowu Jun, with Qinzhou's supply coming from the Western Qiang border. The *Jing* (Classic) states it comes from Cinnabar (Zhusha); this actually involves mining rough Cinnabar (Zhusha) from mountains, placing it in a furnace, setting a water container below, covering with a basin above, and applying fire outside the vessel. Smoke rises, and Shuiyin (Mercury) condenses below, appearing white and turbid. Tao Hongjing's mention of bluish-white Shuiyin (Mercury) from sandy soil is no longer heard of. People in Western Qiang also say it is extracted this way, but the production in their mountains is extremely abundant; sometimes a mountain splits open, yielding large chunks of sandstone the size of measuring vessels, which must be crushed before calcination. Thus, Shuiyin (Mercury) from the West is far more abundant than that from the South. There is also a method for obtaining Caogong (Herbal Mercury): Dry fine-leaf Purslane (Machixian Cao), ten jin yields eight or ten liang of Shuiyin (Mercury). Pound it first with a locust wood mallet, dry it in the sun facing east on a rack for two or three days. If stored for years, calcine until the nature remains, store in a clay jar, seal it, bury it in a pit for forty-nine days, and upon retrieval, it forms naturally.
Li Shizhen states: Mercury (Gong) derived from cinnabar is true mercury. Lei Xiao mentions Caogong (Herbal Mercury). Tao Hongjing mentions Shadi Gong (Sandy Soil Mercury). *Huainanzi* states that the qi of weak earth generates White Quartz (Baishi), which generates Baiyu (White Jade?). Su Song notes that Tao's theory is unheard of. According to *Chen Ting Motan*: In the land of Fulin (ancient term for Rome or Arab regions) where the sun sets, there is a Sea of Mercury spanning forty to fifty li. Locals extract it by digging dozens of pits within ten li of the sea. Strong men on horses, covered in gold foil, approach the seaside. Sunlight reflects off the gold, causing the mercury to boil and surge like a tide, appearing to cling to the riders. The riders gallop away quickly, and the mercury chases. If they move slowly, the mercury drowns them. If they move fast, the mercury's force weakens and accumulates in depressions. It is then collected and boiled with fragrant herbs to become flower silver, differing from domestic production. This description aligns with Tao Hongjing's sandy soil mercury and Chen Cangqi's account that ingested mercury causes spasms, but can be drawn out by heating metal objects, corroding them. Foreign lands likely have abundant cinnabar, whose liquid naturally flows into mercury, not just through refining. Hu Yan's *Dan Yao Mi Jue* describes the method: Place Cinnabar (Zhusha) in a porcelain bottle, seal with paper, boil in aromatic water for one shichen (12 hours), transfer to a water-fire tripod, seal mouth with charcoal, cover with an iron plate. Dig a hole, place a water-filled bowl, invert the tripod over the bowl, seal seams with salt mud, apply fire around. Upon cooling, mercury flows into the bowl. In Yongzhou's Xidong region, extraction is easy using a small pot shaped like a pig bladder, pasted with thick paper to prevent leakage. If spilled, collect with Sichuan pepper powder or tea leaves, or attract with real gold or magnetite.
Jiamo states: The residue of cinnabar after mercury extraction, named Tianliu, can be used for transmutation.
【Processing】Lei Xiao states: Do not use Caogong (Herbal Mercury), mercury from old vermilion lacquer, mercury processed with other drugs, mercury from corpses, or half-cooked/half-raw mercury. Mercury from cinnabar is slightly red; store in a gourd to prevent loss. Boiling with Zi Bei Tian Kui (Ophiopogon japonicus var. variegatus) and Ye Jiao Teng (Caulis Polygoni Multiflori) natural juices for one shichen reduces toxicity. For ten liang, use seven yi of each juice.
【Flavor and Toxicity】Acrid, Cold, Toxic. Li Quan states: Highly toxic. Ma Zhi (Da Ming) states: Non-toxic. Xu Zhicai states: Averse to Magnetite (Cishi) and Arsenic Trioxide (Pishuang).
Kou Zongshi states: Mercury coagulates with Lead (Qian), binds with Sulfur (Huang), disperses when ground with Jujube flesh, and transforms into Ninifen (Calomel) or Fen Shuang (Sublimate). Ground with saliva, it kills dead lice; makes Copper bright; prevents putrefaction in corpses; floats on Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron; is subdued by Placenta (Ziheche); and is absorbed by Sichuan Pepper. It can alloy gold and serve as a deep reservoir, borrowing the qi of dead mercury.
Tuxu Zhenjun states: Lotus Leaf, Pine Needle, Pine Resin, Sparganium, Daylily, Venus Grass, Houseleek, Prunella, Honeysuckle, Datura Seed, Amaranth, Horse Fragrance, Monochoria, and Water Arrowhead can all control Mercury.
【Indications】Scabies, crusts, ulcers, and tinea capitis; kills skin lice; induces abortion; clears heat; neutralizes toxicity of gold, silver, copper, and tin. Calcined back into cinnabar, long-term use grants immortality (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Applied to male genitals, causes atrophy and loss of Qi (*Mingyi Bielu*).
Promotes urination, removes heat toxins (Chen Cangqi). Treats epidemic febrile diseases, expels wind, calms the spirit, treats severe sores and scabies, kills parasites, induces labor, expels dead fetus (Ma Zhi). Treats pediatric convulsions with fever and salivary overflow (Kou Zongshi). Settles rebellious phlegm, treats vomiting and reverse peristalsis (Li Shizhen).
【Elucidation】Tao Hongjing states: Returning to cinnabar is from *Xian Jing*. Mixed with wine and sun-dried, it promotes longevity. Li Quan states: Mercury is highly toxic, the fluid of Cinnabar (Zhusha). It is the mother of the Elixir, the drug of immortality, capable of subduing five metals into mud. *Baopuzi* states: Cinnabar burned becomes mercury; accumulated and transformed, it returns to cinnabar. Far removed from common herbs, it enables longevity. If gold and mercury enter the nine orifices, corpses do not decay, let alone ingestion.
Chen Cangqi states: Mercury entering the ear eats the brain completely; entering flesh causes joint spasms and yin-yang severance. Used for sores, its slippery and heavy nature penetrates flesh deeply; caution is needed. Never use on head sores, as it may enter meridians, relax sinews and bones, becoming incurable.
Kou Zongshi states: Mercury in medicine requires extreme caution due to toxicity. Women taking much lose fertility. Some doctors mistakenly use mercury calcined into cinnabar. Tang Dynasty Han Yu recorded Scholar Li Yu meeting alchemist Liu Mi, who claimed to make immortality pills from mercury. Using a lead cauldron filled with mercury, sealed and heated to make cinnabar, Li Yu ingested it, suffered bleeding, worsened over four years, and died. I do not know when this practice began; countless die, yet people admire it more. Ignoring written records, I cite six or seven officials I knew who died from such drugs as warnings. Minister of Works Gui Deng felt like a hot iron rod piercing him from head to toe, screaming in agony, eventually dying of hematemesis after his mat touched mercury. Censor-in-Chief Li Xuzhong died of a back carbuncle. Minister of Justice Li Xun said, "I was misled by medicine," and died. Vice Minister of Justice Li Jian died suddenly without illness. Minister of Works Meng Jian gave me a secret pill made with jujube paste; he fell ill a year later, recovered after purging, but died two years later. Military Commissioner Lu Tan died of hematuria and unbearable pain. General Li Daogu died at fifty in the sea after taking Liu Mi's pills. These are warnings. Seeking immortality accelerates death; is this wisdom? Grains and meats are daily food; people urge eating strongly. Now, deluded people claim grains shorten life and meats kill, advocating restriction. They forbid many foods at meals, trusting ghosts over reality, regretting only at death. Later adherents claim others died wrongly, asserting their own methods work. Initially claiming "medicine movement causes illness, illness removal means medicine works," they repent near death. Alas, how tragic!
Li Shizhen states: Mercury is the essence of extreme Yin, possessing a heavy nature. Refined by fire, it flies and changes; exposed to human breath, it enters bones and tendons, severing Yang and eroding the brain. No other Yin-toxic substance compares. Yet Ma Zhi calls it non-toxic, *Shennong Bencao Jing* claims long-term use brings divinity, Zhen Quan calls it the mother of elixirs, and *Baopuzi* deems it a longevity drug. Since the Six Dynasties, many sought immortality, resulting in disability and death. Alchemists are unworthy of mention, but how can Materia Medica speak falsely? Mercury should not be ingested, but its therapeutic merit cannot be hidden. Combined with Black Lead, it settles phlegm; combined with Sulfur, it saves critical cases. This is tactical warfare, depending on the user's mastery. See entries for Lead White Frost and Cinnabar Sand.
【Attached Prescriptions】Five old, twenty-four new.
Newborn refusing milk with obstruction in throat: Give rice-grain-sized Mercury; cures immediately (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).
Pediatric epilepsy suppressing heat: Mercury sized like a soybean, boiled in water for one meal time; administer. Do not let infant look up to avoid brain entry (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Acute convulsion with phlegm: Mercury 0.5 liang, Raw Arisaema 1 liang, Musk 0.5 fen, powdered, mixed with naphtha oil, pill like mung beans. One pill with mint decoction. Heart-loss wind disease: Mercury 1 liang, Lotus root nodes 8, powdered, pill like euryale seeds. Two pills with knife-shaving water (*Jingyan Fang*). Spirit possession: Mercury 1 liang, fermented grain water 1 sheng, reduced by fire to 2/3. Swallow bean-sized Mercury wrapped in talisman; repeat evening dose; cures in 1-2 days (*Guangji Fang*).
Reverse regurgitation, unable to keep water: Black Lead and Mercury 1.5 qian each (calcined), Imported Sulfur 5 qian, Cassia 1 qian, powdered. 6 qian with half rice soup, half ginger juice (*Shengji Zonglu*). Diabetes with irritability: Mercury 1 liang, Lead 1 liang (calcined), Gleditsia sinensis 1 stick (roasted in butter), Musk 1 qian, powdered. 0.5 qian with warm water (*Shengji Zonglu*). Gallbladder heat with epistaxis: Mercury, Cinnabar, Musk equal parts, powdered. 0.5 qian with fresh well water (*Xuanming Lunfang*). Hematohidrosis: Same formula.
Fetal restlessness, mother dying, fetus alive: Induce abortion. Mercury and Cinnabar 0.5 liang each, paste. Achyranthes bidentata 0.5 liang, water 5 large bowls, decoct, add honey, take half spoon (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).
Dystocia: Mercury 2 liang, boiled then taken; delivers immediately (*Meishi Fang*).
Dead fetus in womb, mother dying: Swallow 2 liang Mercury; delivers immediately (*Meishi Fang*).
Sterilization: Mercury fried in sesame oil for one day; take jujube-sized pill on empty stomach; permanent sterilization without harm (*Furen Liangfang*).
Resolve gold/silver toxicity: Mercury 1 liang; takes effect immediately (*Qianjin Fang*).
Accidental swallowing of gold/silver/jewelry: Swallow 0.5 liang Mercury; repeat to expel (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).
Insects in ear: Mercury bean-sized, pour in, tilt ear down, strike copper object; insect exits. Can eat brain; use only in emergencies (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Head lice: Mercury mixed with candle wax; rub on; lice die overnight (*Zhaixuan Fang*).
Axillary osmidrosis: Mercury and Lead Carbonate equal parts, mixed with animal fat; apply frequently (*Qianjin Fang*).
Adolescent acne: Mercury and Lead Carbonate equal parts, ground, mixed with lard; apply at night, wipe morning, avoid water; cures in three applications (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Oral ulcers in young/old: Mercury 1 fen, Coptis 6 fen, water 2 sheng, decoct to 0.5 sheng; hold in mouth, 10 times daily (*Puji Fang*).
Vitiligo with itching: Rub Mercury several times; resolves (*Qianjin Fang*).
Parasitic tinea with itching: Mercury and Lead Carbonate equal parts, ground and applied. Or Mercury and Chrysanthemum indicum mixed with butter (*Waitai Miyao*).
Anal pruritus from parasites: Mercury and Jujube paste 2 liang each, ground, wrapped in cotton, inserted; worms exit next day (*Meishi Fang*).
Malignant ulcer: 14-year-old girl, pea-sized mass on wrist, half-subcutaneous, red-purple, painful, unresponsive. Alchemist used 4 liang Mercury, rubbed with white paper, applied silver; resolved in 3 days (*Guai Zheng Fang*).
All malignant sores: Mercury, Coptis, Lead Carbonate (roasted yellow) 1 liang each, ground and applied; re-moisten with saliva if dry (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Syphilis: Mercury and Black Lead 1 qian each (calcined), Litharge 1 qian, Frankincense and Myrrh 0.5 fen each, powdered. Roll in paper, dip in oil, light lamp, smoke over sore 3 times daily; effective in 7 days. *Fuyu*: Mercury, Black Lead (calcined), Vermilion 2 qian each, Agkistrodon 1 qian, powdered, make 7 paper rolls. Day 1: 3 rolls; thereafter 1 roll/day. Light lamp in stove, smoke under quilt, avoid wind. Cover head if sores present. Alternative: Mercury 1.2 qian, Black Lead and Tin 0.8 qian each (calcined), Litharge 0.4 qian, Cinnabar 0.6 qian, powdered, make 12 paper rolls. Soak in oil lamp, light in bucket. Patient sits under quilt, inhales smoke gently; expulsion of foul matter after 3 days indicates efficacy.
Post-smallpox cornea opacity: Mercury 1 qian, Gu Dan 5 qian, ground into 6 pills, sealed in crucible, calcined for one day, wrapped in thin silk. Left pill in right ear, right pill in left ear; falls out naturally (*Wei Shi Fang*).