解黄蝇毒∶乌蒙山峡多小黄蝇，生毒蛇鳞中，啮人初无所觉，渐痒为疮。勿搔，但以冷
水沃之，擦盐少许，即不为疮。（《方舆胜览》）
毒蛇伤螫∶嚼盐涂之，灸三壮，仍嚼盐涂之。（徐伯玉方）
虱出怪病，临卧浑身虱出，约至五升，随至血肉俱坏，每宿渐多，痛痒不可言状，惟吃
水，卧床昼夜号哭，舌尖出血不止，身齿俱黑，唇动鼻开。但饮盐醋汤十数日，即安。（夏
子益《奇疾方》）
解野狼毒毒∶盐汁饮之。（《千金方》）
药箭毒瓦斯∶盐贴疮上，灸三十壮，良。（《集验方》）
救溺水死∶以大凳卧之，后足放高，用盐擦脐中，待水自流出，切勿倒提出水。（《救
急方》）
溃痈作痒∶以盐摩其四围，即止。（《外科精义》）
（《本经》下品）
【释名】胡盐（《别录》）、羌盐（《日华》）、青盐（《纲目》）、秃登盐（《唐本》）、阴
土盐。
大明曰∶西番所食者，故号戎盐、羌盐。
恭曰∶戎盐，即胡盐也。沙州名秃登盐，廓州名为阴土盐，生河岸山 之阴土石间，故
名。
【集解】《别录》曰∶戎盐生胡盐山，及西羌北地、酒泉福禄城东南角。北海青，南海
赤。十月采。
当之曰∶戎盐味苦臭，是海潮水浇山石，经久盐凝着石，取之北海者青，南海者赤。弘
景曰∶史书言虏中盐有九种∶白盐、食盐，常食者；黑盐，主腹胀气满；胡盐，主耳聋目痛
；柔盐，主马脊疮；又有赤盐、驳盐、臭盐、马齿盐四种，并不入食。马齿即大盐，黑盐疑
是卤碱，柔盐疑是戎盐，而此戎盐又名胡盐，二三相乱。今戎盐虏中甚有，从凉州来，亦从
敦煌来。其形作块片，或如鸡鸭卵，或如菱米，色紫白，味不甚咸，口尝气臭，正如 鸡子
臭者乃真。又河南盐池泥中，自有凝盐如石片，打破皆方，青黑色，善疗马脊疮，又疑此是
戎盐。又巴东朐 县北崖有盐井，盐水自凝，生伞子盐，方一二寸，中央突张如伞形，亦有
方如石膏、博棋者。
恭曰∶戎盐即胡盐，生河崖山 之阴土石间，大小不常，坚白似石，烧之不鸣 也。
宗 曰∶戎盐成垛，裁之如枕，细白，味甘、咸。
颂曰∶陶氏所说九种，今人不能遍识。医家治眼及补下药多用青盐，恐即戎盐也。本草
云∶北海青，南海赤。今青盐从西羌来者，形块方棱，明莹而青黑色，最奇。北海来者，作
大块而不光莹，又多孔窍，若蜂窠状，色亦浅于西盐，彼人谓之盐枕，入药差劣。北胡又有
一种盐，作片屑，如碎白石，彼人亦谓之青盐，缄封于匣，与盐枕并作礼贽，不知是何色
类？
时珍曰∶本草戎盐云∶北海青，南海赤。而诸注乃用白盐，似与本文不合。按∶《凉州
异物志》云∶姜赖之墟，今称龙城。刚卤千里，蒺藜之形。其下有盐，累棋而生。出于胡国，
故名戎盐。赞云∶盐山二岳，二色为质。赤者如丹，黑者如漆。小大从意，镂之为物。作兽
辟恶，佩之为吉。或称戎盐，可以疗疾。此说与本草本文相合，亦惟赤、黑二色，不言白者。
盖白者乃光明盐，而青盐、赤盐则戎盐也。故《西凉记》云∶青盐池出盐，正方半寸，其形
如石，甚甜美。《真腊记》云∶山间有石，味胜于盐，可琢为器。《梁杰公传》言∶交河之间，
掘碛下数尺，有紫盐，如红如紫，色鲜而甘。其下丈许，有 珀。《北户录》亦言∶张掖池
中出桃花盐，色如桃花，随月盈缩。今宁夏近凉州地，盐井所出青盐，四方皎洁如石。山丹
卫，即张掖地，有池产红盐，红色。此二盐，即戎盐之青、赤二色者。医方但用青盐，而不
用红盐，不知二盐皆名戎盐也。所谓南海、北海者，指西海之南北而言，非炎方之南海也。
张果《玉洞要诀》云∶赤戎盐出西戎，禀自然水土之气，结而成质。其地水土之气黄赤，故
盐亦随土气而生。味淡于石盐，力能伏阳精。但于火中烧汁红赤，凝定色转益者，即真也。
亦名绛盐。《抱朴子》书有作赤盐法。又岭南一种红盐，乃染成者，皆非真红盐也。又《丹
房镜源》云∶蛮盐可伏雌雄，作金用红盐为上。
【气味】咸，寒，无毒。
宗 曰∶甘、咸。大明曰∶平。
独孤滔曰∶戎盐，赤、黑二色，能累卵，干汞，制丹砂。
【主治】明目目痛，益气，坚肌骨，去毒蛊（《本经》）。
心腹痛，溺血吐血，齿舌血出（《别录》）。助水脏，益精气，除五脏症结，心腹积聚，
痛疮疥癣（大明）。解芫青、斑蝥毒（时珍）。
【发明】宗 曰∶戎盐甘咸，功在却血、入肾，治目中瘀赤涩昏。
时珍曰∶戎盐功同食盐，不经煎炼，而味咸带甘，入药似胜。《周礼注》云∶饴盐味甜
，即戎盐，不知果否？或云以饴拌盐也。
【附方】新五。
小便不通∶戎盐汤∶用戎盐（弹丸大）一枚，茯苓半斤，白术二两。水煎，服之。（仲
景《金匮方》）
风热牙痛∶青盐一斤，槐枝半斤。水四碗，煎汁二碗，煮盐至干，炒研。日用揩牙、洗
目。（唐氏《经验方》）
牢牙明目∶青盐二两，白盐四两，川椒四两。煎汁拌盐炒干。日用揩牙洗目，永无齿疾、
目疾。（《通变要法》）
风眼烂弦∶戎盐化水，点之。（《普济方》）
痔疮漏疮∶白矾四两，青盐四两。为末，猪尿脬一个盛之，阴干。每服五钱，空心温水
下。（赵氏《经验方》）
【背景信息】
书名：本草纲目 作者：李时珍 朝代：明·万历六年 章节：食盐(2/2) / 戎盐 类别：本草
【待处理原文】
解黄蝇毒∶乌蒙山峡多小黄蝇，生毒蛇鳞中，啮人初无所觉，渐痒为疮。勿搔，但以冷水沃之，擦盐少许，即不为疮。（《方舆胜览》）
毒蛇伤螫∶嚼盐涂之，灸三壮，仍嚼盐涂之。（徐伯玉方）
虱出怪病，临卧浑身虱出，约至五升，随至血肉俱坏，每宿渐多，痛痒不可言状，惟吃
水，卧床昼夜号哭，舌尖出血不止，身齿俱黑，唇动鼻开。但饮盐醋汤十数日，即安。（夏
子益《奇疾方》）
解野狼毒毒∶盐汁饮之。（《千金方》）
药箭毒瓦斯∶盐贴疮上，灸三十壮，良。（《集验方》）
救溺水死∶以大凳卧之，后足放高，用盐擦脐中，待水自流出，切勿倒提出水。（《救
急方》）
溃痈作痒∶以盐摩其四围，即止。（《外科精义》）
（《本经》下品）
【释名】胡盐（《别录》）、羌盐（《日华》）、青盐（《纲目》）、秃登盐（《唐本》）、阴
土盐。
大明曰∶西番所食者，故号戎盐、羌盐。
恭曰∶戎盐，即胡盐也。沙州名秃登盐，廓州名为阴土盐，生河岸山 之阴土石间，故
名。
【集解】《别录》曰∶戎盐生胡盐山，及西羌北地、酒泉福禄城东南角。北海青，南海
赤。十月采。
当之曰∶戎盐味苦臭，是海潮水浇山石，经久盐凝着石，取之北海者青，南海者赤。弘
景曰∶史书言虏中盐有九种∶白盐、食盐，常食者；黑盐，主腹胀气满；胡盐，主耳聋目痛
；柔盐，主马脊疮；又有赤盐、驳盐、臭盐、马齿盐四种，并不入食。马齿即大盐，黑盐疑
是卤碱，柔盐疑是戎盐，而此戎盐又名胡盐，二三相乱。今戎盐虏中甚有，从凉州来，亦从
敦煌来。其形作块片，或如鸡鸭卵，或如菱米，色紫白，味不甚咸，口尝气臭，正如 鸡子
臭者乃真。又河南盐池泥中，自有凝盐如石片，打破皆方，青黑色，善疗马脊疮，又疑此是
戎盐。又巴东朐 县北崖有盐井，盐水自凝，生伞子盐，方一二寸，中央突张如伞形，亦有
方如石膏、博棋者。
恭曰∶戎盐即胡盐，生河崖山 之阴土石间，大小不常，坚白似石，烧之不鸣 也。
宗 曰∶戎盐成垛，裁之如枕，细白，味甘、咸。
颂曰∶陶氏所说九种，今人不能遍识。医家治眼及补下药多用青盐，恐即戎盐也。本草
云∶北海青，南海赤。今青盐从西羌来者，形块方棱，明莹而青黑色，最奇。北海来者，作
大块而不光莹，又多孔窍，若蜂窠状，色亦浅于西盐，彼人谓之盐枕，入药差劣。北胡又有
一种盐，作片屑，如碎白石，彼人亦谓之青盐，缄封于匣，与盐枕并作礼贽，不知是何色
类？
时珍曰∶本草戎盐云∶北海青，南海赤。而诸注乃用白盐，似与本文不合。按∶《凉州
异物志》云∶姜赖之墟，今称龙城。刚卤千里，蒺藜之形。其下有盐，累棋而生。出于胡国，
故名戎盐。赞云∶盐山二岳，二色为质。赤者如丹，黑者如漆。小大从意，镂之为物。作兽
辟恶，佩之为吉。或称戎盐，可以疗疾。此说与本草本文相合，亦惟赤、黑二色，不言白者。
盖白者乃光明盐，而青盐、赤盐则戎盐也。故《西凉记》云∶青盐池出盐，正方半寸，其形
如石，甚甜美。《真腊记》云∶山间有石，味胜于盐，可琢为器。《梁杰公传》言∶交河之间，
掘碛下数尺，有紫盐，如红如紫，色鲜而甘。其下丈许，有 珀。《北户录》亦言∶张掖池
中出桃花盐，色如桃花，随月盈缩。今宁夏近凉州地，盐井所出青盐，四方皎洁如石。山丹
卫，即张掖地，有池产红盐，红色。此二盐，即戎盐之青、赤二色者。医方但用青盐，而不
用红盐，不知二盐皆名戎盐也。所谓南海、北海者，指西海之南北而言，非炎方之南海也。
张果《玉洞要诀》云∶赤戎盐出西戎，禀自然水土之气，结而成质。其地水土之气黄赤，故
盐亦随土气而生。味淡于石盐，力能伏阳精。但于火中烧汁红赤，凝定色转益者，即真也。
亦名绛盐。《抱朴子》书有作赤盐法。又岭南一种红盐，乃染成者，皆非真红盐也。又《丹
房镜源》云∶蛮盐可伏雌雄，作金用红盐为上。
【气味】咸，寒，无毒。
宗 曰∶甘、咸。大明曰∶平。
独孤滔曰∶戎盐，赤、黑二色，能累卵，干汞，制丹砂。
【主治】明目目痛，益气，坚肌骨，去毒蛊（《本经》）。
心腹痛，溺血吐血，齿舌血出（《别录》）。助水脏，益精气，除五脏症结，心腹积聚，
痛疮疥癣（大明）。解芫青、斑蝥毒（时珍）。
【发明】宗 曰∶戎盐甘咸，功在却血、入肾，治目中瘀赤涩昏。
时珍曰∶戎盐功同食盐，不经煎炼，而味咸带甘，入药似胜。《周礼注》云∶饴盐味甜
，即戎盐，不知果否？或云以饴拌盐也。
【附方】新五。
小便不通∶戎盐汤∶用戎盐（弹丸大）一枚，茯苓半斤，白术二两。水煎，服之。（仲
景《金匮方》）
风热牙痛∶青盐一斤，槐枝半斤。水四碗，煎汁二碗，煮盐至干，炒研。日用揩牙、洗
目。（唐氏《经验方》）
牢牙明目∶青盐二两，白盐四两，川椒四两。煎汁拌盐炒干。日用揩牙洗目，永无齿疾、
目疾。（《通变要法》）
风眼烂弦∶戎盐化水，点之。（《普济方》）
痔疮漏疮∶白矾四两，青盐四两。为末，猪尿脬一个盛之，阴干。每服五钱，空心温水
下。（赵氏《经验方》）
【白话翻译】
解除黄蝇毒素：乌蒙山峡谷中有很多小黄蝇，它们生活在毒蛇的鳞片缝隙里，叮咬人时起初毫无感觉，随后逐渐发痒并形成疮疡。不要抓挠，只用冷水冲洗，并涂抹少量盐，就不会形成疮疡。（出自《方舆胜览》）
毒蛇咬伤：咀嚼盐巴涂抹患处，施灸三壮，然后再咀嚼盐巴涂抹。（出自徐伯玉方）
虱出怪病：睡觉时全身爬出虱子，数量多达五升左右，随之导致血肉腐烂，每晚逐渐增多，疼痛瘙痒难以形容，只能喝水，躺在床上昼夜号哭，舌尖出血不止，身体和牙齿都变黑，嘴唇颤动鼻孔张开。只要饮用盐醋汤十几天，就能痊愈。（出自夏子益《奇疾方》）
解除野狼毒毒性：饮用盐汁。（出自《千金方》）
药箭毒气：将盐贴在伤口上，施灸三十壮，效果良好。（出自《集验方》）
抢救溺水死亡者：让患者仰卧在大凳子上，抬高双脚，用盐擦拭肚脐，等待体内积水自然流出，千万不要倒提出来。（出自《救急方》）
溃烂痈疽发痒：用盐在四周摩擦，瘙痒即可停止。（出自《外科精义》）
（收录于《神农本草经》下品）
【名称解释】胡盐（出自《名医别录》）、羌盐（出自《日华子本草》）、青盐（出自《本草纲目》）、秃登盐（出自《唐本草》）、阴土盐。
苏颂（字子容，号大明，此处指苏颂或引用其父苏洵之说，通常“大明”指苏颂或其家族观点，但在本草语境中常指苏颂《嘉祐本草》或相关注释，此处依原文“大明曰”保留）说：这是西番地区食用的盐，所以称为戎盐、羌盐。
甄权（字知命，唐代医学家，此处“恭”可能指孟诜《食疗本草》或苏恭《唐本草》，原文“恭曰”通常指苏恭）说：戎盐就是胡盐。沙州称之为秃登盐，廓州称之为阴土盐，它生长在河岸山的背阴处土石之间，因此得名。
【集解】《名医别录》说：戎盐产于胡盐山，以及西羌北地、酒泉福禄城的东南角。北海产的呈青色，南海产的呈红色。十月采集。
寇宗奭（字居实，宋代医药学家，此处“当之”应为寇宗奭，原文可能有误或特指某版本，通常寇宗奭字居实，号当之一说存疑，但根据上下文“当之曰”应指寇宗奭《本草衍义》）说：戎盐味道苦涩且有臭味，是海水潮汐冲刷山石，经过长时间盐分凝结附着在石头上形成的。取自北海的呈青色，取自南海的呈红色。陶弘景说：史书记载胡地有九种盐：白盐、食盐，是日常食用的；黑盐，主治腹胀气满；胡盐，主治耳聋目痛；柔盐，主治马脊疮；还有赤盐、驳盐、臭盐、马齿盐四种，都不用于食用。马齿盐就是大盐，黑盐怀疑是卤碱，柔盐怀疑是戎盐，而这种戎盐又被称为胡盐，两者容易混淆。现在戎盐在胡地很常见，有的从凉州运来，有的从敦煌运来。它的形状像块片，或者像鸡鸭蛋，或者像菱角米，颜色紫白相间，味道不是很咸，嘴里尝起来有臭味，就像鸡蛋臭味的才是真品。另外，河南盐池的泥土中，自然凝结出像石片一样的盐，敲开后都是方形的，呈青黑色，善于治疗马脊疮，我也怀疑这就是戎盐。还有巴东县北面的悬崖上有盐井，盐水自然凝结，生成伞子盐，大小一二寸见方，中间突起像伞形，也有像石膏、围棋棋子那样方形的。
苏恭说：戎盐就是胡盐，生长在河岸山的背阴处土石之间，大小不一，坚硬洁白像石头，燃烧时不会发出声响。
陈承（字希甫，宋代医药学家，此处“宗”可能指寇宗奭或陈承，原文“宗曰”通常指寇宗奭，但前文已有“恭曰”，此处“宗”可能指寇宗奭《衍义》中的另一段，或者指陈承《重修政和经史证类备用本草》中的引文，暂译为陈承或寇宗奭，鉴于“宗”字，推测为寇宗奭或陈承，此处依原文直译）说：戎盐堆成垛，切割后像枕头一样，质地细白，味道甘甜、咸。
苏颂说：陶弘景所说的九种盐，现在的人不能全部识别。医生治疗眼病及作为补药的下行药多用青盐，恐怕就是戎盐。本草中说：北海产的呈青色，南海产的呈红色。现在的青盐从西羌来的，形状是方棱的块状，明亮晶莹且呈青黑色，最为奇特。从北海来的，是大块且不光滑，多孔窍，像蜂巢一样，颜色也比西羌盐浅，当地人称之为盐枕，入药质量较差。北胡还有一种盐，呈片屑状，像破碎的白石，当地人也称为青盐，密封在盒子里，与盐枕一起作为礼物赠送，不知道是什么颜色的种类？
李时珍说：本草中关于戎盐说：北海产的呈青色，南海产的呈红色。而各种注释却使用白盐，似乎与原文不符。查考《凉州异物志》说：姜赖的废墟，现在称为龙城。方圆千里的盐碱地，长着蒺藜。下面有盐，像棋子一样堆积生长。出产于胡国，所以叫戎盐。赞语说：盐山两座山峰，两种颜色构成本质。红色的像丹砂，黑色的像漆。大小随意，雕刻成各种物品。做成兽形可以辟邪，佩戴它是吉利的。有人称戎盐可以治疗疾病。这种说法与本经原文相符，也只提到红、黑两种颜色，没有提到白色。大概白色的是光明盐，而青盐、赤盐则是戎盐。所以《西凉记》说：青盐池出产的盐，正方形半寸见方，形状像石头，非常甜美。《真腊记》说：山间有石头，味道比盐好，可以雕琢成器物。《梁杰公传》说：在交河之间，挖掘沙砾下几尺深，有紫盐，像红又像紫，颜色鲜艳而甘甜。再往下有一丈多深，有琥珀。《北户录》也说：张掖池中出产桃花盐，颜色像桃花，随着月亮盈亏而变化。现在宁夏靠近凉州的地方，盐井出产的青盐，四方洁白像石头。山丹卫，就是张掖地，有池塘出产红盐，呈红色。这两种盐，就是戎盐的青、赤两种颜色。医方只用青盐，而不用红盐，不知道这两种盐都叫戎盐。所谓的南海、北海，是指西海的南北方向而言，不是指南方炎热地区的南海。
张果《玉洞要诀》说：赤戎盐出产于西戎，秉承自然水土之气，凝结而成质地。当地水土之气黄赤，所以盐也随着土气而生。味道比石盐淡，力量能抑制阳精。只要在火中烧到汁液红赤，凝固后颜色更加鲜艳的，就是真品。也叫绛盐。《抱朴子》书中有关于制作赤盐的方法。另外岭南有一种红盐，是染色而成的，都不是真正的红盐。还有《丹房镜源》说：蛮盐可以伏雌雄，炼丹用红盐最好。
【气味】咸，寒，无毒。
陈承说：甘、咸。苏颂（大明）说：平。
独孤滔说：戎盐有赤、黑两种颜色，能使蛋堆积，使汞干燥，制约丹砂。
【主治】明目止痛，益气，坚固肌肉骨骼，去除毒蛊（出自《神农本草经》）。
心腹疼痛，尿血吐血，牙齿舌头出血（出自《名医别录》）。帮助水脏（肾），益精气，消除五脏症结，心腹积聚，痛疮疥癣（出自苏颂）。解除芫青、斑蝥毒性（出自李时珍）。
【发明】陈承说：戎盐味甘咸，功效在于止血、入肾，治疗眼中瘀血赤涩昏暗。
李时珍说：戎盐的功效与食盐相同，不需要煎炼，而味道咸中带甘，入药似乎更好。《周礼注》说：饴盐味道甜，就是戎盐，不知道是否真的如此？有人说用饴糖拌盐。
【附方】新增五种。
小便不通：戎盐汤：用戎盐（如弹丸大小）一枚，茯苓半斤，白术二两。加水煎煮，服用。（出自张仲景《金匮要略方论》）
风热牙痛：青盐一斤，槐枝半斤。水四碗，煎取汁二碗，煮盐至干，炒研。每天用来刷牙、洗眼。（出自唐氏《经验方》）
坚固牙齿明目：青盐二两，白盐四两，川椒四两。煎汁拌盐炒干。每天用来刷牙洗眼，永远没有齿病、眼病。（出自《通变要法》）
风眼烂弦：戎盐化水，滴入眼中。（出自《普济方》）
痔疮漏疮：白矾四两，青盐四两。研为末，用一个猪膀胱盛装，阴干。每次服用五钱，空腹用温水送下。（出自赵氏《经验方》）
[Background Information]
Book: Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica)
Author: Li Shizhen
Dynasty: Ming Dynasty, 6th Year of Wanli
Chapter: Rock Salt (2/2) / Rongyan (Rong Salt)
Category: Materia Medica
[Original Text Translation]
To relieve the toxicity of yellow flies: There are many small yellow flies in the Wumeng Mountain Gorge, living among the scales of venomous snakes. When they bite people, there is initially no sensation, but gradually itching occurs leading to sores. Do not scratch; simply wash with cold water and rub a little salt on it, and sores will not form. (From *Fangyu Shenglan*)
For snake bites: Chew salt and apply it to the wound, moxibustion for three cones (zhuang), then chew salt and apply again. (From Xu Boyu's Formula)
Strange disease of lice emerging: Upon lying down, lice emerge all over the body, amounting to about five sheng (a unit of volume). This leads to the decay of flesh and blood. The number increases each night, causing indescribable pain and itching. The patient can only drink water, lies in bed crying day and night, with continuous bleeding from the tip of the tongue, blackening of the body and teeth, trembling lips, and open nostrils. Drinking salt and vinegar soup for more than ten days brings relief. (From Xia Ziyi's *Qiji Fang* [Formulas for Strange Diseases])
To relieve the toxicity of wild wolf poison: Drink salt juice. (From *Qianjin Fang* [Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold])
Poison arrow gas/toxicity: Apply salt to the sore, perform moxibustion for thirty cones (zhuang); this is effective. (From *Jiyan Fang* [Collected Proven Formulas])
Rescuing drowning victims: Lay the victim supine on a large stool, elevate the feet high, rub salt into the umbilicus, wait for water to flow out naturally. Do not lift the victim upside down to extract water. (From *Jiuji Fang* [Emergency Rescue Formulas])
Itching from ulcerating carbuncles: Rub salt around the periphery of the lesion; the itching stops immediately. (From *Waike Jingyi* [Essentials of Surgery])
(Listed in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Names]
Hu Yan (Barbarian Salt) (*Mingyi Bielu*); Qiang Yan (Qiang Salt) (*Rihua Bencao*); Qing Yan (Green Salt) (*Bencao Gangmu*); Tudeng Yan (*Tang Bencao*); Yin Tu Yan (Yin Earth Salt).
Da Ming said: Since it is eaten by the Xifan (Western Tribes), it is called Rong Yan (Rong Salt) or Qiang Yan.
Gong said: Rong Yan is Hu Yan. In Shazhou it is called Tudeng Yan, and in Guozhou it is called Yin Tu Yan. It grows in the rocky soil on the shady side of riverbanks and mountains, hence the name.
[Collection and Explanation]
*Mingyi Bielu* says: Rong Yan grows at Huyan Mountain, as well as in Beidi of the Western Qiang, and the southeast corner of Fulu City in Jiuquan. That from the North Sea is green; that from the South Sea is red. Harvested in the tenth month.
Dangzhi said: Rong Yan has a bitter, foul taste. It is formed when seawater tides wash mountain rocks, and after a long time, salt condenses and adheres to the stones. Those taken from the North Sea are green; those from the South Sea are red.
Hongjing said: Historical books state that there are nine types of salt among the barbarians: Bai Yan (White Salt) and Shi Yan (Common Salt) are for daily consumption; Hei Yan (Black Salt) treats abdominal distension and fullness; Hu Yan treats deafness and eye pain; Rou Yan (Soft Salt) treats horse back sores; there are also Chi Yan (Red Salt), Bo Yan (Mottled Salt), Chou Yan (Foul Salt), and Machi Yan (Horse Tooth Salt) four types, none of which are used for food. Machi Yan is Da Yan (Large Salt); Hei Yan is suspected to be Lu Jian (Halite/Lye); Rou Yan is suspected to be Rong Yan. However, this Rong Yan is also called Hu Yan, causing confusion between the two. Currently, Rong Yan is very common among the barbarians, coming from Liangzhou and Dunhuang. Its shape is like flakes, or like chicken/duck eggs, or like tartary buckwheat grains. The color is purple-white, the taste is not very salty, and it smells foul when tasted, just like rotten eggs; this is the true variety. Also, in the mud of the Yanchi (Salt Pool) in Henan, there is naturally condensed salt like stone flakes, which breaks into squares, is blue-black, and is good for treating horse back sores; I suspect this is Rong Yan. Furthermore, in the northern cliffs of Quxian in Badong, there are salt wells where brine condenses naturally, producing Sanzi Yan (Umbrella Salt), one or two inches square, protruding in the center like an umbrella, or square like gypsum or Go pieces.
Gong said: Rong Yan is Hu Yan, growing in the rocky soil on the shady side of riverbank mountains. Its size varies, it is hard and white like stone, and does not crackle when burned.
Zong said: Rong Yan forms mounds, cut like pillows, fine and white, with a sweet and salty taste.
Song said: The nine types mentioned by Tao [Hongjing] cannot be fully recognized by people today. Physicians often use Qing Yan (Green Salt) for treating eyes and in descending tonic prescriptions, suspecting it to be Rong Yan. The materia medica states: "North Sea is green, South Sea is red." Currently, Qing Yan from the Western Qiang comes in square-edged blocks, bright and translucent, blue-black, which is most unique. That from the North Sea comes in large blocks, not glossy, with many pores like beecombs, and its color is lighter than the western salt. Locals call it Yan Zhen (Salt Pillow), which is inferior for medicinal use. Northern Barbarians also have another type of salt, flaky like broken white stone, also called Qing Yan by them, sealed in boxes, given as gifts along with Salt Pillows. What color category is this?
Shizhen said: The materia medica states regarding Rong Yan: "North Sea is green, South Sea is red." Yet various commentaries use Bai Yan (White Salt), which seems inconsistent with the original text. Checking *Liangzhou Yiwuzhi*, it says: "The ruins of Jianglai, now called Longcheng. A thousand li of saline land, shaped like tribulus. Below it grows salt, accumulating like chess pieces. It originates from the Barbarian State, hence named Rong Yan." The eulogy says: "Two peaks of Salt Mountain, two colors as substance. Red like cinnabar, black like lacquer. Size follows intent, carved into objects. Made into beasts to ward off evil, wearing them is auspicious. Some call Rong Yan, which can treat diseases." This description matches the original text, mentioning only red and black colors, not white. Probably Bai Yan is Guangming Yan (Bright Light Salt), while Qing Yan and Chi Yan are Rong Yan. Thus, *Xiliang Ji* says: "Salt from Qingyan Pool is square, half an inch, stone-like, very sweet and delicious." *Zhenla Ji* says: "There are stones in the mountains, tastier than salt, can be carved into vessels." *Liang Jiegong Zhuan* says: "Between Jiaohe, digging several feet below the gravel, there is Zi Yan (Purple Salt), red-purple, fresh-colored and sweet. About a zhang deeper, there is amber." *Buhu Lu* also says: "Taohua Yan (Peach Blossom Salt) emerges from Zhangye Pool, colored like peach blossoms, waxing and waning with the moon." Currently, in Ningxia near Liangzhou, Qing Yan from salt wells is square, bright, and stone-like. Shandan Wei, which is Zhangye land, has pools producing Hong Yan (Red Salt), which is red. These two salts are the green and red varieties of Rong Yan. Medical formulas only use Qing Yan and do not use Hong Yan, not knowing both are named Rong Yan. The so-called South Sea and North Sea refer to the north and south of the West Sea, not the southern tropical South Sea.
Zhangguo's *Yudong Yaojue* says: Chi Rong Yan comes from the Western Barbarians, inheriting the natural qi of water and soil, condensing into substance. The local water and soil qi is yellow-red, so the salt grows following the earth qi. It is less salty than rock salt, and its power can subdue Yang Essence. If heated in fire until the juice is red-hot, and upon solidification the color becomes more vibrant, it is genuine. It is also called Jiang Yan (Crimson Salt). The book *Baopuzi* has methods for making Chi Yan. Additionally, a type of Hong Yan in Lingnan is dyed, neither being true Hong Yan. Also, *Danfang Jingyuan* says: Man Yan can subdue yin and yang; for making gold, Hong Yan is superior.
[Flavor and Nature]
Salty, Cold, Non-toxic.
Zong said: Sweet, Salty.
Da Ming said: Neutral.
Dugu Tao said: Rong Yan has red and black colors, can stack eggs, dry mercury, and control cinnabar.
[Indications]
Brightens eyes and relieves eye pain, benefits Qi, strengthens muscles and bones, removes toxic gu parasites (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Heart and abdominal pain, hematuria, hematemesis, bleeding from teeth and tongue (*Mingyi Bielu*). Assists the Water Organ (Kidney), benefits Essence and Qi, eliminates organ masses and accumulations in the heart and abdomen, painful sores, scabies, and tinea (*Da Ming*). Resolves toxicity of Mylabris (Yuanqing) and Lytta vesicatoria (Banmao) (*Shizhen*).
[Elucidation]
Zong said: Rong Yan is sweet and salty, its function is to stop bleeding and enter the Kidney channel, treating stasis, redness, astringency, and dimness in the eyes.
Shizhen said: Rong Yan has effects similar to Shi Yan (Common Salt), but without needing refining, and its taste is salty with a hint of sweetness, seemingly superior for medicinal use. *Zhouli Zhu* says: Yi Yan (Malt Salt) tastes sweet, which is Rong Yan; I wonder if this is true? Or some say it is salt mixed with malt syrup.
[Attached Formulas] Five new ones.
Impeded Urination: Rongyan Tang (Rong Salt Decoction): Use one piece of Rong Yan (size of a bullet), Ban Liang of Poria (Fu Ling), and two liang of Atractylodes Macrocephala (Baizhu). Decoct in water and take. (From Zhang Zhongjing's *Jingui Yaolue*)
Wind-Heat Toothache: One jin of Qing Yan (Green Salt), half a jin of Sophora Branch (Huai Zhi). Four bowls of water, decoct to obtain two bowls of juice, boil the salt until dry, stir-fry and grind. Use daily to brush teeth and wash eyes. (From Tang Shi's *Jingyan Fang*)
Strengthen Teeth and Brighten Eyes: Two liang of Qing Yan (Green Salt), four liang of Bai Yan (White Salt), four liang of Sichuan Pepper (Chuanjiao). Decoct juice, mix with salt, stir-fry until dry. Use daily to brush teeth and wash eyes, permanently preventing dental and ocular diseases. (From *Tongbian Yaofa*)
Wind Eye with Ulcerated Margins: Dissolve Rong Yan in water, instill into the eyes. (From *Puji Fang*)
Hemorrhoids and Fistula Sores: Four liang of Alum (Baifan), four liang of Qing Yan (Green Salt). Grind into powder, place in one pig bladder, dry in shade. Take five qian each time, with warm water on an empty stomach. (From Zhao Shi's *Jingyan Fang*)