味苦、辛，寒、大寒，无毒。主治百病，除寒热邪气，逐六腑积聚，结固留癖，胃中食
饮热结，破留血，闭绝，停痰痞满，推陈致新。能化七十二种石。炼饵服之，轻身，神仙。
炼之白如银，能寒能热，能滑能涩，能辛，能苦，能咸能酸，入地千岁不变，色青白者佳，
黄者伤人，赤者杀人。一名硝石朴。生益州山谷有咸水之阳，采无时。畏麦句姜。
今出益州北部汶山郡、西川、蚕陵二县界，生山崖上，色多青白，亦杂黑斑。世人择取
白软者，以当硝石用之，当烧令汁沸出，状如矾石也。《仙经》惟云硝石能化他石。今此亦
云能化石，疑必相似，可试之。（《新修》一六页，《大观》卷三，《政和》八七页）
味苦、辛，寒、大寒，无毒。主治五脏积热，胃胀闭，涤去蓄结饮食，推陈致新，除邪
气，治五脏十二经脉中百二十疾，暴伤寒，腹中大热，止烦满消渴，利小便及 蚀疮。炼之
如膏。久服轻身。天地至神之物，能化成十二种石。一名芒硝，生益州山谷及武都、陇西、
西羌，采无时。（萤火为之使，恶苦参、苦菜，畏女菀。）
治病亦与朴硝相似，《仙经》多用此消化诸石，今无正识别此者。顷来寻访，犹云与朴
硝同山，所以朴硝名硝石朴也，如此则非一种物。先时有人得一种物，其色理与朴硝大同小
异， 如握盐雪不冰，强烧之，紫青烟起，仍成灰。不停沸如朴硝，云是真硝石也。此又
云一名芒硝，今芒硝乃是练朴硝作之。与后皇甫说同，并未得核研其验，须试效，当更证记
尔。化硝石法，在三十六水方中。陇西属秦州，在长安西羌中。今宕昌以北诸山有咸土处皆
有之。（《新修》一八页，《大观》卷三，《政和》八五页）
【朴硝】
味苦、辛，性寒或大寒，无毒。主治各种疾病，消除寒热邪气，驱逐六腑（胃、胆、小肠、大肠、膀胱、三焦）中的积聚之物，破除坚固的结块和长期停留的癖积，清除胃中因饮食引起的热结，攻破停滞的瘀血，治疗闭塞不通之症，消除停聚的痰饮及痞满症状，推陈出新。能够溶解七十二种矿石。经过炼制后服用，可以使人身体轻盈，甚至成仙。炼制后的颜色像银一样白，性质既能寒又能热，既能滑利又能涩滞，味道兼具辛、苦、咸、酸。埋在地下千年不改变性质，颜色青白色的为佳，黄色的会伤害人体，红色的会致人死亡。又名硝石朴。产于益州山谷中有咸水流出且向阳的地方，采集没有固定时间。畏惧麦句姜。
现在出产于益州北部的汶山郡、西川、蚕陵二县境内，生长在山崖上，颜色多为青白，也夹杂黑色斑点。世人挑选白色柔软的来当作硝石使用，应当烧至汁液沸腾流出，形状像矾石一样。《仙经》只说硝石能溶解其他石头。现在这里也说能溶解石头，怀疑两者必定相似，可以试验验证。（出自《新修本草》第16页，《大观本草》卷三，《政和本草》第87页）
【硝石】
味苦、辛，性寒或大寒，无毒。主治五脏的积热，胃胀闭塞，涤荡去除体内蓄积的饮食糟粕，推陈出新，排除邪气，治疗五脏及十二经脉中的一百二十种疾病，突发伤寒，腹部的大热，止住烦闷胀满和消渴症，通利小便以及腐蚀疮疡。炼制后如膏状。长期服用可以使人身体轻盈。这是天地间极其神妙的物品，能够化成十二种石头。又名芒硝，产于益州山谷以及武都、陇西、西羌地区，采集没有固定时间。（萤火是它的使药，厌恶苦参、苦菜，畏惧女菀。）
治病功效也与朴硝相似，《仙经》多用此物来消化各种石头，现在没有专门的方法来辨别这种物质。近来寻访调查，仍然有人说它与朴硝同出一山，所以朴硝被称为“硝石朴”，像这样看来它们不是同一种物质。先前有人得到一种物质，其颜色和纹理与朴硝大体相同而略有差异，拿在手里像握着盐雪但不冰凉，强行焚烧时，升起紫青色的烟，最后变成灰烬。不像朴硝那样沸腾剧烈，据说这才是真正的硝石。这里又说它又名芒硝，现在的芒硝其实是将朴硝炼制而成的。这与后来皇甫谧的说法相同，都没有经过严格的研究验证，必须通过试验效果，才能进一步考证记录。溶解硝石的方法，记载在三十六水方中。陇西属于秦州，位于长安以西的西羌地区。现在宕昌以北各山有咸土的地方都有出产。（出自《新修本草》第18页，《大观本草》卷三，《政和本草》第85页）
[Puo Xiao (Natrii Sulfas)]
Taste: bitter, pungent. Nature: cold or very cold. Toxicity: non-toxic. Indications: treats various diseases, eliminates pathogenic factors of cold and heat, expels accumulations in the six fu organs (Stomach, Gallbladder, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Bladder, Sanjiao), breaks up solid masses and long-standing fixed deposits, clears heat consolidations in the stomach caused by food and drink, breaks stagnant blood, treats obstructions and blockages, removes retained phlegm and fullness, pushes out the old to bring forth the new. Can dissolve seventy-two types of minerals. When refined and taken, it lightens the body and leads to immortality. After refining, it is white as silver; its nature can be both cold and hot, its action both slippery and astringent, its taste both pungent, bitter, salty, and sour. It remains unchanged after being buried in the earth for a thousand years. Those that are greenish-white are superior; those that are yellow harm the body, and those that are red kill. Also known as Xiaoshi Pu (Nitrum Pu). Grows in the valleys of Yizhou where saline water flows on sunny slopes. Harvested at any time. Incompatible with Maijujiang.
Currently produced in Wenshan Commandery in northern Yizhou, Xichuan, and the borders of Canling County. It grows on mountain cliffs, mostly greenish-white, often mixed with black spots. People select the white and soft varieties to use as Xiaoshi (Sal Niter). It should be heated until the liquid boils out, resembling Fan Shi (Alum Stone). The *Xian Jing* (Scripture of Immortals) states only that Xiaoshi can dissolve other stones. This text also says it can dissolve stones; it is suspected that they must be similar, and this can be tested. (From *Xinxiu Bencao* page 16, *Daguan Bencao* Vol. 3, *Zhenghe Bencao* page 87)
[Xiaoshi (Sal Niter)]
Taste: bitter, pungent. Nature: cold or very cold. Toxicity: non-toxic. Indications: treats accumulated heat in the five zang organs, gastric distension and obstruction, cleanses and removes accumulated food stagnation, pushes out the old to bring forth the new, eliminates pathogenic factors, treats one hundred and twenty diseases in the five zang organs and twelve regular meridians, sudden attack of cold damage, severe internal abdominal heat, stops irritability, fullness, and xiaoke (wasting-thirst syndrome), promotes urination, and erodes ulcers. Refined into a paste. Long-term use lightens the body. It is a divine substance of heaven and earth, capable of transforming twelve types of minerals. Also known as Mangxiao (Mirabilite). Grows in the valleys of Yizhou, as well as Wudu, Longxi, and among the Western Qiang. Harvested at any time. (Yinghuo [Firefly] acts as its guide drug; incompatible with Kushen [Sophorae Radix] and Kucail [Amaranthi Caulis]; fears Nuwan [Anemones Radix].)
Its therapeutic effects are similar to Pu Xiao. The *Xian Jing* uses this substance extensively to digest various minerals. Currently, there is no standard method to distinguish this specific substance. Recent inquiries suggest it comes from the same mountains as Pu Xiao, hence Pu Xiao is called "Xiaoshi Pu," implying they are not the same substance. Previously, someone obtained a substance whose color and texture were largely similar but slightly different from Pu Xiao. It felt like holding salt snow but was not cold. When forcibly burned, it raised purple-green smoke and turned to ash. Unlike Pu Xiao, it did not boil vigorously; it was said to be true Xiaoshi. This text also states it is named Mangxiao, whereas current Mangxiao is made by refining Pu Xiao. This aligns with the later statement by Huangfu Mi, but neither has been rigorously verified. Efficacy must be tested to further confirm and record. The method for dissolving Xiaoshi is found in the Thirty-Six Waters formulas. Longxi belongs to Qinzhou, located west of Chang'an among the Western Qiang. It is currently found in areas with saline soil in the mountains north of Dangchang. (From *Xinxiu Bencao* page 18, *Daguan Bencao* Vol. 3, *Zhenghe Bencao* page 85)