【Naming】n
n 【Source】n
Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica, Upper Grade
n 【Frequency of Use】n
E
n 【Origin】n
Mainly stalactite-shaped stones containing calcium carbonate.
n 【Characteristics】n
(1) Stalactite: Cylindrical or conical, of varying sizes, 5~15㎝ in length and 2~7㎝ in diameter. The surface is white, grayish-white, or grayish-brown, rough and uneven. It is hard and heavy, with a relatively smooth fracture surface, pure white or brownish-yellow in color. A round hole is often visible in the center, with numerous concentric layers around the hole. Crystalline shimmering flakes, ranging in color from grayish-white to gray, can sometimes be seen. It has no odor and a slightly salty taste.
(2) Dripstone (Stalactite Helictite): Shaped like a pen tube or cylinder, resembling a goose feather quill, hollow, slightly curved, 3~5㎝ in length, 1~1.5㎝ in diameter, and the tube wall is approximately 1㎜ thick. The surface is milky white or grayish-yellow, mostly translucent, rough or slightly smooth. It is hard and brittle, easily broken, and the fracture surface has a glassy luster. The cavity is relatively large, and some can show ring-like layers. It has no odor and a slightly salty taste.
Calcined Stalactite: Similar in shape to the raw product but with more powder, appearing grayish-white and loose in texture.
n 【Processing】n
1. Crush into small pieces and use raw. 2. Calcined Stalactite
n 【Identification】n
《Illustrated Materia Medica》: “That without ‘goose teeth’ (internal radiating structure) and with a bright appearance is good.”n《Classified Materia Medica》: “Xiao Bing says: ‘That which is like a cicada’s wing is superior’,” “Rihua Zi says: ‘That which is entirely bright is superior’,” “That which is thin and lustrous, resembling a goose feather quill, is superior’,” “Generally, that which is lustrous is good’,” “Only that which is clear, bright, lustrous, light, and the color of refined saltpeter is good’,” “Only that which is light and thin like a goose feather quill in the middle, that crumbles like fingernails when broken, without ‘goose teeth’ in the middle, and with a bright appearance is good.”n《Expanded and Abridged Imperial Grace Formulary – General Treatise on Medicinal Properties》: “Contraindicated with sheep’s blood, that which is lustrous is good.”n《Universal Relief Prescriptions》: “Do not eat anything that is inedible.”n《Universal Relief Prescriptions》: “Take one pound of stalactite, choosing that which is white, clean, bright, and of good color for use, otherwise it is unusable. Grind finely with water for three days and three nights, then dry in the sun, and grind in a silver bowl for one day, then test with water to see if it sticks, which is good.”n《Collection of Medical Formulas》: “Stalactite should be one or two inches long at the tip and break easily when touched, Kong Gong’s offspring (likely a reference to a type of stalactite) is not as good as the stalactite head.”n《Essential Compendium of Materia Medica》: “Slightly reddish, crumbles like fingernails when broken, without ‘goose teeth’ in the middle, and with a bright appearance is good.”n《Compendium of Materia Medica》: “[Bing says] ‘That which is like a Kun wing (likely a reference to a type of stalactite) is superior’,” “All that is lustrous is good’,” “Smelters also consider the end of the goose tube, which is especially light and bright like mica fingernails, to be superior.”n《Essential Revisions of Materia Medica》: “Only that produced in lactiferous springs, shaped like a goose feather quill, is the best.”n《Compilation of Experience-Based Elixir Formulas》: “Stalactite Must be like snow, frozen sugar, five or six inches long, bright, hollow, and white in color to be genuine.”n《Seeking Truth in Materia Medica》: “That which crumbles like fingernails and is bright is genuine.”n《Differentiation of Good and Bad》: “That with a hole in the center is of the highest grade, and that with a yellow substance resembling the shaft of a bird’s feather, transparent and hollow, and light in texture, called goose feather tube stone, is also a superior product.”nStalactite is best when it is conical, shaped like a stone bamboo shoot, white or grayish-white in color, slightly crystalline, and has a bright fracture surface. Dripstone is best when it is transparent, white in color, like a goose feather quill, brittle, and hollow in the cylinder. Semi-transparent or opaque yellow ones are second-rate.
n 【Category】n
Mineral Category