《石藥爾雅》

The Stone Drug Lexicon: Upper Scroll (with subsequent scrolls following the same format)

This Tang Dynasty alchemical compendium compiled by Mei Biao records the esoteric alternate names for various mineral substances used in waidan (external alchemy) practices.

[Mineral Synonym Cross-Reference]

Mysterious Yellow Blossom (also called Light Soarer, Lead Soarer, Flowing Flight, Great Elixir, Noble Flight, Purple Powder) — actually refers to lead oxide

Lead Yellow Blossom (also called Yellow Elixir, Army Gate, Golden Willow, Lead Blossom, Canopy of Glory, Dragon's Sap, Ninefold Light Elixir) — various forms of lead compounds

Tin Essence (also called Yellow Essence, Mysterious Yellow, Soaring Essence, Metal Lord's Blossom, Yellow Sprout, Subdued Elixir, Refined Elixir) — refined tin extract

Light Powder (also called Yellow Ascent, Purple Powder, Yellow Blossom, Yellow Dragon, Yellow Pool, River Chariot, Lunar Essence, Metal Quintessence) — mercury compounds

Lead Essence (also called Metal Lord, River Chariot, Aqueous Tin, Lunar Essence, Primordial Metal, Celestial Mystic Soaring Hero) — refined lead extract

Quicksilver (also called Mercury, Lead Essence, Divine Glue, Crimson Maiden, Mystic Water, Bright Child, Flowing Pearls) — liquid metallic mercury

Mercury Frost (also called Golden Liquor, Wu Region Sand-Mercury, White Tiger's Marrow) — sublimated mercury product

Cinnabar (also called Solar Essence, True Pearl, Immortal's Sand, Mercury Sand, Red Emperor) — natural mercuric sulfide

[Contextual Notes]

1. Ancient alchemists employed coded language for confidentiality, with single substances often having dozens of alternate names

2. Terms like "River Chariot," "Crimson Maiden," and "Metal Lord" represent standard Daoist alchemical terminology for lead, mercury, etc.

3. Most listed minerals are toxic — modern readers must never attempt to ingest them as ancient practitioners did

This scripture primarily records the various mineral medicines and their alternative names in Daoist alchemical practice. Here's a simplified explanation:

Realgar (an arsenic-containing mineral) has multiple aliases: Vermilion Bird's Sinew, White Mound, Yellow Slave, Male Essence, Stone Yellow, etc. It's also called Supreme Cycle Head-Stone or Celestial Yang Stone in alchemy, symbolizing masculine energy.

Orpiment (a similar arsenic mineral) goes by names including Imperial Maiden's Blood (when refined called Mystical Terrace Half-Moon) and Yellow Dragon's Blood (raw form called Yellow Peace, refined called Red Kitchen's Softness), representing feminine energy.

Other important minerals:

• Sulfur: Also named Yellow Hero, Troubling Sulfur, or Stone Pavilion Fat
• Sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride): Called Golden Thief, Red Sand, or White Sea Essence
• Azurite: Known as Simple Blue or Azure Dragon's Blood
• Malachite: Aliased as Green Waist Maiden or Green Spirit Feather
• Magnetite: The variety that attracts needles is called Mysterious Stone Gathering Needles, while non-magnetic forms are named Green Autumn
• Actinolite (an amphibole mineral): Symbolizing yang energy, called Five Essences Complete Yang
• Talc (possibly): Also termed Established Control Stone
• Pyrite (possibly): Named Tiger Shedding Darkness
• Stalactite: Known as Male Milk or Milk Blossom

These minerals hold special positions in Daoist alchemy, where different names reflect their distinct properties and functions within alchemical theory. Alchemists would select materials bearing specific names according to their cultivation purposes.

This passage presents a modern vernacular explanation of mineral ingredients and their alternative names recorded in ancient Daoist alchemical texts:

These are commonly used mineral materials in alchemy and their various names:

1. Gen (also called Yin Nie Gen, Kong Gong Nie, Ni Shi, Shi Hua)

2. Hu Fen (alternate names: Xi Fen, Qian Fen)

3. Dan Di Huang (also known as Liu Dan, Jie Xi; the coarse variety is called Que Fen, Liu Dan Bai Hao, Bai Gao)

4. Bai Yu (also called Yu Zha, Tong Yang Zhu, Xuan Zhen)

5. Chi Yu (alternate name: Tian Fu, Yan Fu)

6. Bai Qing (also called Yu Mu Qing)

7. Lü Qing (also known as Bi Qing, Bi Shi, Bian Qing - specifically Shi Lü)

8. Shi Dan (alternate names: Hei Shi, Qi Shi, Tong Le, Shi Ye, Li Zhi Shi, Tan Yao Chi)

9. Yunmu (mica) (comes in multiple color varieties: Xuan Shi, Yun Hua Wu Se, Yun Mo Chi, Yun Ying Qing, Yun Ye Bai, Yun Sha Qing, Lin Shi Bai, Ling Dan Hei; also called Yun Qi, Xie Zhuo, Xiong Hei, Yu Hua Fei Ying)

10. Xiao Shi (also called Bei Di Xuan Zhu, Kun Shi Liang, He Dong Ye, Hua Jin Shi, Shui Shi)

11. Pu Xiao (alternate names: Dong Ye, Dan Dan, Hai Mo)

12. Bai Fan Shi (also called Yu Ze, Huang Shi, Huang Lao)

13. Ji Shi Fan (also called Xuan Wu Gu, Chi Long Qiao, Xun Bu Jian Shi Chi)

14. Hua Shi (talc) (alternate names: Shi Ye, Gong Shi, Cui Shi, Fan Shi, Lei He Du Zi, Jin Shi, Liu Shi)

15. Zi Shi Ying (also called Zi Ling Wen Zhi)

16. Bai Shi Zhi (alternate name: Bai Su Fei Long)

17. Bai Shi Ying (also called Su Yu Nü, Bai Su Fei Long, Yin Hua, Shui Jing, Gong Zhong Yu Nü Wu Se)

18. Qing Shi Zhi (alternate name: Wu Se)

These minerals all had specific uses in Daoist alchemy (Waidan). For instance, mica (Yunmu) was often used in elixirs for immortality, while talc (Hua Shi) frequently served as an excipient. Each mineral might have different names across regions or different alchemical schools, hence the detailed recording of these alternative names in the texts.

This passage primarily documents the various ancient names for minerals and medicinal substances, effectively serving as a synonym dictionary for ancient mineral-based medicines. Let me explain each entry:

1. Red stone (赤石) alternate names: Black stone fat (黑石脂), Black stone (黑石)

2. Taiyi Yu Yu Liang (太一禹余粮, a mineral medicine) alternate names: Stone brain (石脑), Surplus grain (余粮), Celestial Master's food (天师食), Mountain's abundant fat (山中盈脂), Stone malt cake (石饴饼)

3. Chicken-dropping arsenic stone (鸡矢礜石, arsenic-containing mineral) alternate names: Blue bird (青鸟), Tooth alum (齿矾), Five-colored mountain fat (五色山脂)

4. Snow-grasping arsenic stone (握雪礜石) alternate names: Transforming lord stone (化公石), Life-preserving arsenic (持生礜石), Birth mother (生母)

5. Great Yin mysterious essence (太阴玄精, salt mineral) alternate names: Bitter essence (盬精), Mystically bright dragon fat (玄明龙膏, shares name with mercury)

6. Great Yang mysterious essence (太阳玄精) alternate name: Ownerless (无主)

7. Water-condensing stone (凝水石) alternate names: Water stone (水石), Cold water stone (寒水石), Ice water stone (凌水石), Ice stone (冰石)

8. Arsenic stone (礜石) alternate names: White tiger (白虎), White dragon (白龙), Controlling stone (制石), Autumn stone (秋石), Sun arsenic (日礜), Solid sheep (固羊), Great name (太名), Granary salt gypsum (仓盐石膏), Fine stone (细石)

9. Feldspar (长石) alternate names: Square stone (方石), Earth stone (土石), Straight stone (直石)

10. Blue langgan stone (青琅玕, blue-green mineral) alternate names: Stone flavor (石味), Blue pearl (青珠), White jade pearl (白碧珠)

11. Calcite (方解石) alternate name: Blue stone (青石)

12. Stone ink (石黛, blackish mineral) alternate names: Jade city flying splendor (碧城飞华), Green Emperor's flowing stone (青帝流石), Jade mound patterned lord (碧陵文候), Green Emperor's flowing pool (青帝流池), Emperor's flowing blue (帝流青)

13. Oyster (牡蛎) alternate names: Four seas dwelling apart (四海分居), Stone cloud kindness (石云慈)

14. Gold alternate names: Gengxin (庚辛, heavenly stems), Heavenly truth (天真), Yellow gold (黄金), Southeast yang sun (东南阳日), Male stone's upper fire (男石上火)

15. Silver alternate names: Mountain congealed (山凝), White silver (白银), Female stone's lower water (女石下水), Northwest falling moon (西北堕月)

16. Toushi (鍮石, brass ore) alternate name: Yellow stone (黄石)

17. Refined copper alternate names: Danyang (丹阳), Red copper (赤铜)

18. White lead alternate names: Cinnabar earth yellow (丹地黄), Metal lord (金公), Blue metal (青金)

19. White bismuth alternate name: Kunlun neighbor (昆仑毗)

20. Crystal alternate names: Yin movement (阴运), True pearl (真珠), Night's bright light (夜光明), Bee essence (蜂精), Bright combined scenes (明合景)

21. Amethyst alternate names: Western dragon fat (西龙膏), Floating surplus (浮余), Upper white Danrong salt (上白丹戎盐), Immortal's left water (仙人左水), Western tribes (西戎)

These names reflect ancient alchemists' and physicians' understanding of minerals, with many names bearing Daoist characteristics (such as "Green Emperor" and "White Tiger") and embodying Yin-Yang and Five Phases thinking (like "male stone's upper fire" and "female stone's lower water").

This passage primarily documents the various alternative names used in Daoist alchemy for minerals, plants, and special substances. These names predominantly carry Daoist connotations, reflecting the ancient practitioners' unique cognitive approach toward natural materials.

Mineral Substances:

• Rock salt (known by 12 aliases including "Western Barbarians' Pure Flavor," "Cold Salt," "Glacial Stone," "Luminous Salt," and "Purple Maiden")
• Hematite ("Blood Master")
• Bittern ("Blue Ox")
• Coarse salt (with 7 aliases including "Stone Brine" and "Seal Salt")
• Black salt (5 aliases including "Black Emperor's Flavor" and "Dark Warrior's Brain")
• Red salt ("Red Emperor's Flavor")
• White salt ("White Emperor's Flavor")
• Green salt ("Green Emperor's Flavor")

Botanical Substances:

• Aconite (3 aliases including "Crow Smoke" and "Fragrant Aconite")
• Turmeric ("Five Emperors' Foot," "Yellow Turmeric")
• Five Sprouts (referring to sprouts of grains, beans, millet, barley and other crops)
• Mulberry juice ("Imperial Maiden's Fluid," "Crane Head Blood")
• Onion juice ("Empty Pavilion Liquid")
• Raspberry (6 aliases including "Broken Basin" and "Dragon Fat")
• Mulberry tree dew ("Upper Clarity")
• Cogon grass ("White Feather Grass")
• Mulberry wood ("Silkworm's Life Sustenance")

Other Special Substances:

• Earthworm castings (5 aliases including "Dragon Passage Powder" and "Earth Dragon Powder")
• Perilla paste ("Thrice-Transformed Softness")

In Daoist alchemical practice, these substances were believed to possess extraordinary properties. Their nomenclature frequently incorporates Daoist cosmological concepts such as the Five Emperors (Green Emperor, Red Emperor, etc.) of the Five Phases (Wuxing) and the Four Symbols (including the Dark Warrior). This reflects the Daoist worldview of "animism in all things." Through this specialized naming system, alchemists imbued ordinary materials with mystical attributes—a characteristic practice in Waidan (external alchemy) traditions.

This scripture records the various esoteric names of ingredients used in Daoist alchemy, categorized into three main types:

I. Animal-based Ingredients

1. Earthworm juice has four alternate names: Mystic Dragon Earth-Strength Juice, Earth Dragon Paste, Earth Dragon, and Valley Cauldron White-Necked Earthworm Juice

2. Silkworm fungus (dead silkworms) is called Ant-Strength Child or White Gou

3. Canine materials: white dog gallbladder (Gourd Juice/Yin Dragon Gourd Juice), white dog feces (Dragon Paste), dog urine (Yin Dragon Juice), blood from white dog ears (White Dragon Firewood/Yin Dragon Gourd Paste), black dog fecal juice (Black Dragon/Yin Dragon Paste), black dog blood (Yin Dragon Juice)

II. Domestic Animal Materials

1. Bovine materials: milk (Simple Worm Brew/Firstborn Male Milk), ox gallbladder (Yin Beast at the Gate), yellow ox fecal juice (Yin Beast Essence Juice), water buffalo fat (Black Garment Grease/Black Emperor Raven Grease/Raven Emperor Flesh)

2. Sheep fat is called Flavor-Substance Grease

3. Porcine materials: head fat (Leather-Bearing Grease/Black Dragon Grease/Black Emperor's Grandchild Flesh/Mystic Birth Grease), regular lard (Yin Dragon Paste), sow hooves

4. Others: tiger eyes (Mountain Lord's Eyes/Queen Mother's Claws), monkey head (Enfeoffed Lord/Two-Thousand-Picul Brain)

III. Other Special Ingredients

1. Avian: stork blood (Yin Bird Juice), magpie brain (Flying Steed)

2. Piscine: carp eyes (Water Person's Eyes)

3. Insects: fireflies (Harem Roaming Maiden/Night Roaming Lovely Daughter), bees (Flying Troops/Flying Rice Dumplings/Rakshasa), honey (Hundred Flowers' Body/Multitude Mouths' Blossom)

4. Miscellaneous: horse dung (Horse Passage/Spiritual Fuel), hedgehog fat (Fierce Tiger Grease), reed fire (Void-Consuming Fuel), fish bladder glue (Unicorn Blood/Sky Glue)

These seemingly bizarre names actually constitute the "professional jargon" of ancient alchemists. By deifying common materials with titles like "Dragon Paste" or "Emperor's Flesh," they maintained the secrecy of their formulas while encoding Five Phase (Wuxing) attributes. Terms like "Yin Dragon" or "Black Emperor" often indicate water-element substances, while "Queen Mother" or "Unicorn" symbolize celestial treasures.

This passage is an excerpt from the ancient Daoist text Shiyao Erya (A Lexicon of Mineral and Herbal Medicines), which records various alternative names for medicinal substances and alchemical equipment. The text categorizes these items into three main groups:

I. Herbal and Animal-based Medicines:

1. Toad skin is alternatively called "Dragon Offspring's Single Garment" (Longzi Danyi)

2. Snake slough has names such as "Dragon Offspring's Garment" (Longzi Yi), "Shed Skin" (Tuopi), and simply "Serpent" (She)

3. Wall-growing grass is also known as "Earth Horse Mane" (Tu Mazong)

4. Oak tree ear fungus carries the names "Golden Wine Mushroom" (Jin Jiu Zhi) and "Golden Merchant Mushroom" (Jin Shang Zhi)

5. Pokeweed root is called "Fragrant Blossom" (Fenhua) or "Parent of the Six Jia" (Liujia Fumu)

6. Pine resin is referred to as "Mother of Cinnabar Radiance" (Danguang zhi Mu) and "Wood Lord's Fat" (Mugong Zhi)

II. Mineral-based Medicines:

1. Lime has seven different names including "Five Flavors" (Wuwei) and "White Ash" (Baihui)

2. Yellow earth is called "Yellow Ox Mother" (Huangniu Mu)

3. Red earth is known as "Ochre" (Zhe)

III. Alchemical Equipment:

1. The cauldron (Ding) has five names including "Celestial Vessel" (Tianqi) and "Ascending Tile" (Dengwa)

2. The iron pot is called "Golden Repository" (Jinkui) or "Ascending Sun" (Dengri)

3. The earthenware pot has six names such as "Divine Chamber" (Shenshi) and "Red Gate" (Chimen)

4. Vinegar boasts the most alternative names, with twelve including "Left Flavor" (Zuowei) and "Mysterious Pool" (Xuanchi)

These alternative names reflect the specialized terminology system used by ancient Daoist alchemists in their elixir preparation, where the same item might have different designations depending on context or school. Names like "Divine Water" (Shenshui) and "Azure Dragon Flavor" (Qinglong Wei) carry distinct Daoist connotations. The terminology demonstrates how Daoist practitioners developed a rich symbolic language around their alchemical practice, often employing cosmological and mythological references to describe ordinary materials.

This passage comes from Shiyao Erya (The Stone Materia Medica Lexicon), primarily documenting the alternative names and characteristics of various medicinal substances. Here's a modern interpretation:

The text lists numerous alternative names for medicinal ingredients, such as:

• Copper verdigris (also called "Yellow Dragon's Droplets")
• Acanthopanax bark (alternately named "Tusk Stone")
• Sanguisorba root (referred to as "Pig Elm Vine")
• Bees (known as "Bee Essence")
• Orpiment (called "Red Emperor's Flower Essence")
• Well water drawn at dawn (with five aliases: Five Waters, Dewfrost, Snowrain, etc.)
• Lead tetroxide (termed "Yellow Dragon's Liver")
• Candle soot (named "Luminous Bone")
• Mistletoe (also called "Earth Wood Essence")

The text continues with many other medicinal substances and their alternate names, including:

• Solomon's seal (with multiple names: Multi-storied Tower, Rabbit Bamboo, Leopard Pattern, Poverty Reliever)
• Poria fungus (known as "Celestial Essence")
• Asparagus root (called "Great Gate Root")
• Bee honey (alternately named "White Blossom")
• Alisma rhizome (referred to as "Ten Thousand Years")
• Virgin girl's menstrual blood (called "Maiden Moon")
• Boy's urine (termed "Water Essence Immortal's Water")
• Water foam (named "Tidal Sea Foam")

The passage concludes by noting that certain secret formulas for refining the Great Elixir (the highest-grade alchemical medicine in Daoist practice) were omitted from the text. This was because the Primordial Sovereign (a revered Daoist deity) forbids their casual transmission, and their teaching requires strict oath-bound commitments.

These records reflect ancient pharmacological knowledge, particularly within Daoist alchemical traditions, where medicinal substances often carried multiple names. Many of these names relate to their physical forms, therapeutic properties, or mystical attributes.

The second volume of Shiyao Erya (Literal Explication of Mineral Drugs) records the names and preparation methods of various elixirs used in alchemical practices.

Here are listed some renowned elixir names:

Great Unity Golden Elixir (Taiyi Jindan), Great Unity Jade Powder Elixir (Taiyi Yufen Dan), Great Unity Golden Ointment Elixir (Taiyi Jingao Dan), Great Unity Minor Return Elixir (Taiyi Xiaohuan Dan), Soul-Returning and Spirit-Anchoring Elixir (Huanhun Zhupo Dan), Spirit-Summoning Elixir (Zhaohun Dan), Great Unity Jade Liquid Elixir (Taiyi Yuye Dan), Huayang Jade Nectar Elixir (Huayang Yujiang Dan), Huayang Nectar (Huajiang), Great Unity Dragon Embryo Elixir (Taiyi Longtai Dan), Great Unity Three Histories Elixir (Taiyi Sanshi Dan), Brilliant Sunlight Elixir (Guangming Liri Dan), Hot Purple Powder Elixir (Re Zifen Dan), Yellow Elixir (Huangdan), Minor Divine Elixir (Xiao Shendan), Master Anqi’s Elixir (Anqi Xiansheng Dan), Great Unity Foot-Fire Elixir (Taiyi Zuohuo Dan), Perfected Person’s Steamed Elixir (Zhenren Zhengcheng Dan), Sulfur Liquid Elixir (Liuhuang Ye Dan), Pei Jun’s Ritual-Averting Elixir (Peijun Biji Dan), Fearless Elixir (Wuji Dan), Lord’s Egg Elixir (Zhujun Jizi Dan), Dongfang Shuo’s Silver Elixir (Dongfang Shuo Yindan), Stone-Soup Red Crow Elixir (Shitang Chiwu Dan), Cold Purple Powder Elixir (Leng Zifen Dan), Great Unity Minor Jade Powder Elixir (Taiyi Xiao Yufen Dan), Great Unity Minor Golden Flower Elixir (Taiyi Xiao Jinying Dan), Han Zhong’s Lacquer Elixir (Hanzhong Qidan), Realgar Purple Oil Elixir (Xionghuang Ziyou Dan), Liu Junfeng’s Life-Prolonging Elixir (Liujunfeng Zhunian Dan), Five Peaks Perfected Person’s Minor Return Elixir (Wuyue Zhenren Xiao Huan Dan), Purple Roaming Elixir (Ziyou Dan), Great Unity Red Chariot Envoy’s Eight-Spirit Essence Elixir for Reviving the Dead (Taiyi Chiche Shizhe Bashen Jing Qisiren Xiandan), Great Unity Single-Ingredient Sal Ammoniac Elixir (Taiyi Yiwei Naosha Dan), Great Unity Eight Scenes Four Stamens Purple Nectar Five Pearls Crimson Life Elixir (Taiyi Bajing Sirui Zijiang Wuzhu Jiangsheng Dan), Four-Spirit Elixir (Sishen Dan), Gen Snow Elixir (Genxue Dan), Eight Minerals Elixir (Bashi Dan), Eight-Spirit Elixir (Bashen Dan), Sulfur Elixir (Liuhuang Dan), Dragon Pearl Elixir (Longzhu Dan), Dragon-Tiger Elixir (Longhu Dan), Dragon-Sparrow Elixir (Longque Dan), Five-Numen Elixir (Wuling Dan), Purple Canopy Elixir (Zigai Dan), Three Marvels Elixir (Sanqi Dan), Dawn Mist Elixir (Zhaoxia Dan), Elbow-Back Elixir (Zhouhou Dan), Soaring Sky Elixir (Lingxiao Dan), Xianmen Elixir (Xianmen Dan), Daily Completion Elixir (Richen Dan), Grain Juice Elixir (Guzhi Dan), Seven Transformations Elixir (Qibian Dan), Supreme Yellow Elixir (Taihuang Dan), Bloodwort Elixir (Manxue Dan), Sun Elixir (Ridan), Wine Elixir (Jiudan), Jujube Elixir (Zaodan), Honey Elixir (Midan), Milk Elixir (Rudan), Pepper Elixir (Jiaodan), Great Unity Langgan Elixir (Taiyi Langgan Dan), Apricot Golden Elixir (Xing Jindan), Purple-Gold Minor Return Elixir (Zijin Xiao Huan Dan), Stone Brain Elixir (Shinao Dan), Red Stone Fat Elixir (Chishizhi Dan), Red Hibiscus Elixir (Hongjin Dan), Purple Mist Elixir (Zixia Dan), Stone Gall Elixir (Shidan Dan), Purple Canopy Elixir (Zigai Dan).

The text also explains alternative names for certain elixirs:

Spirit-Summoning Elixir (also called Soul-Returning Elixir, Rebirth Elixir, Bright Life Elixir, Golden Life Elixir)

Fearless Elixir (also called Bone-Strengthening Elixir, Dauntless Elixir, Spirit-Condensing Elixir)

Purple Roaming Elixir (also called Striding Void Elixir, Lightness-Lifting Elixir, Scenery-Reaching Elixir, Splendid Scenery Elixir, Soaring Void Elixir)

Four-Spirit Elixir (also called Great Unity Divine Elixir, Divine Transformation Elixir, Divine Liquid Elixir)

Gen Snow Elixir (also called Mercury Frost Elixir, Flowing Pearl White Snow Elixir, Flying Immortal Blossom Elixir, Flowing Pearl Plain Frost Elixir)

This passage primarily documents the various alternative names for elixirs in Daoist alchemy, essentially serving as an "appellation cross-reference table" for ancient alchemical substances. Most of these elixirs bear sacred names incorporating terms like "Taiyi" (the Supreme One, highest Daoist deity) or "Bajing" (Eight Scenes, Daoist celestial realms), indicating their elevated status in Daoist cultivation practices.

For example, the "Mysterious Pearl Crimson Snow Elixir" (Xuanzhu Jiangxue Dan) has five alternative names: Great Yang Red Powder Elixir (Taiyang Hongfen Dan), Morning Glow Scattered Radiance Elixir (Zhaoxia Sancai Dan), Evening Moon Flowing Light Elixir (Xiyue Liuguang Dan), and Inclined Phase Pearl Elixir (Qingxiangzhu Dan), among others. These names brim with celestial imagery—some describe the elixir's color (like "crimson snow" indicating deep red hues), while others metaphorically suggest its effects (such as "flowing light" hinting at miraculous efficacy).

Other significant elixirs include:

• The Five Peaks Perfected Being's Minor Reversion Elixir (Wuyue Zhenren Xiao Huan Dan), also called Golden Essence Elixir (Jinjing Dan) or Immortal Calyx Elixir (Xian'e Dan)—the character "huan" (reversion) implies rejuvenating properties.
• The Taiyi Minor Reversion Elixir series (including Great Clarity Elixir/Taiqing Dan and Condensed Mist Elixir/Ningxia Dan)—the "Taiyi" prefix denotes supreme-grade elixirs.
• Eight Minerals Elixir (Bashi Dan), alternatively named Brilliant Sun Elixir (Liri Dan) or Death-Transcending Elixir (Dusi Dan)—likely compounded from eight mineral substances.
• Resurrecting the Dead Elixir (Qisiren Dan), known as Spirit-Returning Elixir (Huanshen Dan) or Rebirth Elixir (Zaisheng Dan)—its name suggests revival capabilities.

These nomenclature patterns heavily employ celestial imagery (morning glow, evening moon), natural phenomena (crimson snow, flowing mists), and divine epithets (Taiyi, Huanglao), reflecting both Daoist nature worship and implied miraculous properties. Through this practice of "multiple names for single substances," alchemists simultaneously protected formula secrets while accentuating the elixirs' preciousness.

This scripture primarily documents various elixir names and related canonical texts in Daoist alchemical practice.

The elixir section lists multiple alternative names for different elixirs:

1. Incense-Holding Elixir (also known as Scepter-Bearing Elixir, Cloud-Racing Elixir, Crane-Steering Elixir, and Life-Destiny Elixir)

2. Five-Numinous Elixir (also called Ascending-Mist Elixir, Sky-Soaring Elixir, Numinous-Splendor Elixir, and Great-One-Emissary Elixir)

3. Five-Mineral Elixir (alternatively named Five-Stars Elixir, Five-Essence Elixir, Five-Colors Elixir, Five-Emperors Elixir, Five-Peaks Elixir, Five-Hues Elixir, and Eight-Immortals Elixir). The "five minerals" refer to: Malachite (East), Cinnabar (South), Arsenolite (West), Magnetite (North), and Realgar (Center), corresponding to the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Metal, Water, Earth) directions.

4. Great-One Elixir (also termed Flying-Wings Elixir, Salt-Powder Elixir, Plain-Cinnabar Elixir, Spirit-Settling Elixir, and Coalescence-Splendor Elixir)

The textual catalog enumerates numerous essential alchemical classics, including:

• Foundational texts like the Scripture of Great Purity (Taiqing Jing), Jade Bird Scripture, and Nine Heavens Lord Scripture
• Works by renowned alchemists such as Hugangzi, Baopuzi, and the True Person's Celestial Mystery Record
• Ancient scriptures transmitted by immortals like the Yellow Emperor's Compendium and Mysterious Woman's Records
• Alchemical mnemonic verses including the Seven-Return Cinnabar Song and Eight Immortals Song
• Key theoretical treatises such as the Kinship of the Three (Cantong Qi) and Great Purity Instructions
• Secret manuals like the Sui-Tang Secret Records and Master Bai Zigao's Mysterious Charts

These texts encompass the theoretical foundations, operational methods, and medicinal formulations of Daoist alchemy, serving as crucial documents for studying ancient alchemical practices. The mentioned "five minerals" represent the most commonly used mineral ingredients in alchemy, each corresponding to the Five Phases' cardinal directions.

This passage primarily documents various classical texts and preparation methods in Daoist alchemy. Essentially, it serves as an "encyclopedic catalog" for ancient alchemists.

The first half enumerates important alchemical texts, such as:

• The Great Clarity Discourse on Elixirs (Taiqing Danlun) and Treatise on Primordial Unity (Huncheng Lun), which discuss alchemical theory
• King Hu's Treatise on Processing Aconite (Hu Wang Yege Lun) and Discourse on Metals and Minerals (Jinshi Yu), concerning mineral-based medicinal materials
• Treatise on Taming Fire (Fuhuo Lun) and Five Illuminations Treatise (Wuming Lun), detailing fire control techniques
• Dragon-Tiger Scripture of Elixirs (Longhu Danjing) and Alchemists' Compendium of Afflictions (Danjia Bingyuan), addressing common alchemical challenges
• Several texts named after renowned alchemists, including works by the physician-Daoist masters Sun Simiao and Li Shaojun

The latter section meticulously records various alchemical formulas and production techniques, including:

1. Crafting talismans (fulu) with different functions (such as the Azure Dragon Talisman and Dark Warrior Talisman - ritual implements in Daoism)

2. Metal refinement methods (preparation of gold powder, silver powder, and copper powder)

3. Special medicinal preparations (like five-colored salt and thirty-six waters used as alchemical ingredients)

4. Medicinal wine processing (cinnabar wine and calcite wine among others)

5. Various "River Chariot" (heche) preparation techniques (a Daoist term referring to specially processed elixirs, including purple river chariot and red river chariot)

These contents reflect how ancient Daoists conducted complex chemical experiments using minerals, metals, and herbal materials to produce elixirs. Notably, the term "taming fire" (fuhuo) refers to fire control techniques, while "transformation methods" (fufa) denotes processes that alter material properties.

This passage primarily documents various elixir formulas and preparation methods from ancient Daoist alchemy (Waidan). The first half enumerates over thirty types of elixirs and their crafting techniques, including:

1. Methods for creating patina on bronze, the Five Salts technique, Male Snow method, and Female Snow method

2. Alchemical processes transmitted by the Daoist goddess Xuannü: White Snow Flying Talisman technique, Ninefold Cyclically Transformed Divine Elixir method

3. Metal refinement techniques: producing lead white, creating mysterious yellow (xuanhuang), refining orpiment

4. Special material preparations: subduing realgar method, subduing azurite method

The latter section explains that while these formulas circulated widely—some serving commercial purposes, others promoting longevity—the author cautions that their efficacy varies. Like choosing between land and water transport, or coarse versus fine grains that equally satisfy hunger yet differ in quality, profit-seekers value minor elixirs as gold, while longevity seekers treasure major elixirs as jewels.

Finally, it lists several legendary but lost elixirs known only by name:

• The Yellow Emperor's Nine Cauldrons Elixir
• Great Immortal's Ascending Mist Elixir
• Purple-Blue Immortal Youth Elixir
• Supreme Harmony Dragon Embryo Elixir
• Perfected Zhang's Numinous Flight Elixir

These were reputed to possess miraculous effects like daylight ascension or calamity dispelling, though their precise methods are lost. The text reflects the richness of ancient Daoist alchemy, presenting both practical formulas and vanished mystical elixirs.

This scripture enumerates various names of ancient elixirs, including the Nine Radiance Divine Scenery Elixir, the Flowing Rosy Jade-Green Elixir, the Great Clarity Five-Colored Elixir, and the Northern Emperor Mystic Pearl Elixir, among over a dozen others. These were all celestial elixirs refined by ancient immortals who attained the Dao. Legend holds that consuming them could enable one to ascend to heaven in broad daylight, grow feathered wings, and obtain supernatural abilities such as free transformation, invisibility, and manifestation at will.

The text particularly emphasizes that the formulas and refinement methods of these elixirs are not accessible to ordinary people. Unless one is born with celestial affinity (having "immortal bones" from past lives), has accumulated merit through multiple lifetimes of cultivation, or receives direct transmission from divine beings in dreams, it is fundamentally impossible to obtain the true secrets of their preparation.

(Note: The "Northern Emperor" mentioned refers to the Daoist exalted deity Ziwei Beiji Dadi [the Great Emperor of the North Pole of the Purple Subtlety Constellation]. "Great Clarity" [Taiqing] represents one of the Three Pure Realms [Sanqing jing] in Daoism, symbolizing the highest celestial realm. Descriptions like "feathered wings" and "free transformation" are all representations of supernatural powers attained after achieving immortality.)