Rectification of Errors

When BinhuThe courtesy name of Li Shizhen (1518–1593), the revered author of the original Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu). This supplement seeks to update and correct his monumental work. composed the Compendium, he followed a rule: under each entry, if the substance appeared in the ClassicThe Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica), the foundational text of Chinese herbalism dating back roughly 2,000 years., he cited the Classic first, followed by other texts. However, in the Section on Earth, he listed the entry for Stone Salt as a "supplementary" item. He was apparently unaware that Brine Alkali already had its own dedicated entry in the Divine Farmer’s Classic and failed to include it there. According to the Original Source of the Classic, "Brine Alkali is, in fact, Stone Salt."

Zhang ShiwanAlso known as Zhang Lu (1617–1699), a famous physician of the early Qing dynasty known for his rigorous clinical observations.</term noted that the descriptions of Glauber’s Salt original: Pu xiao (樸硝). Historically identified as mirabilite or sodium sulfate. and Saltpeter original: Xiao shi (硝石). Potassium nitrate, used both in medicine and for making gunpowder. in the Classic have been confused by later generations. Conditions such as "accumulated heat in the five viscera" are caused by the stubborn accumulation of heat-pathogens; this is not something Saltpeter is capable of scouring away. Conversely, as for the ability to "dissolve seventy-two types of stones," how could Glauber's Salt possibly achieve such a feat?

These two entries have long been treated interchangeably or simplified, and Binhu, failing to investigate thoroughly, repeated these errors. Furthermore, in his "Elucidations" for Saltpeter, he cited the Alchemical Materia Medica of the Earth Star original: Tuxiu Bencao (土宿本草). An ancient text focused on the alchemical and medicinal properties of minerals. stating that Saltpeter can dissolve seventy-two types of stones. Why then did he claim that the Miscellaneous Records original: Mingyi Bie Lu (名醫別錄). An important 3rd-century expansion on the original Classic. was in error for placing this specific text under the entry for Glauber’s Salt?