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This is a touching legend. There was an elderly blacksmith who took in a homeless orphan. The orphan became the blacksmith’s apprentice and took care of the old man like a grandchild, doing household chores and assisting with daily tasks. The old blacksmith was deeply moved by the child’s kindness and wanted to pass down his exceptional craftsmanship to him. However, the child was physically too weak to handle the heavy work of blacksmithing.
In his moments of despair, the old blacksmith remembered a folk remedy for extracting the “essence of iron.” He began by pouring vinegar onto a hot iron block and allowing it to cool. Afterward, he scraped off the rust powder from the surface. He mixed this powder with the cooked dates, creating a medicinal pill for the child to take regularly.To everyone’s surprise, after a period of dedication, the child’s complexion gradually became healthier, and his body grew robust.Eventually, he inherited the blacksmith’s craft and became an outstanding young blacksmith.
NOTE
Rust powder is formed from the reaction ofiron and acetic acid. It is believed to have theeffects of nourishing the blood, calming thespirit, soothing the liver, settling agitation, andremoving toxins while reducing swelling.
Stalactites and stalagmites were classified as superior medicinal substances in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing . Their main component is calcium carbonate. Stalactites and stalagmites have a sweet taste and warm nature, and they are believed to have the effects of warming the lung, tonifying yang , opening orifices, and facilitating lactation.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there was significant debate about the medicinal use of stalactites. The renowned TCM expert Li Shizhen remarked, “Even with a diet of diverse grains and meats, excessive indulgence can have detrimental effects, let alone the excessive use of mineral medicines.” In his work Ben Cao Gang Mu , Li Shizhen provided a balanced discussion on stalactites and stalagmites, acknowledging their efficacy while also cautioning against overuse. He emphasized that when used appropriately, stalactites and stalagmites can effectively treat illnesses, but their excessive and prolonged use should be avoided. This illustrates that ancient medical experts continually deepened their understanding of medicinal minerals.