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(Nanzhu Branches and Leaves) Born by inheriting the ascending qi of spring, *Ben Jing* states: its taste is bitter, its nature is neutral (Ping), and it is non-toxic. However, tasting it reveals a slightly astringent flavor; "neutral" here implies coolness. It enters the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. *Shi Ji* (Ten Categories) notes: "Astringency can treat incontinence/loss." Without its astringent flavor, it cannot stop bleeding; without its inherent coolness, it cannot turn hair white. Hair is the surplus of blood, and complexion is the brilliance of blood. Blood heat causes premature whitening of sideburns and withered complexion; Spleen deficiency leads to fatigue, drowsiness, and lack of strength; Kidney deficiency results in weak bones and tendons and slow walking. Entering the Heart, it cools blood; entering the Spleen, it benefits Qi; entering the Kidney, it nourishes Essence. The claims that it lightens the body, prolongs life, and reduces hunger are not empty words. Most herbs that turn hair white possess these properties. Bitter-cold herbs may hinder stomach function, whereas Nanzhu has a mild and harmonious flavor and also benefits the Spleen, making it essential for cultivators of longevity. Its fruit, sweet and sour, has effects even superior to the branches and leaves; it is a fine medicine for truly turning white hair black, preserving youth, lightening the body, and reversing aging. That shepherd children eat it to relieve hunger and thirst serves as another verification. Combined with Ecliptae Herba (Hanliancao), Myrobalan (Meishizi), Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang), Morus Fructus (Sangshen), Lycii Fructus (Gouqi), Corni Fructus (Shanzhuyu), Polygoni Multiflori Radix (Shouwu), and Tribuli Fructus (Bajili), it becomes a supreme medicine for darkening beard and hair.

Nanzhu Branches and Leaves, also known as the King of Plants or Wufan Tree Leaves, treats all wind diseases in adults; they are often collected and decocted in water. For children who accidentally swallow copper coins, used alone and calcined into powder, it strengthens bones and tendons, promotes mobility, lightens the body, and turns white hair black. *Shangyuan Shijing* says: "Consuming the King of Plants aligns one's qi with spiritual connection; ingesting the essence of Qingzhu ensures life does not perish. This is what is meant."

(Shujiao/Sichuan Pepper) Inheriting the qi of Fire and Metal, obtaining the Yang of the South, and receiving the Yin of the West, its taste is acrid, warm, and greatly hot, and it is toxic. Both its flavor and aroma are strong, belonging to Yang. It enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, and additionally the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian; thus, its therapeutic actions primarily target the Spleen and Lung meridians. Externally, it resolves pathogenic factors in muscles and skin; internally, it clears stagnation in the intestines and stomach. Through its acrid-warm nature, both external and internal obstructions are resolved. For masses and breast disorders, because it enters the Right Kidney Mingmen (Gate of Life) to tonify Original Yang and Ministerial Fire, the accumulations naturally dissipate. Treating Gui Zhu (wandering pestilence) and Gu poison, and detoxifying insect, fish, and snake venoms, is due to its possession of upright Yang Qi, which can break through all hidden yin poisons. When external pathogens scatter, joints become harmonized; when internal diseases are eliminated, blood vessels become unobstructed. Preparation requires removing pits and closed peppers, lightly stir-frying until moisture appears, placing them while hot into bamboo tubes, pounding away the yellow inner shell to use the red part.

Shujiao kills Gui Zhu, Gu poison, and insect/fish/snake venoms; treats cold-damp bi pain; warms the middle and directs rebellious Qi downward; treats retained fluid in the heart and abdomen, old food retention, mass formation, postpartum residual ailments; enhances resistance to cold and heat; opens interstices (Couli); removes dead flesh from joints and skin; treats persistent Shanghan and Wen Nue (warm malaria). Superiorly, it clears corneal opacity from the eyes; inferiorly, it drives out deep cold from the Six Fu organs. It unites blood vessels, opens the "Ghost Gates" (sweat pores), regulates joints, strengthens teeth and hair, warms waist and knees, particularly reduces urination, dispels wind pathogens, stops cough and rebellion of Qi, treats belching, nourishes harmonious Qi, reduces edema and jaundice, stops bloody dysentery. It must not be consumed in excess, as it causes Qi depletion, blindness, and mouth closure leading to death. Shujiao can promote flow through the urinary pathway but not the digestive tract; it moves water to treat edema, settles phlegm and wheezing, and is a rapid formula for seizing drugs and consolidating sweat. Leaves mashed with Mugwort, Scallion, and Vinegar applied externally or internally treat testicular hernia pain and Qi Fuliang (mass under diaphragm). There is also Qin Jiao (Qianjiao), which treats generalized aversion to wind, disperses flaccidity and bi in limbs, treats gum swelling and loosening, throat obstruction with vomiting, adjusts postpartum abdominal pain residuals, and amenorrhea.

Commentary: Chuan Jiao inherits the qi of Fire and Metal; its nature descends to the Mingmen, benefiting the lower jiao without rushing upward, effectively guiding fire back to its source. It is an agent for eliminating dampness, digesting food, warming the Spleen, and tonifying the Kidney. Inheriting Southern Yang, it enters the Kidney to support Yang and benefit Fire; receiving Western Yin, it enters the Lung to stop cough and direct Qi downward. It is the essence of the Yu Heng Star, good at warding off epidemic pathogens and latent evils, hence the custom of drinking Jiao Bai Wine at year's end. It is strictly contraindicated for those with Yin deficiency and hyperactive fire.