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Hulu (the fruit of *Lagenaria siceraria*), when large like a winter melon, is called "Hu"; when round and short like a watermelon, it is called "Pao"; when narrow in the waist and sharp at the head, it is called "Hulu" (gourd); when the stem is straight and the base round, it is called "Piaozi". These can be used as vegetables. Only the sweet variety is suitable for medicinal use. The bitter and sweet varieties have different uses: the bitter type promotes water downward and induces vomiting, eliminating edema of the face, eyes, and limbs; the sweet type promotes urination, relieves strangury, clears irritability and heat from the Heart and Lungs, and treats Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst syndrome). Dripping its juice into the nasal cavity induces the discharge of yellow fluid, which is particularly effective in retreating Ji Huang (Acute Jaundice).

Water celery inherits Yin Qi from the earth and receives Yang Qi from the southern heat externally; therefore, its flowers and fruits are all purple. Although its nature is sweet and cold, with red skin and white interior, representing Yang enveloping Yin, it possesses a cold, purgative, slippery, and moistening property. Although ancient texts state that it mainly treats chills and fever and removes Wu Lao (Five Exhaustions), these are not its primary therapeutic actions. Hence, there are warnings against long-term consumption, which may cause small scabies, bowel irregularities, and trigger chronic diseases. Persons with deficiency or cold constitutions should absolutely avoid eating it. It is only suitable to rely on its Earth-associated, sweet-and-cold nature to treat frostbite and eliminate abscesses and swelling. For treating cracked nipples, burn naturally split old yellow eggplants (*Solanum melongena*) to ash and apply topically. Boiling fresh eggplant stems and fresh Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (He Shou Wu) in equal parts and drinking the decoction is miraculous for treating Duikou Chuang (carbuncle at the back of the neck). Eggplants come in purple, yellow, and white varieties; the yellow eggplant mainly treats chills and fever and removes five types of exhaustion. Excessive consumption may induce chronic diseases, cause small scabies, and lead to bowel irregularities. Ash from naturally split eggplants applied to the nipple treats breast abscesses and cracking. Rubbing bitter eggplants with vinegar also treats abscesses and swelling. Decoctions of eggplant roots and withered stems/leaves can be used for soaking frozen foot sores in winter, expelling wind-dampness, and when boiled in pure wine and taken frequently morning and evening, they restore normal flexion and extension of painful and stiff knees and feet. Zhu Danxi said: Since eggplants belong to Earth, they are effective in treating gan-ji (infantile malnutrition) and sores/toxins.

The taste is sweet, and the nature is cold. Raw consumption is toxic. In ancient times, a soldier ate it and felt a vague discomfort leading to illness; later, he vomited a small snake, which was hung in front of the house and gradually dried out, resembling a fern. This serves as a warning.

Jue Cai (Bracken Fern) has a sweet taste and cold nature, capable of removing sudden heat. Sweetness promotes urination; Qi stagnation in meridians is completely expelled, and toxins spreading to sinews and bones heal easily. However, it damages Yang Qi, impairs sexual function, causes hair loss, and leads to flaccidity of knees and feet and blurred vision.

Shui Ying (an ancient name for Water Celery) tastes pungent and slightly bitter, with a warm and neutral nature, and is non-toxic. Pungency enters the Lung Meridian to benefit Qi; fragrance enters the Stomach Meridian to aid digestion; bitterness retreats jaundice, clears heat, and promotes urination and defecation. Its leaves often harbor invisible insects; accidental ingestion may cause harm. Harvested material must be thoroughly washed before being made into pickles for wine accompaniment or sauce.

Water Celery (*Oenanthe javanica*) benefits Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) and nourishes Jing (Essence), making one robust, healthy, and having a good appetite. It stops irritability and thirst, detoxifies various mineral medicines, protects blood vessels, retreats five types of acute jaundice, promotes the smooth flow of the Large and Small Intestines, benefits oral health, stops bloody dysentery and leukorrhea, and arrests metrorrhagia (profuse uterine bleeding). It dispels sudden high fever in children and resolves post-alcohol heat in adults. Do not consume with vinegar, as it may damage teeth. Eating it in the eighth lunar month may cause "Wenlong Gu" (a parasitic or toxic condition), because during this time, dragons carry essence into the celery.