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Walnut Kernel (Hetaoren) is generated by inheriting the Qi of Fire and Earth. Its taste is sweet, its nature is hot, and it is non-toxic. Due to its moistening property and heat, it serves as a medicine to benefit and tonify the Mingmen (Gate of Vitality, the root of Yuan Qi). It makes people fat and strong, moisturizes the skin, blackens beard and hair, secures essence and Qi, strengthens sexual function, and promotes Yang rising. For children or postpartum women suffering from asthma (wheezing), decocting walnuts with shell together with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) can cure the condition. This is because Ginseng stabilizes asthma, Walnut Kernel moistens the lungs, and the walnut shell has the effect of astringing Lung Qi. Eating more walnuts promotes urination because it enters the Kidney to secure essence, keeping the water passages open. Applied externally for scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis), its sweet and hot nature detoxifies and dissipates nodules; removing five types of hemorrhoids relies on its ability to moisten the intestines and drain dampness. If copper coins are accidentally swallowed, eating many walnuts helps expel them due to the antagonism of material properties. Long-term consumption may cause eyebrows to fall out, as extreme heat generates wind, and excessive wind leads to the shaking and falling of all things. The green skin (unripe pericarp) of the walnut is astringent and thus used for dyeing mustaches. Combined with Psoraleae Fructus (Buguzhi), Tribuli Fructus (Jili), Deer Antler Glue (Lurong), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Morinda Officinalis Root (Baji), Rubi Fructus (Fupenzi), Cornus Officinalis Fruit (Shanzhuyu), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), and Fish Maw (Yujiao), it is most effective for tonifying the Mingmen and promoting fertility.

For intractable metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding): Use fifteen Walnut Kernels, charred until carbonized but retaining medicinal properties (Cunxing). Grind into powder for one dose, taken orally with warm wine on an empty stomach; the effect is miraculous. For early-stage perianal abscess (Biudu), use seven walnuts, charred and ground, taken with wine; effective within three doses. For inguinal lymphadenitis (Yukou Biudu), collect green walnuts from trees at noon on the Dragon Boat Festival, dry them in shade in a basket, and burn them completely to powder when needed. Taken with wine, after one or two doses, pus will be excreted via stool if present, or the swelling will subside if not. Two to three doses lead to recovery. Adding Scorpion (Quanxie) and Pangolin Scales (Chuanshanjia) to these formulas enhances efficacy. For traumatic injuries, crush Walnut Kernels and take immediately with warm wine for quick recovery.

Walnut Kernel, when consumed frequently, benefits health and promotes hair growth, while also tonifying the Lower Origin (Kidney Qi). However, excessive intake generates wind and phlegm and aids Kidney fire. Charred and ground into fine powder, mixed with Pine Resin (Songzhi), it easily heals scrofula. After plucking white hairs, inserting Walnut Powder into the follicles turns them black. For injuries, take with pure wine heated; for urinary calculi (Shilin), boil with broken rice and consume; this unblocks meridians and nourishes blood vessels. For toothache caused by sour food, chewing Walnut Kernel thoroughly provides immediate relief. Walnut Kernel is sweet and hot in nature; it nourishes blood, moistens intestines, astringes Lung Qi to treat asthma, strengthens flaccidity, enhances sexual function, stops coldness in waist and legs, makes skin lustrous, benefits Upper Sanjiao Qi, and tonifies Mingmen Fire below. When assisted by Psoraleae Fructus, it creates a wonderful interaction of Water generating Wood.

Main Indications (Combined Analysis of Smallpox and Rash): Suitable for consumption during the initial stage; reduce intake during the pustule-filling stage; contraindicated for those with diarrhea and loose stools.

Commentary: Walnut is a substance that reaches the Mingmen. The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is the special envoy of Yuan Qi, and the Mingmen is the source of the Sanjiao; they share one origin and one destination. The Mingmen is named after its residence, being the organ that stores essence and connects to the uterus. The Sanjiao is named after its functional zones, being the department responsible for digestion and metabolism. One is named by form (Ti), the other by function (Yong). Located between the two kidneys, connecting upwards to the Heart and Lungs, it is the source of life and the master of Ministerial Fire. The *Ling Shu* has detailed this, but Bian Que did not understand the distinction between origin/destination and form/function, mistakenly identifying the right kidney as the Mingmen and considering the Sanjiao to have name but no form. This error has persisted to this day without correction. Walnut Kernel resembles the shape of the Mingmen; its outer skin and juice are black, corresponding to the North, thus entering and communicating with the Mingmen. Once the Mingmen is unblocked, the Sanjiao becomes smooth, and thus it also communicates with the Lungs. In the past, a young child suffered from phlegm-asthma and refused milk for five days. The mother dreamed of Guanyin Bodhisattva prescribing a formula: decoct Ginseng and Walnut Kernel and administer it, which cured the child. The next day, when the walnut was taken without the shell, the asthma returned. Taking it again with the shell proved effective. This is because Ginseng stabilizes asthma, Walnut Kernel moistens the lungs, and the shell has the function of astringing Lung Qi. Eating seven walnuts with the shell on an empty stomach greatly secures essence and strengthens Yang, but should be avoided by those with blazing Mingmen fire.