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The price is one thousand cash. Counterfeiters often substitute it with milk from cattle, sheep, etc. Seeking the genuine article in markets, true ones are rarely found.

My cousin, Zhou Xingfang (courtesy name Shihuang, Mingjing degree holder), who taught students in Dongshan, Dongting Lake, said that the Zheng Zhiyi family in the mountains had exceptionally flourishing orchids. There was a legendary prescription for treating difficult labor that was extremely effective: collect the leaves of the *Suxin* orchid (White Heart Orchid), dry them in the shade, and store them. When needed, steep one or two leaves in water and drink. He also mentioned that there is a plant called *Huang Tianzhu Zi* (Yellow Indian Cherry) in the mountains; steeping it in water and drinking it is extremely effective for treating Liver Qi stagnation. I investigated and noted: I have only seen red *Tianzhu Zi*, never yellow ones. Xingfang said that people in the mountains also highly value this herb, making it scarce.

Chili pepper (*Laqie*) has a strongly hot nature. Zhang Xingyun, in *Tiaoji Yinsbian* (Differentiation of Diet for Regulating Illness), believed that in recent decades, people have developed a collective craving for it, with seven or eight out of ten consuming it. (If parents crave spicy foods, their essence and blood will become hot, thereby harming their children.) Diet should be light, bland, and balanced. Strong flavors, if consumed over time, will inevitably damage life. Toxic or inferior substances, if craved, will shorten lifespan. Those who consume these without dying young do so because they lack internal heat. If internal heat exists, how can death not be swift? His words were indeed earnest and pertinent. By extension, not only chili peppers should not be craved, but all pungent-warm items such as black pepper, ginger, leeks, and garlic are sufficient to deplete Yin and damage life. Shen Xuxin stated: Asafoetida (*Awei*) is hardest to obtain genuinely. All books state it smells extremely foul, which may induce vomiting. It is likely that markets sell fake versions made from wild garlic whites. A friend of mine noted that due to different origins, Jiangsu and Zhejiang are thousands of miles away from Tibet/Western Regions, yet the asafoetida sold in markets is very cheap, revealing its falsity. Moreover, its extreme foulness damages the Stomach, offering harm with no benefit; it should not be used. I believe that for drugs lacking genuineness, such as Sangjisheng (Mulberry Mistletoe), Chuan Yujin (Curcuma Wenyujin Rhizome), and Huazhou Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel from Huazhou), seeking them in markets yields only substitutes. Using them for treatment will certainly be ineffective; they should all be avoided.

Winter snow water (Lunar December snow is better) treats epidemic diseases without fever, achieving results most rapidly. While in Hangzhou, whenever there was winter snow, I would collect it and store it in jars. In the fourth month of the Wuwu year of Xianfeng, a sedan-chair bearer surnamed Wang suffered from fever, body swelling, vomiting, inability to eat, intense heat in the epigastrium, and a sensation of a large mass blocking the chest. The illness had lasted over ten days, becoming critical. His wife came seeking medicine. I gave him snow water. After drinking a large bowl, he slept peacefully for about half an hour, broke into a profuse sweat, his body cooled, he desired food, and recovered. At that time, Mrs. Zhu, the neighbor, who was several months pregnant, also suffered from severe heat syndrome. Mrs. Wang gave her the remaining snow water to drink, and she too recovered as the heat subsided.

Medical texts state that eating one hundred white ginkgo nuts causes death due to Qi obstruction. By analogy, all foods that obstruct Qi, such as water caltrop, taro, pumpkin, etc., should be consumed with caution.

Root bark of Melia azedarach (Liann Genpi) that has been unearthed kills people. *Xu Mingyi Leian* (Continued Cases of Famous Physicians, Section on Poisoning) states that unearthed roots of the Chinaberry tree kill people. The son of Mr. Zhu suffered abdominal pain and drank decoction from the southeast root of the Chinaberry tree; he died shortly after. I investigated: *Bencao* (Materia Medica) states that the male Chinaberry tree has red roots that are toxic and kill people, while the female has white roots suitable for medicinal use. Thus, the toxicity of Chinaberry roots cannot be generalized solely by whether they are unearthed.

Miao Zhongchun's *Guang Biji* (Extended Notes): Some prescriptions use Placenta Humanum (Zi Heche), Ta Yuan (Fetal Origin), Hai'er Gu (Child Bone), or bones burned in cremation grounds. These are further detailed in *Bencao Zhushu* (Commentaries on Materia Medica) regarding the efficacy of Tianlinggai (Skull Cap), Renbao (Human Placenta), and umbilical cords of newborns. This is somewhat detrimental to virtue. It is preferable to the approach in *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), which warns against the cruelty of using human bones, placenta, and skull caps. However, listing their flavors, indications, and formulas seems to warrant deletion. Detailed descriptions of their use show harm with no benefit, which would truly be the words of a benevolent person.

What is currently called Shayuan Jili (Acanthopanacis Senticosi Fructus) is the ancient Bai Jili (Tribuli Fructus). What is currently called Bai Jili is the ancient Ci Jili (Tribulus Terrestris). What is currently called Mutong (Akebiae Caulis) is the ancient Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla). What is currently called Tongcao is the ancient Tongtuomu (Tetrapanax Papyriferus). How can practitioners of Qi Bo and Huang Di cling to ancient terms without following contemporary usage?

Zhou Yi Ji suffered from small boils all over his body, extremely itchy. He recovered by drinking decoction of Gougu Ye (Ilex Cornuta Leaf) as tea. Investigation: Gougu, also known as Mao'erci (Cat Thorns) or vulgarly Shida Gonglao (Ten Great Merits), has a bitter, sweet, and neutral taste. Its leaves have five thorns, bearing red fruit in September. *Bencao Huiyan* (Essentials of Materia Medica) states it dispels wind-dampness, invigorates blood and Qi, benefits sinews and bones, and strengthens waist and legs. *Benjing Fengyuan* states it invigorates blood and dissipates stasis, fills marrow and viscera, consolidates essence and blood. Currently, some physicians use several jin of thornless Gougu leaves, adding two or three jin of red dates, boiling into a paste with honey, to treat exhaustion injuries, blood loss, and flaccidity, often achieving results. It seems capable of nourishing Qi and Blood without causing internal injury. Its functions are extensive, yet physicians generally exclude it from decoctions, thus wronging this fine herb.

*Guangyang Zaji* (Miscellaneous Records from Guangyang) says: Previously in Hangzhou, I met a Manchu elder who was blind in both eyes, with no immediate effect from medicines. Someone sold Kongqing (Azurite Malachite). The man offered a high price and was about to use it when he asked me. I said: This substance grows in copper mines; it must be copper essence. Copper nature attacks the Liver. For excess syndromes, eye conditions always improve. Now you are old, and your pulse and symptoms are deficient. You should use warming and tonifying herbs. Using this will be unbeneficial and harmful. The man was skeptical, broke open the mineral to extract water, and applied it to his right eye first. Overnight, severe pain ensued, and the eyeball burst. He then regretted not listening to me, though he relied on my advice to save his left eye. Later, using Spleen-nourishing and Yin-tonifying agents, nearly a year passed before his left eye regained sight. This incident reinforces the knowledge that symptom differentiation and drug selection must be precise; one must not use lightly.

Wutong (Platanus) is rarely used in medicine, but two prescriptions are worth transmitting. For persistent diarrhea unresponsive to various medicines, bathing feet in decoction of Wutong Ye (Platanus Leaf) has miraculous effects. (*Haishang Xianfang*). Frequent consumption of Wutong Zi (Platanus Fruit) is effective for hernia. (*Qiyoutang Yi'an*).

Shenhuangdou (Divine Yellow Bean) is not recorded in various Materia Medicas, appearing only in Ye Dachun's work. *Douxue Zhenshuan* (True Transmission of Smallpox Studies) states: Shenhuangdou originates from Yunnan, capable of preventing smallpox. Take one grain each, chew and swallow with Licorice decoction. However, this is less detailed than Liang Jinzhu Xiaolian Shaoren's *Qiuyu An Suibi* (Random Notes from Autumn Rain Studio), which states: Shenhuangdou is produced in the southern border regions among Western Yi people. It resembles Sophora fruit, slightly larger than common beans. Roast in clay pots to remove black shells, grind into powder, and take with plain water to eliminate smallpox toxins in children. Administration schedule: On the 26th day of each lunar month. Half a grain at six months, one grain at one year, increasing to three grains by three years, ensuring lifelong immunity. Alternatively, some say administer according to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, up to twenty-four grains.

Banjiang Genzhi (Banana Root Juice) is very effective for treating Ding Chuang Zouhuang (Carbuncle spreading systemically). Mr. Niu from Zhenze suffered from a carbuncle; eating pork caused Zouhuang with severe swelling. His wife sought a prescription from my wife. I instructed her to crush banana root and squeeze out one bowl of juice to灌 (force-feed). The swelling subsided immediately, and he recovered, walking freely in the market the next day. Not only does it treat carbuncles, but it also heals any condition with severe heat-toxin. The aunt Tang at the home of my sister-in-law Zhou Xinquan suffered from heat furuncles in summer, persisting into autumn, growing continuously from head to toe. Drinking one teacup of juice cleared the heat.

Cantonese people enjoy chewing Betel Nut (Binglang), believing it wards off miasma, unaware that its harms outweigh its benefits. Wu region people enjoy chewing Castor Seeds (Bimazi), often planting them in groves, harvesting, drying, roasting, and eating them. This is especially to be warned against. Its nature is pungent and hot, draining Yuan Qi (Original Qi); many suffer hidden harm. (This herb is listed in the Poisonous Grass section of *Bencao*. Those who eat it must never eat roasted beans in their lifetime; doing so causes fatal bloating.) Ignorant rural folk make this a habit, which is lamentable!

Eating Scallions and Honey together kills people; everyone knows this. Eating Leeks and Honey together also kills people; few know this. (See Huang Yinzhai's *Zhe Gong Manlu*).