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Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed): It has a slightly sweet and slightly pungent taste, an aromatic odor, and a neutral nature, containing abundant oil. It can supplement Heart Qi (Heart Qi) to treat palpitations and anxiety caused by Heart deficiency; it can moisten Liver Wood (Liver Wood) to treat hypochondriac pain caused by rebellious Liver Qi (Liver Qi); it moistens Kidney Water (Kidney Water) to treat floating deficient heat caused by Kidney Yin (Kidney Yin) deficiency. Although it contains much oil, its nature is not damp or cloying. Moreover, its aromatic odor and sweet taste truly benefit the Spleen and Stomach (Spleen and Stomach). The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states that it expels wind-dampness bi-syndrome (Wind-Damp Bi Syndrome), because when the transformative function of Stomach Qi (Stomach Qi) becomes robust, Qi circulates from the center to the four directions, and the obstruction naturally clears. Its taste is sweet and pungent, and it acquires the descending energy of Autumn Metal (Metal), allowing it to enter the Lung (Lung) to calm cough and relieve asthma, guiding Lung Qi (Lung Qi) downward. In summary, it is a mild and pure substance that benefits all five Zang organs (Five Zang Organs), which is why the *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it calms the five Zang organs. It should be used after thoroughly removing the skin and frying until fragrant; the oil should not be removed.

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states that Bai Shi (Biota Fruit/Bai Zi Ren) calms the five Zang organs, but it is particularly suitable for the Liver (Liver). I once treated a young man surnamed Mao in the neighboring village who had chronic Liver injury, with only the left Guan pulse (Left Guan Pulse) appearing weak. One day, he suddenly experienced pain under his ribs. I prescribed him to take one liang (approx. 37g) of Bai Zi Ren decocted in water alone, and he recovered immediately. From this, it is evident that Bai Zi Ren excels at regulating the Liver.

Da Zao (Jujube): It has a sweet and slightly pungent taste and a warm nature. Its juice is thick, slippery, and moistening, making it best suited to nourish blood vessels, moisten muscles, strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, consolidate the intestines to stop diarrhea, and harmonize various herbs. It can moderate the harsh nature of potent and vigorous medicines, preventing them from damaging the Spleen and Stomach. Therefore, it is used in formulas such as Shi Zao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction) and Ting Li Da Zao Tang (Descurainia Seed and Jujube Decoction). When used together with Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), it becomes an excellent agent for harmonizing Ying (Nutrient) and Wei (Defensive) energies, hence its use in Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and Chai Hu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction). The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states it can "calm the middle" because its extremely sweet taste helps retain the Middle Jiao (Middle Jiao). It also states it can open the nine orifices because its slippery juice and slight pungency give it a draining and unblocking capability. It is said to replenish Qi and fluids deficiency because its sweetness tonifies Qi, and its thick, slippery juice replenishes the body's fluid insufficiency. Although it is an ordinary food, when used appropriately, it can achieve remarkable results.

Zhou Bodu stated: "Sheng Jiang is pungent and yellow in color, entering the Wei level via the Yangming channel; Da Zao is sweet and red in color, entering the Ying level via the Taiyin channel. Da Zao enters the Ying level because sweetness contains pungency. Precisely because its sweet-retaining power is dominant, it does not become overly stagnant when combined with Sheng Jiang; Sheng Jiang's pungent-unblocking power is dominant, so it does not become overly dispersing when combined with Da Zao. Thus, their combination serves as the primary agent for harmonizing Ying and Wei."

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* named it "Da Zao" (Large Jujube) to distinguish it from the small jujube associated with Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed). Generally, sour jujubes are small, and sweet jujubes are large. However, "Da Zao" comprises several varieties; those suitable for medicinal use are approximately characterized by being not crisp when raw, having substantial flesh when dried, and possessing an extremely sweet taste. If used as a daily dietary item, it is advisable to first boil the jujubes in water for two or three boils, then remove them after an hour (at this point, the boiling water tastes very bitter, so the bitterness should be removed first). Then, steam them in a rice steamer. This makes their taste sweet and pleasant, their nature mild, allowing for frequent and long-term consumption without generating heat.

[Attached Case] A friend in my county, Mr. Zhao, was constitutionally frail, approaching fifty years of age, with reduced appetite and progressive emaciation. He consulted me for a prescription. I advised him to eat dozens of cooked jujubes daily as a snack. Over a year later, upon meeting him, I observed his face had become significantly fuller. He remarked, "Since following your advice and taking jujubes daily without interruption, my appetite has increased by one-third compared to before, which is why my physique has become stronger."

My cousin, Mr. Gao, over fifty years old, suffered from insufficient Stomach Yang (Stomach Yang) compounded by Liver Qi stagnation (Liver Qi Stagnation), leading to reduced appetite and frequent abdominal fullness. He had taken medicine for half a year with no effect. Upon my return from a long journey, we discussed this. I prescribed six jin (approx. 3kg) of Da Zao and one jin (approx. 500g) of Sheng Jiang, sliced and steamed together in a rice steamer until cooked. They were then pounded into a paste in a mortar. Three liang (approx. 112g) of fine powder from Gui Zhi Jian (Cinnamon Twig Tip) and one and a half jin (approx. 750g) of roasted wheat flour were added. The mixture was blended evenly, formed into small cakes, and baked dry on a stove. They were to be taken freely as snacks. The illness was cured after completing the dosage.