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Milk (Niu Ru) According to the *Ben Cao Jing* (Compendium of Materia Medica): It is slightly cold in nature, tonifies deficiency and emaciation, relieves thirst, and directs Qi downward. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Cow's milk from yellow cattle is the best. The *Ming Yi Bie Lu* (Additional Records of Famous Physicians) states: Milk must be boiled for one or two boils before consumption; it should be drunk after cooling. Consuming it hot causes Qi stagnation, and it should not be taken in large quantities at once. It is incompatible with sour foods, causing abdominal masses. Cui Yuxi states: It benefits Stomach Qi and makes the skin lustrous. The *Yang Sheng Yao Ji* (Essentials for Health Preservation) states: For those with cold disorders in the abdomen, drinking milk may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. The *Qi Juan Jing* (Seven Volume Classic) states: It must not be eaten with raw meat, as it generates worms in the abdomen; it must not be eaten with raw fish, as it leads to disease. (Japanese name: Uchinouchi.)

Cheese/Yogurt (Lao) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: It has a sweet and sour taste, is cold in nature, and is non-toxic. It treats heat toxins, relieves thirst, clears deficient heat from the chest, and treats heat sores on the body and face. The *Yang Sheng Yao Ji* states: When the abdomen is slightly unwell, one should not consume cheese, as it causes indigestion.

Butter/Ghee (Su) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: It is slightly cold in nature, tonifies the Five Zang organs, promotes bowel movement, and treats mouth ulcers. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Milk becomes cheese, cheese becomes butter/ghee, and butter/ghee becomes clarified butter (Ti Hu), which is yellowish-white. The *Yang Sheng Yao Ji* states: The Daoist Gan Daoren said: Regular consumption of milk, cheese, butter/ghee, and marrow gives strength, strengthens the Gallbladder, and nourishes the body. Sudden overconsumption causes abdominal distension and diarrhea, which subsides gradually.

Deer Meat (Lu Rou) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: The meat is warm in nature, tonifies the Middle Jiao, strengthens the Five Zang organs, and boosts Qi and strength. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Among wild meats, only roe deer and deer are edible; they do not smell gamey when raw, do not belong to the Earthly Branch Chen (Dragon), have no ruling element in the Eight Trigrams, and can warm and tonify humans without worry of life or death; thus, Daoists permit making them into dried meat. Su Jing's annotation states: Deer head treats Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome); sinews treat labor injury; bones treat deficiency consumptive disease; fat treats carbuncles and necrotic tissue; warms the center; treats inability to move limbs. Another view says: Do not eat near the genitals; antlers treat sudden evil attacks and pain; blood treats traumatic injuries to the yin and has tonifying effects. Also: Deer antler tip (Lu Rong) has a sweet and sour taste, is warm in nature, and non-toxic. It treats leukorrhea with bad blood, alternating chills and fever, boosts Qi and willpower, promotes tooth growth, treats deficiency consumptive disease with emaciation, soreness and pain in four limbs, lower back and spine pain, seminal emission, and hematuria; calms the fetus and directs Qi downward. Antlers treat malignant sores and carbuncles. Marrow has a sweet taste and is warm in nature. It treats men and women with damaged meridians and severed pulses, tendon spasms, and counterflow Qi (cough/wheezing); taken with wine. Also: Roe deer bone treats deficiency damage and seminal emission; meat tonifies the Five Zang organs; marrow boosts Qi and strength and beautifies the face. Cui Yuxi states: Salty and warm, non-toxic. Treats severe wind-cold, cold Qi, mouth ulcers, and Xiao Ke. Heart calms the Middle; Liver calms the Liver; Lung calms the Lung; Kidney calms the Kidney; Spleen calms the Spleen; fat treats limb paralysis. Meng Shen states: Head treats Xiao Ke with frequent dreams; hooves treat pain in knee and leg marrow; raw meat treats facial deviation due to wind-stroke. The *Shan Fu Jing* states: Kidneys are best. The *Qian Jin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) states: Those taking medicine should not eat deer meat, as it renders medication ineffective. This is because deer constantly eat detoxifying herbs, thereby neutralizing various drugs. The *Yang Sheng Yao Ji* states: Deer with leopard spots are inedible and fatal. Also: Deer antler tips and antlers should not be smelled; small white-grain-like insects exist inside, entering the throat causes parasitic diseases incurable by any method. Ma Wan states: Deer meat is disadvantageous to humans. Zhu Simian states: Eating with raw vegetables causes abscesses and worms in the abdomen. White deer gallbladders are inedible. The *Shi Jing* (Food Classic) states: Cooking deer meat with pheasant is fatal. The *Lu Zong Shi Jing* states: Deer without antlers after the fifth month are harmful if eaten. (Japanese name: Kanoshishi.)

Pork (Zhu Rou) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Bitter in taste, it closes blood vessels, weakens sinews and bones, relaxes muscles in deficient persons, and should not be eaten long-term. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Pigs have many uses, but the meat is unsuitable for humans. Excessive consumption leads to rapid obesity, which is merely flabby fat. The *Qian Jin Fang* states: Long-term consumption reduces essence and triggers old diseases. The *Ming Yi Bie Lu* states: Meat is cold, suppresses Danchi minerals, and clears heat. Consumption induces wind due to drug interaction. The *Qi Juan Shi Jing* states: Eating with five pungent spices damages Liver and Spleen; eating with crucian carp causes hair loss and wasting. Do not eat with carp roe, as it harms humans. Zhu Simian states: Eating with fish induces wind and worms in the abdomen; eating pig liver with celery causes lifelong borborygmus. The *Yang Sheng Yao Ji* states: Pig liver that does not stick to dirt when dropped is fatal if eaten. Also: Pork jerky that cannot be burned is fatal if eaten, causing diarrhea. Ma Wan states: Pig eyes with intersecting eyelashes are inedible and harmful. The *Shan Fu Jing* states: Dead pigs with blue eyes are fatal if eaten. Also: Pigs roasted to death, eating their liver is fatal. Also: Pigs with white hooves and blue spotted claws are inedible. Also: White pigs with blue hooves are fatal if eaten. (Note: Harmful substance. Japanese name: Naishishi.)

Pheasant (Zhi) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Sour taste, slightly cold, non-toxic. Tonifies the Middle and boosts Qi and strength. Stops diarrhea. Removes insect masses. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Although not belonging to the Chen branch, it is a bird of the Li trigram; it should not be eaten on Jingwu days. Su Jing's annotation states: Sweet taste, treats various sores. Cui Yuxi states: Treats restless walking. Benefits Liver Qi, brightens eyes, treats tinea and superficial sores. Eating raw heart on Bingwu day damages Liver Qi, raises "Five Ghosts" internally, bringing misfortune. Zhu Simian's *Shi Jing* states: When eating pheasant meat, do not eat bones, as this severely damages sinews and bones. (Japanese name: Shino.)

Skylark (Yunque) Cui Yuxi states: Salty, very warm, non-toxic. Tonifies the Middle, treats impotence, deficiency consumptive disease, and red-and-white dysentery. Made into soup, it strengthens Yin Qi. Larger than sparrows. These birds inhabit Yang areas in spring/summer and Yin areas in autumn/winter. They sing in Yang times and remain silent in Yin times, absorbing Yin Qi to ascend and containing Yang Qi to descend; flying in cloud-Yang and exhaling, hence the name. Their sound is dense, like human shouting. (Japanese name: Hibari.)

Quail (Chun) Meng Shen states: Warm and tonifying to the Five Zang organs, replenishes Qi, solidifies sinews and bones, resists cold and heat, resolves Qi stagnation. Also: Do not eat with pork, as it causes sores. (Note: *Ming Yi Bie Lu* states: Eating with pork causes small black moles.) Also: Those with diarrhea can cook it with ginger. The *Qi Juan Jing* states: Pungent and neutral; causes forgetfulness. Cui Yuxi states: Quails are non-toxic, treat red-and-white dysentery, metrorrhagia, acute wind-damp bi-syndrome, nourish Liver and Lung Qi, and open the nine orifices. (Japanese name: Utsururi.)

Turtle Dove (Jiu) Cui Yuxi states: Bitter and salty, neutral, non-toxic. Heals fractures, tonifies the Middle, strengthens sinews and bones, boosts Qi and strength, promotes agility. Pregnant women especially should avoid it, as its reproductive organs are full, leading to difficult labor. Ancients called it the "non-choking bird"; thus, elders place dove figures on canes to treat dysphagia. (Japanese name: Nami.)

Pigeon (Ge) Cui Yuxi states: Sweet, warm, non-toxic. Treats red-and-white dysentery, tonifies the Middle, directs Qi downward. Resembles turtle doves, has a white beak, hawk-like eyes, and beautiful mottled wings. (Japanese name: Ibaruka.)

Bulbul (Bei) Cui Yuxi states: Sour, cold, non-toxic. Treats red-and-white dysentery, deficiency insufficiency, tonifies the Middle, calms the Hun and Po spirits. (Japanese name: Hiitomeri.)

Eagle (Ying) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Fat is sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Treats wind trauma, spasms, hemiplegia, and Qi obstruction. Long-term use promotes hair growth on temples and eyebrows, and boosts Qi. Cui Yuxi states: Sweet, slightly cold. Treats wind-heat, vexation, preserves complexion, treats lumbar and leg weakness. Eagle species are numerous; large ones are called Hong, small ones Ying. The *Qi Juan Jing* states: No benefit or harm from eating. (Japanese name: Karari.)

Duck (Ya) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Meat tonifies deficient heat, harmonizes Zang-Fu organs, and promotes urination. Meng Shen states: Cold in nature, tonifies the Middle and boosts Qi, aids digestion. Ma Wan states: Ducks with white eyeballs are fatal if eaten. (Japanese name: Kemo.)

Carp (Li Yu) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Meat is sweet, treats cough and rebellious Qi, jaundice, relieves thirst; raw boiled form treats edema and leg fullness, directs Qi downward. Gallbladder is bitter, cold, non-toxic, treats hot eyes, redness/pain, blindness, and brightens vision. Bones treat leukorrhea in women; teeth treat stone strangury. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Carp is the master of fish forms, lovely and magical; mountain water carps are inedible. Also: Carp must not be eaten with adzuki bean leaves; roe with pig liver harms humans. Su Jing's annotation states: Ash treats genital erosion and difficulty passing urine; blood treats infant erysipelas; skin treats hidden rashes; brain treats epilepsy; intestines treat infant impetigo. The *Ming Yi Bie Lu* states: Meat calms the fetus, treats fetal movement, and reduces pregnancy swelling. Boiled, it breaks cold Qi, resolves masses, and dissipates Qi blocks. Counting scales from spine to tail, there are always thirty-six. The *Qi Juan Jing* states: Carp is neutral and tonifies the Middle. Also [character]: Wild king carp. Also [character]: Carp. Also [character]: Large carp. Cui Yuxi states: Carp is warm, non-toxic, treats podagra and adverse Qi, boosts strength. Meng Shen states: Inedible after epidemic fevers; recurrence is fatal. Sand-dwelling carps have high toxicity in the brain/head; do not eat the head. Always cut the two tendons on the spine and remove black blood, as these are toxic. Zhu Simian states: White-headed carps must not be eaten with scallions and cinnamon, causing malignant diseases. Ma Wan states: Eating during pregnancy causes sores in the child. The *Yang Xing Yao Lu* states: Do not eat carp while consuming Tian Men Dong, as the illness will not resolve. (Japanese name: Hibi.)

Crucian Carp (Ji Yu) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Treats various sores; burnt and applied with soy sauce. Also treats intestinal abscesses. Also known as Fu Yu. Made into sashimi, treats chronic red-and-white dysentery. The *Ming Yi Bie Lu* states: Head treats fishy cough; burnt ash is ingested. Meat treats emaciation; cooked and eaten. Sashimi treats red-and-white dysentery and five types of hemorrhoids. The *Qi Juan Jing* states: Sweet and warm; excessive consumption causes fever. Cui Yuxi states: Salty, very cold, non-toxic. Treats mental restlessness, tonifies Five Zang organs, calms the Middle. Do not drink water after eating crucian carp sashimi, as it generates roundworms. Do not eat with pork, causing cold accumulation in the abdomen. Meng Shen states: Sashimi stops acute dysentery. Roe regulates the Middle and benefits Liver Qi. Zhu Simian states: Eating raw with deer meat causes tendon stiffness. Also: Do not eat carp roe and crucian carp together. Do not eat with cheese. Do not eat with sugar, causing "sweet worms." Do not eat with bamboo shoots, causing undigested food retention and immobility. The *Yang Xing Yao Ji* states: Crucian carp must not be eaten with pig liver. (Japanese name: Funai.)

Eel (Man Yu) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Sweet, non-toxic, treats hundred diseases. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Eel consumption is considered tonifying. There are eels similar but larger, and yellow eels that are delicious and beneficial. There is also a human-fish resembling an eel with four legs, sounding like a child; its fat burns without depletion. Used in Qin Shi Huang's tomb, called human fat. Su Jing states: Eel, also known as Li fish or Shan fish. Treats water edema and promotes urination. Cui Yuxi states: Eel is warm, treats wind-cold bi-syndrome, red-and-white dysentery, deficiency insufficiency, beautifies skin. Resembles trout but smaller, white with white film on skin. One to two chi long, seven to eight cun small, scaleless, born in spring, grows in summer, declines in autumn, dies in winter. Also known as Shan. The *Shi Jing* states: Red-eared eels and gill-less eels are fatal if eaten. (Japanese name: Ayu.)

Sea Bream (Diao) Cui Yuxi states: Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Promotes water elimination, reduces edema, promotes urination, removes hemorrhoid worms, breaks accumulations, treats cough and rebellious Qi. Intestines treat parasites in foul sores, benefit sinews and bones. Resembles crucian carp with red fins and hard scales. (Japanese name: Tobi.)

Sea Bass (Lu) Cui Yuxi states: Salty, very warm, non-toxic. Treats wind-bi, blood stasis, facial discoloration. Resembles carp with large gills; tonifies the Middle, calms Five Zang organs, suitable for sashimi. The *Shi Jing* states: Bass soup is unfavorable. Also: Bass liver is fatal. Also: Treatment for bass poisoning: Drink crushed reed rhizome juice. (Japanese name: Susushi.)

Mackerel (Qing) Cui Yuxi states: Salty, very warm, non-toxic. Treats bloody dysentery, tonifies the Middle, calms Kidney Qi. Resembles silver carp, small mouth, pointed back, grayish; suitable for soup. Tonifies the Middle; Southerners eat much for complexion. Epilepsy patients find mackerel difficult to cure. (Japanese name: Sawa.)

Sturgeon/Headstone Fish (Shi Shou) Cui Yuxi states: Sweet and warm, non-toxic. Treats dysentery, brightens eyes, calms spirit. Resembles eel with white film on skin, white tail connected. Has stones in the head; Jiangnan people call it Headstone Fish. (Japanese name: Achi.)

Year Fish (Nian Yu) Cui Yuxi states: Salty, very warm, non-toxic. Stops dysentery, boosts Qi. Eggs resemble red berries. Also known as Year Fish. Born in spring, dies mid-year, hence the name. Effective for wind-bi. (Japanese name: Sake.)

Trout (Sun) The *Qi Juan Jing* states: Sour, hot; excessive consumption causes sores. The *Zi Lin* states: Red-eyed fish. Smaller than eels. (Note: Harmful substance. Japanese name: Misu.)

Snakehead/Lee Fish (Li Yu) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Treats damp-bi, facial edema, severe strangury, and five hemorrhoids. Inedible for those with sores, causes white scars. Also known as Li fish. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Written as Li character now; formerly said to be transformed from male oyster snakes. Cui Yuxi states: Tonifies Middle, brightens eyes. Do not drink water after eating Li liver, as it generates snake offspring. (Note: Harmful substance. Japanese name: Hamu.)

King's Remainder Fish (Wang Yu) The *Qi Juan Jing* states: No benefit or harm. Guo Pu states: Wang Yu is like flatfish; though two halves, it is one fish. Non-swimming pairs are Wang Yu; swimming pairs are flatfish. The *Sou Shen Ji* states: King Goujian cut fish for sashimi but didn't finish cutting; half fell into the sea and transformed into Wang Yu fish. (Japanese name: Karabi.)

Cuttlefish (Otsuki) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Salty, slightly warm, non-toxic. Treats women's leukorrhea, red menstruation, white discharge, blood closure, genital erosion/swelling, alternating chills/masses, infertility, fright Qi entering abdomen, peri-umbilical pain, cold genital swelling. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Transformed from Bei bird; mouth and feet remain. The *Ming Yi Bie Lu* states: King of Qin dropped his abacus bag into the sea, transforming into this fish. Shape resembles bag, with two long straps, ink remains in abdomen. Meng Shen states: Small amounts benefit marrow. The *Yang Sheng Yao Ji* states: Salty, warm; no benefit or harm. Cui Yuxi states: Salty, very cold when raw, warm when dry, non-toxic. Treats ghost Qi entering abdomen, colic and masses. Southern seas have hanging floating birds; birds fly down seeing them, die instantly, curled up and caught, hence named Cuttlefish. Servant of the Sea God. (Japanese name: Ibaka.)

Sea Mouse (Hai Shu) Cui Yuxi states: Salty, very cold, non-toxic. Tonifies Kidney Qi, removes wind from joints. Resembles horse leech, large ones 5-6 chi, small ones 1-2 chi, with small horns like leather sacs that contract and swell. Dried form is warm, treats dysentery, promotes hair growth, jaundice, and emaciation. Intestines are particularly effective for hemorrhoids. The *Qi Juan Jing* states: No benefit or harm; beneficial for internal jaundice if eaten raw. (Japanese name: Ko.)

Sea Jelly (Hai Yue) Cui Yuxi states: Pungent, very cold, non-toxic. Promotes bowel/bladder function, removes Guan Ge syndrome, jaundice, and Xiao Ke. Resembles moon in sea, hence the name. There is also Congealed Moon, salty/bitter/cold, treating jaundice/Xiao Ke; congeals when boiled, hence the name. Also known as Water Mother. (Japanese name: Kuraisuke.)

Octopus (Hai Shao) Cui Yuxi states: Salty, warm, non-toxic. Treats deficiency consumptive disease, insufficiency, and dysentery; tonifies Middle, calms Five Zang organs. Large ones 10-20 zhang, called Hai Ji Zi; small ones over 1 chi, called Hai Shao Zi; Jiangdong calls them Chu Wai Jia Zi. The *Qi Juan Jing* states: Pungent, neutral, cold when raw, warm when dry; beneficial for internal jaundice if eaten raw. (Japanese name: Tago.)

Sandworm/Bian Yi Cui Yuxi states: Sweet, slightly cold; no benefit or harm. Or said to tonify Middle and clear heat. Resembles large earthworm, lives in seaside mud, similar to large Yi. People dig them from holes, cut with reed knife, remove sand, and eat with soybean paste and salt for flavor. (Japanese name: I.)

Oyster (Li) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Oyster shell is salty, neutral, slightly cold, non-toxic. Treats cold damage, chills/fever, warm malaria, removes spasms and scrofula, treats women's bleeding and leukorrhea. Heart pain and Qi stagnation, relieves thirst, removes old blood. Treats pharyngitis and cough; long-term use strengthens bones/joints and prolongs life. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Transformed from 100-year-old eagle. The *Ming Yi Bie Lu* states: All things have male/female, except oysters formed from salt water, motionless; how do they reproduce? The term "Male" (Mu) likely doesn't refer to the male. Cui Yuxi states: Dispels nightmares, treats insomnia, delirious speech, and unstable will. Winter harvest is superior; summer is inferior; boil or steam to eat. Meng Shen states: Boil, remove shell, eat deliciously. Makes skin smooth and complexion beautiful. The *Qi Juan Jing* states: Inedible for those with leprosy. (Japanese name: Kashi.)

Seashell (Hai Ge) According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Bitter and salty, neutral, non-toxic. Treats cough/rebellious Qi, asthma, chest fullness/pain, chills/fever, and impotence. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Found in eagle droppings. The *Shuo Wen* states: 1000-year-old swallows transform into seashells and giant clams. Also known as Fu Lao/Fu Yi, transforming into shells and reproducing. The *Ming Yi Bie Lu* states: Seashells are rotten shells in sea mud, naturally rounded by wind and waves. Clam shells (Wen Ge) are unrotten with patterns. Cui Yuxi states: Cold, treats Qi consumption, boosts strength. Small ones resemble beans and are lustrous, swallowed by geese/eagles. Large ones 2-3 cun to 5-6 cun, with patterns, purple spots, yellow spots, or black spots; pure black is best. (Japanese name: Namakuri.)

Abalone Shell/Shi Jue Ming According to the *Ben Cao Jing*: Salty, neutral, non-toxic. Treats white cornea pain, blindness; long-term use benefits essence and lightens the body. Tao Hongjing's annotation states: Abalone shell. Su Jing's annotation states: Seven-hole variety is best. Cui Yuxi states: Warm, treats lumbar/leg diseases, tonifies Five Zang organs, calms Middle, benefits essence/Qi. Thin, perforated, 7 or 9 holes; Abalone is authentic; writing as "Bao" is incorrect. Opens nine orifices, brightens eyes/mind, hence "Jue Ming" (Deciding Brightness). Grows attached to stones, hence "Shi Jue Ming". Qin Shi Huang sought elixirs in the East Sea; was this it? (Japanese name: Apobi.)