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The human heart thinking of fire causes the body to feel hot; thinking of water causes the body to feel cold. Anger causes hair to stand on end, fright causes sweat to drip, fear causes muscles to tremble, shame causes the face to turn red, sorrow causes tears to flow, panic causes the heartbeat to accelerate, and anger causes limb numbness. Speaking of sour flavors causes salivation, speaking of foul odors causes spitting, speaking of joy causes laughter, speaking of grief causes crying. Laughter makes one's appearance seem beautiful, while crying makes one's appearance seem ugly. Furthermore, events seen during the day will surely disturb dreams at night; thoughts entertained during the day will surely manifest as delirious speech at night. Sexual intercourse in dreams leads to seminal emission, and explosive anger can lead to madness. These are all changes generated by the Heart (Shen, Spirit). One should revere the spiritual mind (Ling Jun) and ensure it never leaves the Jiang Palace (the Heart) for even a moment to command the internal organs. The Daoist Canon states: "When butterflies mate, their powdery wings fade; when bees mate, their yellow color fades."

All aromatic substances originate from the South. In the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), the South corresponds to the Li position, which governs Fire. Fire is the mother of Earth; when Fire is prosperous, Earth is nourished. Therefore, substances like Agarwood (Chenxiang), Sandalwood (Tantan), and Frankincense (Ruxiang) are mostly produced in the southern coastal regions, where Earth Qi gathers. The *Neijing* states: "Aromatic scents converge on the Spleen. Since Fire belongs to Yang, the scent is fragrant and intense."

The *Qin Jing* (Bird Classic) says: "Magpies gaze resentfully, owls look back greedily, chickens stare angrily, ducks glance sideways in annoyance, sparrows watch with suspicion and fear, swallows chirp frantically, orioles sing joyfully, birds cry sadly, eagles cry out of hunger, cranes call out in purity, owls hoot凶ly, and crows whistle with sorrow."

Secular custom considers the 5th, 14th, and 23rd days of the lunar month as taboo days because the sum of these dates equals the number five in the Hetu (River Map) central palace. Five represents the image of the ruler, so common people dare not use these days.

Shandong has no tigers, Zhejiang has no wild wolves, Guangdong has no rabbits, and Sichuan has no pigeons.

The elephant's body possesses the meat of all beasts, but only its trunk is its original flesh. When roasted, it is fat, crisp, sweet, and delicious. The *Lüshi Chunqiu* states: "Among meats, the trunk (yue) of the hairy elephant is the most exquisite."

When stung by a scorpion, enduring the pain and asking others, "What should I do about this scorpion sting?" and receiving the answer, "Seek self-healing," brings immediate relief. However, if one cries out in agony, the pain intensifies and lasts for a full day and night. In the Guanzhong region, there is a plant called Tian Qie (Wood Cup), which can treat scorpion venom (placing a wooden cup over the sting stops the pain immediately).

For those suffering from chronic illness, the sudden disappearance of lice indicates imminent death, as their Qi has become cold and exhausted.

Dragonflies fly and touch the water not because they love water, but to lay eggs. The naiad (water nymph/larva) transforms into a dragonfly. After mating, the dragonfly returns to the water to scatter eggs on objects, which hatch into naiads again, creating an endless cycle of transformation. The *Huainanzi* states: "Naiads transform into dragonflies... the actions of things often occur unexpectedly."

The pine is the chief of trees, the orchid is the chief of herbs, cinnamon is the chief of medicines, the catalpa is the king of trees, peony is the king of flowers, and sunflower is the king of vegetables. Lunzu (a type of seaweed) and purple laver are sea grasses. Coral and langgan are sea trees.

Jujube and apricot belong to the pit fruit category; pear and naiberry belong to the skin fruit category; coconut and walnut belong to the shell fruit category; pine and cypress seeds belong to the huai fruit category. Flowers on trees are called *hua*, flowers on grasses are called *rong*. Bearing fruit without showing floral beauty is called *xiu*; showing floral beauty without bearing fruit is called *ying*. Bamboo shoots are called *xun*, reed shoots are called *jia*, and seedlings of grain/rice are called *yang*.

Flowers of trees and grasses generally have five petals; snowflakes have six. Zhu Xi believed this aligns with the principle that "Earth Six generates Water." However, osmanthus flowers have four petals. Pan Lijiang argued that terrestrial organisms follow the completion number five, hence most flowers have five petals. Osmanthus, being the tree of the moon located in the West, follows the generation number four of Metal in the West, hence it has four petals and is golden-colored, blooming in autumn. Yet, white jasmine (Yanbu) also has six petals.

When planting flowers, bamboo, or trees, one must scatter a small amount of grain seeds under the roots to guide the vital Qi. When the grain sprouts, the root system develops properly.

There are herbs that induce sleep and herbs that prevent sleep; herbs that induce intoxication and herbs that cure intoxication; herbs that brighten at night and herbs that darken during the day; herbs that close at night and herbs that open at night. Opposing natures exist in such ways.

Densely bundled branches form jujube trees; loosely bundled branches form thorns. Thorns are a type of jujube. The *Pi Ya* states: "Large ones are jujubes, small ones are thorns." Thorns are likely similar to modern wild jujubes. Short jujube trees also spread thorny needles that catch clothing. How are they different from brambles? Only by having long, slender branches and grafting superior varieties can they be cherished by the world. This distinguishes the gentleman from the petty person. Thus, among medicinal fruits, only jujube is prefixed with "Da" (Great), indicating that the small variety is insufficient for use.

Yingchun, Banxia, and Rendong are named after seasons. Liu Jinu, Xuchangqing, Shijunzi, Duzhong, Wangsun, Dinggongteng, and Pugongying are named after people. Lupao Cao, Yinyanghuo, and Luxiancao are named after animals. Gaoliangjiang, Changshan, Tianzhu Huang, and Ganannan are named after places. Huzhang, Gouji, Mabiancao, Wuhei, Gouwecao, Yajiaomu, Heshi, and Shuercao are named after shapes. Yuzhizi, Buliuxing, Gusui Bu, Yimu Cao, and Yelangdu are named after properties. Wumingyi, Meishizi, Weilingxian, Moyao, and Jingtian Sanqi are forcibly named despite having no name. Female deer carry grass to males; spiders bite taro to grind their bellies. Even tiny creatures know how to use medicine, yet humans do not—is this acceptable?

Tu Bie (Ground Beetle), known in Materia Medica as Jie Tuo Chong, is commonly called Bang Hu. "Bang" refers to house termites. This creature's Qi can inhibit termites, causing them to die, hence the name Bang Hu.

Someone asked: Why do seafoods born in salty brine taste bland, but become salty when caught and preserved with salt? The answer is: Living Qi prevails normally; Dead Qi causes change. Life represents Living Qi; Death represents Dead Qi. Thus, seafood is bland in the sea. Once removed and salted, it becomes salty. When alive, Qi and Blood circulate, so flavors do not penetrate. When dead, Qi and Blood coagulate, allowing flavors to enter.

The gallbladder of the Reticulated Python (Ranshe) is precious in medicine but causes impotence when consumed. This snake is huge and usually swallows deer. People in Southern Yue catch it bare-handed or by calling "Red Niangzi" or throwing women's underwear, causing it to lie still for slaughter. It is perhaps the reincarnation of a lustful man.

In Jingdong Prefecture, Yunnan, there is a snake resembling a gecko that climbs trees. Seeing humans, it drops and shatters into pieces, then reconnects when people leave. Used as medicine, it treats severe internal ulcers better than White Flower Black Snake. People collect it in bamboo tubes; once touched by human hands, it dies and cannot reconnect. It is rare and priced equal to gold, called Cui She (Crisp Snake) or Sui She (Shattered Snake).

In the Western Regions, there is a plant called Safalan, resembling Safflower. Heated, it emits a clear, moist fragrance. In China, it is priced equal to gold and is what is known as Turmeric/Yujin. Chen Cangqi said: Turmeric grows in Daqin (Rome), blooms in Feb-Mar like Safflower, and is harvested in Apr-May as spice. *Nanzhou Yiwu Zhi* says: Turmeric comes from Bin Country, planted for Buddha offerings, withered after days, then harvested. It is yellow, resembling lotus buds wrapped in hibiscus, used to scent wine. *Book of Tang* records: During Taizong's reign, the Kingdom of Jiapi offered Turmeric. Leaves resemble Ophiopogon, blooms in Sept like hibiscus, purple-blue, fragrant for dozens of paces, flowers but no fruit; propagation requires roots. These accounts differ in flower color, suggesting multiple species. Current Safalan is reddish-yellow, differing from texts. Chinese call it Fan Honghua (Foreign Safflower). But Honghua was originally brought by Zhang Qian from the West; how could there be another "Foreign" Honghua? Current Yujin is found only in Shu, high quality is rare, often replaced by Curcuma (Jianghuang). True Yujin is pungent and fragrant but not intense. Was this used in ancient wine for spirit invocation? Or offered by barbarians via relay stations for temple use? Or did it exist in antiquity and vanish now? Unknown.

Wu Peng first established medicine.

*Xu Tongxun* states: Doctors treat incurable diseases; mediocre doctors can treat them too, so why seek good doctors? States preserve perilous nations; mediocre people can preserve them, so why seek gentlemen? Only those destined to die test the skill of good doctors; only nations in extreme peril test the ability of gentlemen.

*Wuli Lun* states: A doctor cannot be entrusted unless benevolent; cannot be employed unless intelligent and understanding; cannot be trusted unless honest and pure. Thus, ancient selection of doctors favored distinguished families with virtue of benevolence and wisdom of clarity, capable of knowing heavenly and earthly orders, understanding fate and fortune, distinguishing deficiency and excess, determining reversal and smoothness, assessing disease severity, and dosing accurately. Such individuals are called good doctors. There are famous but bad doctors, and unknown but good doctors. Both must be evaluated and regulated.

Medicine saves lives, but mediocre practitioners kill with it. Armies kill, but sages save with them.

Dispensing medicine across prefectures began with Han Wei Gong (Han Qi).

April 28 is the Birthday of the Medicine King.

Sacrifices to Ancient Physicians occur on the first Jia day of mid-month in Spring and Winter. The Emperor sacrifices to the Three Sovereigns, accompanied by Gou Mang, Zhu Rong, Feng Hou, and Li Mu, plus 28 past physicians. Annual sacrifices are conducted by officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Medical Bureau. East Wing: Jiu Dai Ji, Qi Bo, Bo Gao, Gui Yu Qu, Yu Fu, Shao Yu, Shao Shi, Tong Jun, Lei Gong, Ma Shi Huang, Yi Yin, Bian Que, Chunyu Yi, Zhang Ji. West Wing: Hua Tuo, Wang Shuhe, Huangfu Mi, Ge Hong, Chao Yuanfang, Sun Simiao (Zhenren), Wei Cizang (Medicine King), Wang Bing (Qixuanzi), Qian Yi, Zhu Gong, Li Gao, Liu Wansu, Zhang Yuansu, Zhu Zhenheng.

Medical texts say: "Burn to ash but preserve nature." This phrase is profound. Even after ten thousand kalpas turning to ash, the nature remains. Similarly, when humans fall into sin but occasionally show the Four Beginnings (virtues), even dead bones can shelter descendants. Only when heavy karma burns away all trace does nature perish, leaving Heaven and Sages helpless.

Early Ming Dynasty: Four Confucians from Ningbo met Emperor Taizu in a private hall. They replied, "My profession is medicine." Taizu asked, "Do you know honey can be bitter and bile sweet?" They answered, "Bees making honey from Coptis flowers produce bitter honey; monkeys eating much fruit produce sweet bile." Taizu said, "One who investigates things!" and promoted him to Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau. (Snake bile is also sweet.)

In dialect, " disease" refers to a semi-reclining posture.

Emperor Liang's text advising doctors mentions: "Add Liuyi Powder to Golden Elixir pills; replace Sanqi in Silver Pills."

*Shuowen Jiezi* defines "Yang" as worry. Another definition: insects entering the abdomen and eating the heart. Ancients living in grass houses suffered this poison, hence asking "Are you free of Yang?" Today, people refer to illness as minor or noble "Yang," using "Yang" to mean disease.

Male infants are called "Er," female infants "Ying." "Er" is also called "Ru."

" " (sound 'sui') sometimes written as "Chi Zi Yin." Laozi said: "Knowing not the union of male and female, yet the organ erects, is the utmost essence."

Medical schools have the Longshu Wang Zhuyou Department, a technique of shifting spirit and changing Qi. It can treat cold invasion, contagious miasma, and plague disasters, and should not be abolished. However, injuries from Five Exhaustions and Six Desires, or Seven Damages and Eight Benefits, require herbal medicine.

Childless couples either lack emotional harmony or spiritual connection. Emotional disharmony: If the man is aroused but the woman is not, upon contact, her fluids emerge before his semen arrives. His Yang reaches, but her Yin does not follow, called "Lonely Yang." If the woman is aroused but the man is not, her fluids surge but his semen does not drop. Her Yin reaches, but his Yang does not follow, called "Solitary Yin." Without harmony, like spring without autumn or winter without summer, conception fails. Spiritual connection: Husband loves wife, wife submits to husband. Though bodies unite, hearts connect first. This is spiritual connection. If men are distracted by outside attractions or women are melancholic and unwilling, forced acts with internal conflict also fail to conceive. In such cases, what benefit is medication? (See Tianbao Secrets)

Wang Yutai said: In winter of Bingwu year of Wanli, visiting Wang Zhongjia at Jiufeng Temple. High Monk Yuzhi, Wang Taigu, and Wu Wengjin were present. Zhongjia asked, "Do you know why Wang Jiezhai died?" I said, "No." Zhongjia said, "When Jiezhai was Vice Governor of Sichuan, he suffered abdominal pain. Treatments failed, worsening daily. Hearing of a Daoist healer on Mount Emei inaccessible to others, Jiezhai went alone, dismissing attendants, walking to his residence to show piety. The Daoist saw him and exclaimed, 'The disease is deep.' After greetings, sitting down, the Daoist asked, 'Do you take any raw Qi/Blood tonics, poorly processed?' Jiezhai replied, 'Yes, I took Yin-Nourishing Pills for decades, containing tortoise shell prepared with wine.' The Daoist said, 'That is it! Return quickly.' Counting on fingers, he added, 'You may reach home.' Jiezhai resigned immediately. Upon reaching Suzhou, he passed numerous small red turtles and died that night on the boat. I told the crowd, 'Do you know why? All beings cling to their shells, especially turtles, hence longevity. Some claimed a turtle leg lasted 30 years unharmed—foolish imitation. Daoists wrongly emulate this. Kings used them for divination due to perceived spirit. Ancients used only dead/rotten shells to prevent revival. Revived, it feeds on human Qi/Blood/Fat, destroying organs. Materia Medica lists tortoise shell for breaking masses, malaria, hemorrhoids, leukorrhea, not for tonifying Heart/Kidney. Since Zhu Danxi advocated Yin-tonification, later generations made pills/jellies, finding no benefit and harm. Must we not beware?' He recorded this to warn future generations."

Shao Linwu asked: To learn medicine, one must know drug properties; to know properties, must one read *Bencao*? Answer: Yes! But read with method: Do not look at indications. Linwu asked: Without indications, how to know properties? Answer: Did Heaven create drugs for diseases? No. Saying "Drug X treats Disease Y" is partial. Plants/Grasses have biased Qi; Humans have complete Qi. Bias causes disease. Using plant bias to correct human bias creates medicine. Readers should verify drugs by taste, Qi, color, and growth stages (sprouting, flowering, fruiting, withering) to determine their innate Qi. Knowing which Qi is deficient in a disease allows targeted treatment. *Lingshu · Xieke* discusses insomnia caused by rebellious Qi in organs, preventing Wei Qi from entering Yin. Wei Qi stays in Yang, causing Yang excess and Yang Qiao fullness, preventing Yin entry, leading to wakefulness. Treated with Banxia Decoction. After Summer Solstice, one Yin arises. Banxia sprouts then, indicating it embodies one Yin Qi, thus opening Yin pathways. In May, Yang is strong, so it grows three leaves (thin Qi, Yin within Yang), guiding Wei Qi from Yang to Yin. Its pungent taste disperses Yang Qiao fullness. Drinking it balances Yin/Yang, inducing sleep instantly. Li Mingzhi treated Wang Shanfu with urinary retention and abdominal distension due to Yin deficiency failing to transform Yang. Diuretics (bland/dispersing Yang) failed. Using bitter-cold Yin drugs (Huangbai, Zhimu) with Cinnamon as guide, in pill form, urine flowed like a spring. This disease required pure Yin-within-Yin drugs, avoiding Yang/Superior-Middle Jiao. Pill form allowed large dosage. *Bencao* never said Banxia treats insomnia or Huangbai/Zhimu promotes urination. Relying on indications to find properties is like carving a boat to find a sword. Linwu praised this insight.

Facial edema and scanty urine do not necessarily mean water retention. Continuous diuretics cause water disease. Chest fullness and abdominal bloating do not necessarily mean distension. Continuous Qi-breaking drugs cause distension disease. Coughing blood and fever do not necessarily mean consumption. Continuous Siwu Tang with Huangbai/Zhimu causes consumption disease. Qi stagnation and dysphagia do not necessarily mean dysphagia syndrome. Continuous Qingpi/Chenpi/Zhishi/Houpo formulas cause dysphagia syndrome. Once formed, drugs cannot reverse it. Claiming "symptoms match prescription" when critical is wrong.

Phlegm-Fire obstructing upper Jiao with wheezing, cough, fever, and cold feet: Treating with phlegm-resolving/fire-clearing drugs causes death. Use Ginseng (1 liang max, 3-5 qian min) with Cinnamon/Aconite decoction, cooled, to drink. Immediate cure. Han Mao called this "Fake treating Fake, True treating True." This condition stems from Kidney True Water deficiency, allowing Fire to flare. Cinnamon/Aconite are Fire-type. Initially cool, relieving heat; reaching Lower Jiao, heat activates, drawing Fire down from its source. Same Qi attracts, Fire descends naturally. But without Ginseng as sovereign, it fails. Modern doctors treat stroke with Bawei Shunqi San, often failing, then Erchen/Siwu with Nantianma/Tianma, claiming stability. Failure stems from blindly using Nansing/Banxia for phlegm and Danggui/Chuanxiong for blood, lacking flexibility. Unknowingly, clearing vessels and aiding True Yuan requires large-dose Ginseng. For phlegm, only Bamboo Sap with Ginger Juice is suitable; dry drugs are contraindicated. Danggui/Dihuang are sweet/sticky, stagnating Spleen Qi, hindering Spleen essence transport, failing to cure paralysis. Ginseng enters/exits Yin/Yang, retains in small doses, spreads in large, reaching everywhere. Its vessel-clearing power is in *Bencao*, yet ignored. An old physician in my village had paralyzed right side for two years. Rumored immobile, I met him walking months later. He said: "My illness was critical. Initial Qi-moving/phlegm-resolving drugs failed. Evening confusion seemed fatal. Family brewed Shiquan Dabu Decoction. Clarity returned. Daily use for months allowed cane-walking, then walking freely. Scripture says: 'Where evil gathers, Qi is deficient.' I treated deficiency, ignoring evil, and evil left. That is my success." I said: "True. Had he continued Qi-moving/wind-dispersing drugs, he would be dead. But he stuck to prescriptions, unable to adapt."