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Pungent in flavor, slightly cold in nature, and toxic. It primarily treats leukorrhea with blood (vaginal discharge of red or white matter), alternating chills and fever, breaks down lithiasis (pain caused by urinary calculi), kills birds, beasts, thieves, and rats, eliminates heat between the five Zang organs, removes "rats" in the muscles (referring to subcutaneous nodules or parasitic sensations), stops irritability and fullness, tonifies the Middle Jiao, removes Jue-Bi (a condition characterized by cold extremities and numbness/pain), and benefits the joints. When used, it must be processed; otherwise, upon contact with water, it will rot and damage the intestines. Another view holds that its efficacy is better when combined with water. Also known as Ma Ge (Horse Clam). It grows in rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, and the East Sea, and can be harvested at any time.

Greatly cold in nature. It primarily treats red, hot, and painful eyes, and stops thirst.

Salty in flavor, neutral in nature, and toxic. It primarily treats corneal opacity (clouding of the cornea), Gui Zhu (a contagious chronic wasting disease), abdominal pain due to Gu poison (parasitic poisoning), hematochezia (blood in stool), Wu Long (five types of difficult urination), and promotes the flow of water passages. It eliminates cold-heat Wen Zhu (warm-heat infectious diseases), releases the muscle layer, dissipates clustered heat, and is best used after being calcined (burned to charcoal). Also known as Bei Chi (Shell Tooth). It grows in the East Sea's ponds and marshes.

Salty in flavor, neutral in nature, and non-toxic. It primarily treats fullness and pain in the heart and abdomen,急促 breathing (shortness of breath), stops dysentery, and treats lower jiao Lin syndrome (dysuria with pain). It grows in the South Sea.

Salty in flavor, neutral in nature, and non-toxic. It primarily treats eye opacities, stops bleeding, and generates flesh. It belongs to the mollusk class. It is as large as an abalone, with yellow-black skin and white bone, often used as horse ornaments. It grows in the South Sea, and can be harvested at any time.

Birds, beasts, insects, and fish, totaling one hundred and sixteen species, are all living beings that each protect and cherish their own bodies, no different from humans. Therefore, it is said that "taking from near, one looks to the body; taking from far, one looks to things." Since humans receive life from Heaven, it is evident that birds and beasts also love themselves. Thus, those who require animal medicines must seek out individuals that have already died, or purchase them in the market. If they absolutely cannot be obtained, one must not kill living creatures to save one's own life, as this contradicts the original intent of formulating prescriptions. Be cautious, be extremely cautious.

Twenty-five Ingredients

Pungent in flavor, warm in nature, and non-toxic. It primarily warms the Middle Jiao, treats abdominal pain, vomiting, and removes bad breath odor. It grows in the South Sea.

Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, and non-toxic. It primarily treats damp-bi syndrome of the sinews and bones, tonifies Qi, doubles physical strength, and strengthens willpower. It makes people fat and robust, able to endure hunger and resist wind-cold. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends longevity. It can be made into wine, drives out water retention, and promotes urination. It grows in the valleys of Longxi, Wuyuan, and Dunhuang.

Sour and salty in flavor, neutral in nature, and non-toxic. It primarily calms the Five Zang organs, benefits Essence and Qi, promotes growth and firmness of the genitals, strengthens willpower and doubles strength, and aids fertility. It also treats sudden stroke, body heat, and severe fright. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prevents aging. Also known as Fu Pen (Covered Basin), also known as Ling [missing character], also known as Yin [missing character]. It grows in the plains and marshes of Jing Mountain and Yuanju.