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Shennong used a red whip to strike the hundred herbs, removing their toxicity, and then distinguished their flavors and scents, observed their cold and warm properties, and compiled the *Ben Cao Jing* (Classic of Materia Medica) in three volumes. Although the number of drugs gradually increased later, by the end of the Han Dynasty, only 365 types were transmitted. By the Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen (courtesy name Dongbi) collected works from various schools and compiled the *Ben Cao Gang Mu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), which included up to 1,812 types, but contained many errors and inaccuracies. I believe that ancient texts are concise yet often lacking, while modern texts are elaborate but prone to errors. Recently, only Wu's *Ben Cao Cong Xin* (New Revision of Materia Medica) from Ganshui has appropriate selections and is convenient for reference, making it worthy of popular appreciation. However, within just a century, the varieties of drugs have changed significantly; some exist only in name without corresponding substances, leading pharmacies to substitute them with other medicines. Physicians, knowing only that certain drugs treat certain diseases, indiscriminately select and misuse them, causing endless harm. Presuming on my own limited knowledge, I once intended to clarify the origins, distinguish flavors and scents, verify authenticity, remove false entries, and supplement missing ones, compiling a new book titled *Ben Cao Shi Yi* (Timely Materia Medica) for practical use. Yet, requiring detailed and accurate verification before writing, I have completed only over seventy types in twenty years. Now that I have passed sixty, I fear I cannot finish this work. If granted a few more years, perhaps I would have no regrets regarding this book.

Regarding *Renshen* (Ginseng Root), ancient materia medica states it grows in the valleys of Shangdang and Liaodong, with a long shape and yellow color, resembling *Fangfeng* (Saposhnikovia Root). Ginseng from Baekje is slender, hard, and white, with a weaker flavor and scent than that from Shangdang; these descriptions refer to *Dangshen* (Codonopsis Root). Li Shizhen, in compiling the *Ben Cao Gang Mu*, extensively searched for various items but omitted Ginseng. It was not until our dynasty, when Wu from Ganshui revised the *Ben Cao Cong Xin*, distinguishing *Renshen* and *Dangshen* as two different types, that it became clear that true Ginseng was unknown during the Ming Dynasty. Goods traded from Baekje, Silla, and Goryeo were all similar to Shangdang Ginseng. According to *Tan Yuan*, Shao Huaji treated the King of Goryeo with medicine, noting that Ginseng is extremely hard; chopping it with an axe releases a fragrance filling the palace. Also, according to *Hanhai Xubian*, there is "Tatar Ginseng" in Liaodong, which is reddish-bright, solid with a central core, sweet with a slight bitterness, and shows a "golden well and jade railing" pattern when broken; chewing it allows one to walk without altering breathing. These all refer to Ginseng. At that time, because it did not circulate in China, it did not enter the interior. It began to be used in the early Qing Dynasty, and its fame spread subsequently. As collectors increased, production decreased, and entering mountains yielded little, leading people to abandon the trade. In the early Daoguang era, nearby farmers planted seeds, passing them off as Ginseng, leading to widespread counterfeiting. Genuine Ginseng nearly disappeared. Physicians, seeing so many fakes, were about to discard it entirely, marking a disaster for Ginseng. Today, Ginseng from Ningguta is rare; the best comes from Chuan Chang, followed by Fenghuang Cheng. Wind-produced Ginseng is tender and sugary, hence cheaper. Previously, smooth, round, short, and mature specimens were prized; now, rough, mature, and mixed qualities are valued, representing a minor shift in Ginseng standards. Reading *Ou Bei Ji*, I recall state history stating that our dynasty traded Ginseng with Goryeo at ten taels per jin. After stabilizing the realm, increased sales drove prices up. However, checking the poem "Thanking Kui Kai Gong for Gifted Ginseng" by Cha Huiyu in the Jiawu year of Kangxi, which mentions "ten gold for one qian," suggests the price was only ten times higher then. In the 15th year of Qianlong, fearing exhaustion for the metropolitan exam, I exchanged 1.6 taels of silver for one qian of Ginseng. By the 28th year, due to illness, I took Ginseng, and its price had already risen by more than half. Over thirty years, the increase exceeded tenfold. Current market prices are not vastly different, but production is far inferior to before. I have carefully distinguished authenticity, finding it not difficult to identify. However, modern physicians often do not deeply investigate the flavors of common herbs, let alone rare ones. Some have never seen the real thing in their lives; how can such people be discussed? Ultimately, genuine Ginseng is not non-existent, but its high price and scarcity among experts mean that only wealthy families accustomed to tonic use know its true taste. Nevertheless, in treating smallpox, obstetrics, and conditions of impending collapse of Yuan Qi (Primary Qi), it possesses the power to revive the dying, irreplaceable by other drugs. I recall a relative's wife who suffered heavy bleeding during childbirth, which stopped upon taking Ginseng. In the Renchen year of Daoguang, during another delivery, inferior Ginseng was prevalent. Someone placed two liang (approx. 60g), intending ten times the dose to compensate for lower quality. Upon ingestion, bleeding worsened, and Qi depleted dangerously. Urgently, one qian (approx. 3g) of wild mountain Ginseng was purchased and administered, stopping the bleeding immediately. The efficacy of Ginseng surpasses all other drugs. Circulating in China for over a century, it has saved countless lives. Since being privately cultivated by unscrupulous individuals, leading to confusion between fake and real, it has been suspected by the world, which is truly regrettable!

The Classic states: "Five grains for nourishment, five vegetables for supplementation." Vegetables (Shu) imply gathering, assisting grain Qi and clearing stagnation. Li Shizhen said: Edible plants include Leek, Scallion, Okra, Garlic, and Broad Bean Leaves. However, vegetables are not limited to these five; records mention 360 types, yet the *Ben Cao Gang Mu* only lists 150, with the rest unverified. Current daily consumption covers less than 30-40%. Among vegetables, Garlic, Coriander, and Alfalfa were obtained from the Western Regions in the Han Dynasty. During the Zhenguan era of Tang, Naluo Kingdom offered Spinach and Allium hookeri, which continue to be cultivated today. Recently, vegetables and fruits from Western countries have been introduced, planted locally for profit, and consumed by Chinese people. I will briefly list a few, distinguishing their flavors and scents for reference. Cabbage, commonly known as Halacai, has leaves rolled like a ball, green in color, turning slightly purple after frost. Removing outer layers reveals tender, yellow, crisp inner leaves. When fully expanded, it resembles an umbrella. Its flavor is sweet and neutral, benefiting the intestines and clearing the stomach, similar to Chinese Cabbage (Songcai) but less flavorful. Cauliflower originates from America (Huabi), hence the name. Leaves are lobed like mustard greens, pale yellow, with a sweet and bland flavor, moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm, possessing a mild nature. Bamboo Shoots are white, slender, and jade-like, with a bland and slightly pungent flavor, solid inside without nodes, distinct from bamboo. Locals named them for their resemblance to shoot buds. Southern Chinese Cabbage transplanted north becomes Turnip (Wujing); yet, across oceans, these varieties retain their color and taste, which is inexplicable.

Ancients ate cooling foods in spring and cold foods in summer to nourish Yang, and warming foods in autumn and hot foods in winter to nourish Yin, aligning with the four seasons, harmonizing Yin and Yang, and calming the Six Fu Organs. Naturally produced fruits also benefit humans according to the seasons: Spring produces Plums, sour and astringent to calm Liver Wood; Summer produces Melons, sweet and cold to clear summer heat; Autumn produces Pears, sweet and cool to descend Lung Metal; Winter produces Goji Berries, sweet and warm to tonify Kidney Water. This corresponds to the Classic's statement: "Five fruits for assistance, five flavors corresponding to five colors, aligning with the Five Zang Organs."

Practitioners of esoteric arts obtain menstrual blood from young virgins, called "Red Lead." They refine it through various methods to deceive people, a practice especially prevalent in the late Ming Dynasty. A sorcerer prepared a pill using milk, administered via nasal instillation to supine patients, calling it "Administering Great Medicine." Many court nobles sought it. The case of Li Kezhuo's Red Pill involved this substance. Menstrual blood is salty, hot, and toxic; ingestion damages the brain. Sorcerers' claims are unreliable. The Golden Dan Poem by Xiao Liao Zhen also illustrates this.

Bamboo roots and wood shavings are noted by sages, as nothing in the world is useless. Medicine is the same. Understanding the principle, any object can treat disease. Xu Sibai once used pillows from corpses to treat Corpse Transmission (Shizhu), Stone Warts, and hallucinations, achieving immediate results. Asked why different ailments responded to the same pillow, Xu Sibai explained: Corpse Transmission involves ghostly Qi lying dormant, causing stagnation; the pillow causes the soul's Qi to scatter, detaching from the body. Stone Warts are stubborn, hardened by insect nature, resistant to medicine; thus, ghostly objects disperse them. Eye pain with visions of spirits indicates evil Qi invading the Liver; using evil to attract evil, the pillow hooks it out. Though different, the similarities allow effective treatment when the underlying intent is grasped. Before the Song Dynasty, such practices were unknown. Later, spirit shoes, corpse mats, and ropes from suicides were used for treatment and recorded in Materia Medica.

Lei Wan (Thunder Pill) is named so because, according to Materia Medica, it forms from the essence condensed during lightning strikes, similar to Thunder Axes or Wedges. Buried in sunny spots for years, it grows egg-sized and iron-hard. Lightning fire arises from damp earth vapor,郁积 (accumulated) and erupting with earth Qi, releasing Yin-Yang energy. Lei Wan absorbs this residual Qi, clearing Stomach Fire and dispersing heat in the skin. However, long-term use causes impotence due to its Yin nature. In the Zhizheng era of Yuan, an old woman in a county farm was struck by lightning, died, then revived with a pill in her mouth. Neighbor Yu mistook it for a divine elixir, swallowed it, and developed throat pain with a sensation of indigestion. Anger induced coughing, expelling the object, which resembled a plum pit, smooth, yellow, and unbreakable by axe. Years of throat pain ceased. This likely was Lei Wan. Yu ingested it when ascending Qi was strong, forcing fire upward, causing throat pain. Anger triggered expulsion, removing the object and relieving pain.

Tobacco was unknown in antiquity. Fujian people obtained Tabacum from overseas, burning it and inhaling smoke through tubes, claiming it repelled miasma. Ming Dynasty troops in Yunnan used it. It became popular in the interior in our dynasty. Now, even laborers and farmers keep it for guests. Materia Medica states its nature is purely Yang, capable of dispersing, thus transforming dampness and resisting cold. Its aroma spreads instantly throughout the body, providing comfort. However, smoke burns and severely damages Lung Qi. Many current throat and tongue ulcers may stem from smoking. To avoid heat, people recently invented water pipes (Shuiyan Dai), filtering smoke through water, claiming it achieves balance (Ji Ji). However, inhalation further damages Qi. Health-conscious individuals should avoid it.

Pepper from Sichuan has five colors corresponding to the Five Elements. Tonic practitioners call it the "Great Elixir of Herbs," claiming refined consumption strengthens teeth and hair, regulates joints against cold and heat, and promotes longevity. Pepper is acrid and hot, damaging Lung Qi and depleting energy; refined consumption is unsuitable. People use its fragrance to mask fishy odors, unaware it promotes fire and moves blood, causing illness. Chen Yansheng of Ningbo loved pepper and lost his teeth before fifty, verifying this.

All blood-containing creatures have slow-growing bones. Humans take twenty years from embryo to adult for bone marrow to harden. Only Elk and Deer antlers harden in two months, growing inches daily, faster than fast-growing plants. Thus, they strengthen sinews and bones, enhance Yang function, and replenish essence and marrow. An old Daoist song for Banlong Wan (Spotted Dragon Pill) says: "If the tailgate cannot stop the ocean from drying, nine-turn elixirs are slow; only the pearl on the Spotted Dragon's head can nourish the Jade Hall and lower caves." The pill contains Deer Antler Velvet. Deer prefer mountains and belong to Yang, shedding antlers at Summer Solstice. Elks prefer marshes and belong to Yin, shedding at Winter Solstice. Modern collectors mix Elk and Deer antlers, ignoring that differing Yin-Yang natures yield different effects.

Four-season plants grow according to timing; harvesting must be timely. Off-season harvests alter flavor and efficacy. Even blood and flesh products should not be taken raw to preserve their nature. Market sellers of She Abdomen (She Qi) cut it alive; the aroma is unrefined, and the secretion is foul, harming users. She eats fragrant grasses; winter concentrates aroma in the abdomen. In spring, itching causes self-extraction. Women collect this "Raw Incense," which lasts years. Hunters now dry She feces, fill them with live-cut She Qi, or insert stable flies (removing heads/legs/wings) into the sheath, sealing them. The aroma persists, called Dangmenzi, yielding five benefits from one She. Flies are toxic; mixing with incense is acceptable, but adding to medicine is harmful.

Market "Vinegar Turtles" claim origin from Putuo Mountain. Resembling snails, bean-sized, said to induce labor. Pregnant women swallow them during birth, supposedly holding the baby out. I tested this with no effect. *Haicha Yulu* identifies them as Orbea Seeds (Xiangsi Zi) from the sea, kept in boxes for a year without decay. Dropped in vinegar, they spin endlessly, but have no labor-inducing properties. They are toys, like "Male-Female Stones" from Putian, which attract each other. Sellers claim they treat eye diseases and enhance libido, charging high prices, deceiving the ignorant without evidence.

Mu Bie Zi (Momordica Seed) is listed in Materia Medica as non-toxic, treating dysentery and infantile malnutrition. However, a warning notes two sons in Jimen died after taking it. Recently, farmer Cao, whose nine-year-old son suffered chronic abdominal pain, was advised Mu Bie Zi treats malnutrition. He bought five wen worth, boiled it, and gave it to his son. Within hours, the boy's muscles trembled, tendons relaxed, joints disintegrated, and he died. There are two types: Southern type, slender with convex base, also called Mu Shi Zi, used for dysentery, similar to Sophora Seed. This type is rare. Current market sells Fan Mu Bie (Foreign Momordica) from Central Asia, used externally for sores, fatal if ingested. Do not use medicinally.

Xia Ziyi stated: Heaven, Earth, rivers, mountains, trees all have fat/resin. This is residual Yin-Yang Qi condensing into marrow. Drinking Heavenly Fat makes one an Upper Immortal; Earthly Fat makes an Earthly Immortal; Mountain/Tree Fat grants infinite life. *Guiguzi's Record of Immortals* says: Take Heavenly Fat from steep peaks, place gold plates with pearls, check at dawn. Clear dew turns white, fragrant, sweet liquid. Earthly Fat emerges where earth veins gather, returning to earth if not collected. Mountain Fat includes Stalactites (Zhongru), sweat of stone, marrow of fat. Water Fat sprays from the sea, falls back, consumed by shellfish to become divine. Tree Resin appears in millennia-old trees regrowing, able to transform infants, wandering unpredictably, rare. *Fangzhen Bianian* records Gao Zhan, magistrate of Jingzhou, saw foam from bricks, touched it, applied to an old clerk's face, smoothing wrinkles and restoring youth. Daoist Chengtian said it was Earthly Fat, granting immortality. Gao dug up bricks, but none remained.

In Kangxi era, a woodcutter in Shunde heard crying in a tree. Looking up, he saw smoke-like vapor around an ancient tree; birds fell near it. Cutting open revealed a person-like figure of congealed fat, unresponsive to speech, smiling to touch. Companion said it was Tree Resin, not evil. Steamed and eaten, he felt hot, bathed in a stream, and his flesh rotted away. Immortal/Buddhist books are vague and unreliable. Wise men avoid abnormal things.

Shi Jun Zi (Quisqualis Indica Fruit) is named after Gu Shijun of Panzhou, who cured children's abdominal pain with it. Children's abdominal pain is often parasitic. Most vermifuges are bitter/acrid; Shi Jun Zi is sweet, safe for children's Spleen/Stomach. Folklore claims killing all worms hinders digestion, a foolish view. Li Shizhen compared worms to termites in trees, ants in houses, thieves in states—clearly detrimental. Cultivators must eliminate the Three Corpses (parasites/demons); worms should be killed, not kept.

People love eating white eggs, claiming they calm organs and boost Qi/Blood, but they are hard to digest unless thoroughly cooked, causing stagnation. *History of Southern Dynasties* records Li Daonian's five-year illness, unresponsive to treatment. Chancellor Chu Cheng diagnosed excessive egg consumption. Boiled garlic induced vomiting of twelve chick-shaped masses, curing him. Li Shizhen noted a noble eating eggs daily without ill effect because he always ate garlic. This confirms eggs should not be overconsumed and garlic resolves meat stagnation.

Buddhism and Daoism prohibit Five Pungent Spices. Daoists forbid Leek, Scallion, Garlic, Allium chinense, and Chinese Chives. Buddhists forbid Garlic, Small Garlic, Asafoetida, and Onion. Though differences exist, all are pungent; raw increases anger, cooked increases lust, damaging spiritual purity, hence avoided.

Loofah is excellent in *Ben Shu*. Folklore claims it is very cold and damages Yang. Materia Medica says it is sweet/neutral, clearing heat, benefiting intestines, detoxifying, and unblocking collaterals. *Shengsheng Bian* claims it warms the Stomach and boosts Yang. My analysis finds it sweet/cool. Cooling blood treats intestinal wind and metrorrhagia; net-like structure unblocks collaterals; soft/slippery texture explains "damaging Yang." The "warming" claim is contradictory.

Dog fleas and cattle lice are absent in ancient formulas but used recently for smallpox, originating from folk tales. Zhou Mi recorded Chen Po, a scholar, whose grandson had severe smallpox. A scholar gave a powder mixed with fermented rice wine, restoring health. The formula used dog fleas. Insects in medicine exploit their flying/scattering nature, used in trauma to open blood blockages. Smallpox relies on Qi/Blood to form pus and scabs. Deficient cases require Ginseng/Astragalus to tonify Yuan Qi; do not use insects.

Pediatricians sometimes use insects from Artemisia to treat convulsions, claiming efficacy. Ancient formulas rarely use this. *Baoying Ji* praises it, with a poem: "Half cinnabar, half snow, power lies in Artemisia joint; even death can be reversed, taken with living blood." Mixed with cinnabar powder, given with milk.

In winter, people stew cow's milk with wine. Xue Lizhang warned against mixing wine and milk, as wine curdles milk, making it hard to digest. Stewing heats the milk, forming curds, which is harmless. Prefect Hu Xiaoyuan drank milk in the morning, disliked the smell, and drank wine urgently,