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[Magnolia Flower] (Magnoliae Flos)
Taste: bitter. Nature: cold. Toxicity: non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats severe heat accumulated in the skin, removes facial heat and redness, rhinophyma (rosacea), aversion to wind, leprosy (lepromatous diseases), itching and dampness of the genital area, edema, and foul odor. Alternative names: Linlan (Forest Orchid), Dulan. The bark resembles Cinnamomi Cortex (Guizhi) but is fragrant. Grows in the valleys of Lingling; processed by drying.
Lingling has them everywhere; they resemble Nanmu trees, with very thin bark that tastes pungent and fragrant. Currently found in Yizhou, the bark is thicker, resembling Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo), but superior in aroma.
Therefore, people in the East often use Shan Gui Pi (Mountain Cinnamon Bark) as a substitute, which is also similar. It is suitable for Taoists to blend into incense.
[Note] Magnolia leaves resemble Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi) leaves; their taste is pungent and fragrant, though less so than Cinnamon.

[Elm Bark] (Ulmi Cortex)
Taste: sweet. Nature: neutral. Toxicity: non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats constipation of both large and small intestines, promotes urination, dispels pathogenic factors, clears pathogenic heat from the stomach and intestines, reduces swelling. Its nature is slippery and lubricating. Long-term consumption lightens the body and suppresses hunger; its fruit is particularly effective. Treats infantile scalp crusted sores. The flowers treat infantile epilepsy, difficult urination, and heat injury. Alternative name: Lingyu. Grows in the valleys of certain rivers. Harvest the bark in February, scrape off the white part, and dry it in the sun. Harvest the fruits in August, ensuring they do not get wet, as moisture harms the user.
This is the modern Elm tree. Peel the bark, scrape off the outer reddish layer, and it can be used immediately. Its nature is extremely slippery and lubricating. The newly sprouted leaves are made into porridge or soup by people, inducing sleep. As Ji Gong said: "Elm induces drowsiness." During grain-abstaining practices, powdered bark mixed with Pruni Cortex (Tanpi) is consumed to prevent hunger.
[Note] Elm fruits ripen in March and fall shortly after. The claim of harvesting fruits in August in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* is likely erroneous.

[Ziziphus Jujuba Seed / Sour Date Kernel] (Suanzaoren)
Taste: sour. Nature: neutral. Toxicity: non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats alternating cold and heat in the heart and abdomen, qi stagnation due to pathogenic factors, soreness and pain with damp-bi in the four limbs, vexation and insomnia, pain above and below the umbilicus, and blood reflux. Benefits liver qi, strengthens sinews and bones, assists yin qi, makes the body robust and strong. Long-term consumption calms the five zang organs, lightens the body, and prolongs life.
Grows in the river marshes of Hedong. Harvest fruits in August, shade-dry for thirty days.
Incompatible with Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix (Fangji). Currently produced in the eastern mountains, said to be seeds of the wild jujube tree. The seeds resemble Wuchang dates but are extremely sour. People in the East eat them to refresh themselves, which contradicts its indication for treating insomnia.
[Note] This refers to the fruit of the Ziziphus jujuba tree. The tree is large like the common date, and the fruit has no fixed shape, specifically referring to the sour varieties within jujubes. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* only mentions using the fruit to treat insomnia, not the kernel. Current prescriptions use the kernel, which tonifies the middle and benefits qi. From tonifying the middle and benefiting the liver downwards, these are the functions of Suanzaoren (Sour Date Kernel). Furthermore, in the lower grade section regarding Baijiti (Spina Gleditsiae), it states using the fruit. Modern physicians mistakenly identify Spina Gleditsiae fruits as Sour Dates, which is a significant error.