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[Gecko (Shou Gong)]
Also known as Ting, commonly called gecko.
Salty and cold in nature, with slight toxicity.

Invention: The gecko feeds on scorpions and centipedes, which are key herbs for treating wind disorders. A detailed examination of the various diseases treated by the gecko, such as "wind accumulation" (Feng Zhu) and "convulsions and epilepsy" (Jing Xian), reveals that its performance is similar to that of the centipede, capable of penetrating meridians and collaterals; furthermore, it enters the blood level, thus also treating blood diseases and sores/ulcers. It uses toxicity to attack toxicity, all deriving from the meaning of its tail's agility. The "Moving Pox Formula" from Macheng treats cases where pox appear on the eyes, face, or are densely clustered on the front, using this method to move the pox to non-vital areas, achieving the most rapid effect. Observing that practitioners grind the gecko's tail into fine powder and sprinkle it on cooked meat, causing the meat to twitch and move, one might surmise that the Moving Pox Formula was inspired by this phenomenon. Tao Hongjing stated: "Ting likes to climb fences and walls. If fed cinnabar until it weighs three jin, then killed, dried, and powdered, and applied to a woman's arm, it will fall off upon sexual intercourse, hence the name 'Shou Gong' (Guarding Palace)." Su Gong said: "The claim of applying cinnabar to a woman's arm is a fallacy." Zhang Hua said: "There must be another secret technique, which is now lost." Li Shizhen said: "The gecko dispels wind, while the dragon lizard (Shi Long Zi) promotes urination; their functions are distinct and should not be confused."

[Gekko (Ge Jie)]
Sweet and salty in taste, warm in nature, with slight toxicity. Those found between banyan trees on city walls in Lingnan and in Hengzhou, western Guangdong, are seven to eight inches long. Those produced in Sichuan do not exceed five inches. They have round heads, plump bodies, and small, dense scales, resembling the gecko. When they call, they respond to each other up and down; males and females correspond, mating only when affectionate. After copulating, they embrace each other and fall to the ground. People can catch them without their awareness. Even if split open by hand, they remain closed until death. Dried after sun exposure, they are an important herb for sexual health practices. Even those caught ordinarily have similar efficacy. Authenticity is confirmed if they are intact pairs curled within banyan tree bark. For medicinal use, remove the head and retain the tail, frying with butter/oil. If a live specimen holds a small amount in its mouth and runs swiftly without panting, it verifies its qi-tonifying property.

Invention: Ge Jie tastes salty and enters the Kidney Meridian; its warm nature assists the Gate of Vitality (Ming Men). Its white color tonifies Lung Qi. Its function combines the effects of Ginseng and mutton. In treating conditions such as deficiency exhaustion, flaccidity and weakness, wasting-thirst (Xiao Ke), wheezing and coughing, and lung abscess with foamy sputum, it specifically utilizes the energy derived from the mating of kidneys and lungs, surpassing all others. I observe: Both Ge Jie and Long Zi (Gecko) have warm, tonic, and yang-assisting properties. However, pharmacies worldwide confuse and mix them indiscriminately, and physicians fail to distinguish them. Long Zi, when剖开 (split open), resembles skin and has many red spots on its body; it偏向 (leans towards) assisting vigorous fire and is suitable for those with impotence. Ge Jie is bound in pairs, covered entirely in white scales, and specifically warms Lung Qi, making it suitable for those with Qi deficiency, wheezing, and fatigue. This follows the principle of "tonifying the mother when there is deficiency."