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**Papaya (Chaenomeles speciosa / Chaenomelis Fructus)**: Sour in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic.

[Invention/Commentary] Papaya is sour and astringent, with a descending qi movement. The conditions it treats—such as cholera-like disorder with muscle cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and Hong Kong foot (podagra/swelling of the feet)—derive their efficacy from its ability to gather and restrain damp-heat in the Spleen and Stomach; this is not for treating Liver diseases. Although muscle cramps are associated with Wind-Wood affecting the Spleen, they are actually caused by damp-heat or cold-damp pathogens invading and damaging the Spleen and Stomach. Using Papaya regulates the Spleen to subdue the Liver (i.e., strengthening Earth to control Wood). Excessive consumption damages teeth and bones, which is clear evidence of its Liver-subduing nature. For those suffering from Head Wind (headache due to wind), placing fresh Papaya by the pillow helps dissipate Liver Wind, leading to gradual relief over time. For cases of weakness in the waist and knees due to deficiency of essence and blood or Yin insufficiency, as well as for those with food stagnation in the Spleen and Stomach, this sour-astringent property is contraindicated.

**Apple (Malus asiatica / Crataegi Fructus - Note: Text refers to Hawthorn/Shanzha here despite naming Lin Qin/Tangdi historically, context implies Shanzha/Hawthorn properties like digestion and blood stasis resolution. However, strictly translating the text provided which equates Tangdi with Shanzha):** Sweet, bitter, slightly sour, warm in nature, non-toxic. Removing the core prevents generating heat. Soaking in child's urine and stir-frying with ginger juice until black removes accumulated blood very rapidly.

[Invention/Commentary] Hawthorn enters the Blood aspect of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. It has a strong capacity to digest food accumulation. *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it is sour and cold; however, since its strength lies in eliminating meat accumulation and moving stagnant blood, its warm nature can be inferred. If taken by individuals without food accumulation in the Stomach, but with Spleen deficiency failing to transform and transport, resulting in loss of appetite, it will instead attack the vitalizing Qi of the Spleen and Stomach, which is highly inappropriate. Stir-fried until black, it treats postpartum pain caused by "Child Pillow" (lochia retention) because it dissolves blood stasis. Currently, for early-stage dysentery accompanied by fecal impaction, it is stir-fried with ginger juice; for treating inguinal hernia (pian zhui), it is made into a powder and taken with wine, showing effects within half a month, with the seeds being particularly effective. In cases of external contraction of Wind-Cold combined with dietary injury, the world generally combines exterior-releasing and digestion-promoting methods. Those with solid Middle Qi may luckily recover, but those with deficient Middle Qi often suffer from exterior pathogens sinking into the Fu organs due to deficiency, causing internal complications. Eating several pieces of Donglu Tangzi after drinking alcohol is beneficial; making it into a paste with sugar is especially excellent.

**Na (Malus prunifolia / Na Fruit)**: Commonly known as Pinpo. Sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic.

[Invention/Commentary] Na grows in the North and is of the same category but different species as the Southern Lin Qin. Although it has the ability to harmonize the Spleen, excessive consumption causes Lung congestion and abdominal distension; patients should particularly avoid eating it.

**Lin Qin (Malus spectabilis / Chinese Flowering Crabapple)**: Commonly known as Hua Hong. Astringent in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic.

[Invention/Commentary] Although Lin Qin does not damage the Spleen, excessive consumption causes fever due to its astringent taste and warm nature. Patients who enjoy eating it often experience disease recurrence or generate phlegm-saliva leading to cough and counterflow qi, caused by the obstruction of the airway. Its seeds, when consumed, are known to disturb the Heart-Mind and assist Fire.