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[Li Gen Bai Pi (White Bark of Prunus Li Root)]
Bitter, slightly salty, cold in nature, non-toxic. Use after roasting.

[Invention/Commentary] *Yao Xing Lun* (Treatise on the Properties of Medicinals) states that the bark of the bitter plum root is used medicinally. However, Zhang Zhongjing, when treating Ben Tun Qi (Rushing Pig Gas), used the white bark of the sweet plum root in Ben Tun Wan. Li Shizhen suspected these were two different species, not realizing that when Zhang Zhongjing said "sweet," he referred to the sweetness of the plum fruit; when *Yao Xing Lun* said "bitter," it referred to the bitterness of the root. However, the purple plum root should be used, as it enters the blood aspect of the Jueyin channel. If the yellow plum root is used, it enters the qi aspect of the Yangming channel. *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians) records its use for treating Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting) and Ben Tun; *Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao* records its use for Chi Bai Li Xia (Dysentery with red and white discharge); *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) records burning it until carbonized but retaining its nature (Cun Xing) to apply externally for Xiao Er Dan Du (Infantile Erysipelas); Zhen Quan records its use for Xiao Ke and Hong Xiang Jiao (Hong Kong Foot/Foot Swelling); Meng Shen records its use for Fu Ren Chi Bai Dai Xia (Red and White Leukorrhea in Women). All these utilize its bitter and salty properties to descend rebellious Qi. The kernel of the plum pit is bitter and neutral, enters the Liver channel, treats traumatic blood stasis from falls and bone pain, clears Wind pathogen from the Blood Sea, promotes fertility, and is thus used in Cheng Ze Wan. Its nature disperses nodules, so it can detoxify Sulfur, Baimingshi (Quartz), and Fuzi (Aconite Root). Ground into powder and mixed with egg white for facial application, it detaches overnight, according to *Qianjin Fang*. *Huangdi Neijing* states that plums should not be eaten with white honey, as it corrodes the Five Viscera.

[Xing Ren (Apricot Seed)]
Acrid, sweet, warm in nature, slightly toxic. Soak in hot water, remove skin and tips, grind into a paste. Seeds with two kernels are toxic and harmful. Generally, fruits with six-petaled flowers necessarily have double kernels, possessing pure Yin Qi.

*Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) treats cough with rebellious Qi, roaring sounds in the throat, Hou Bi (Sore Throat/Glotitis), descending Qi, postpartum conditions, Jin Chuang (Metal Wounds/Traumatic Injuries), Han Xin (Cold Heart sensation), and Ben Tun.

[Invention/Commentary] Xing Ren enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Channel. Acridity allows it to move horizontally and disperse; bitterness allows it to move vertically and descend. Thus, it is a herb for dispersing blood, descending Qi, calming asthma, stopping diarrhea, dispersing nodules, warming and drying, and clearing Wind-Heat cough from the Lungs. This overall scope does not exceed the indications in *Shennong Bencao Jing*. *Qianjin Fang* uses child's urine to soak for seven days, then grinds into a paste to treat cough with alternating chills and fever. Zhang Zhongjing uses Xing Ren in Ma Huang Tang because it benefits Qi, drains the Lungs, and releases the muscle layer; in formulas like Xiong Bi Tang and Ma Ren Wan, it is roasted black and ground finely like oil, indicating that the darker it is roasted, the stronger its moistening and purgative action. For formulas treating Cold-Asthma-Rebellious Qi that involve dispersion, use the seed with the skin. It can also treat sores and kill parasites, utilizing its toxicity. *Shennong Bencao Jing*'s indication for Jin Chuang Han Xin implies that wind pathogens enter the Bao Luo (Pericardium Collaterals) through the wound site, causing cold sensation below the heart; applying it to seal the wound dispels Wind-Heat pathogens. Its ability to treat Ben Tun is due to acridity dispersing nodules and warmth descending Qi. Li Gao (Zi Yuan) stated it moistens the Large Intestine and treats Qi constipation, hence its description as resolving pathogenic toxins. *Mingyi Bielu* states it kills dog venom and, when roasted fragrant, resolves accumulation of dog meat and rice noodles; thus, it is used in Liu Shen Qu (Six Spirit Fermented Dough). Bian Que stated Xing Ren should not be taken long-term, as it causes hair loss on the face and body, verifying its Qi-consuming nature. Currently, some use it indiscriminately for Yin-Deficiency Asthma-Cough, which inadvertently depletes the Great Qi in the Chest, causing significant harm. Patients with blood loss are strictly contraindicated, as its acrid taste and warm nature strongly break blood. Double-kernel seeds, pounded and mixed with cartilage grease, can extract severed human flesh or arrowheads hidden in the throat or other concealed areas upon application. Badam Xing Ren (Almond) is sweet, neutral, non-toxic, calms cough, descends Qi, and resolves chest/abdominal fullness/rebellion. Apricot fruit is sour, damages sinews and bones, especially when raw.