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Taste: sweet, sour; Nature: warm; Toxicity: non-toxic.

[Invention/Commentary] Yangmei (Chinese bayberry) is a fruit of the Heart blood level, and also enters the Liver, Spleen, and Pericardium channels. It can quench thirst and relieve irritability. When burned to ash, it stops dysentery; when preserved in salt, it stops hiccups and vomiting, and resolves alcohol intoxication. However, individuals with blood heat and excessive fire should not consume it in excess, as it may disturb the blood in the collaterals and cause epistaxis. Although its nature is warm, it can treat heat stagnation according to the disease's trend and resolve toxicity. Decoction of its root bark can resolve arsenic poisoning; when burned to ash and mixed with oil for topical application, it treats burns and scalds. The kernel treats Hong Kong foot (podagra/tinea pedis with swelling and ulceration), but requires large doses. If mixed with persimmon lacquer and exposed to the sun, the kernels will naturally split open.

Also known as Hantao (Cherry).
Taste: sweet; Nature: hot; Toxicity: slightly toxic.

[Invention/Commentary] Cherries belong to Fire and tend to generate damp-heat. For those with pre-existing febrile diseases or wheezing cough, consumption leads to immediate exacerbation. A smaller variety is called Mountain Cherry (Shan Yingtao), which has a sweet and neutral nature without generating heat. It can stop intestinal slipping and seminal emission. Is it because its form is unremarkable that it is harmless to eat? Its pit is currently used by people to promote the eruption of smallpox/rashes; its power assists Fire, which is highly inappropriate, especially taboo during spring and summer.

Commonly known as Baiguo (Ginkgo nut).
Taste: sweet, bitter; Nature: neutral; Flavor: astringent; Toxicity: non-toxic.

[Invention/Commentary] Ginkgo is used in formulas for stabilizing asthma. Chewing raw stops leukorrhea, descends phlegm, detoxifies, and kills parasites. Applied to the nose, face, hands, and feet, it removes dark spots. Raw and pounded can wash away grease; when pounded with water into a paste for clothing, it kills lice. Its ability to resolve phlegm and cleanse filth can be inferred from these examples. When cooked, it obstructs and closes the Qi; excessive consumption causes abdominal distension, fullness, and dizziness. In the past, a starving person ate too many at dusk and suffered severe distension and suffocation the next day, nearly dying. They were saved only after being induced to vomit urgently with goose feather dipped in sesame oil.灌ing fecal urine could also save them, utilizing its descending and purging properties.

Also known as Hetao (Walnut), or Qiangtao.
Taste: sweet; Nature: neutral, warm; Toxicity: non-toxic. Used in medicine with the skin included.

[Invention/Commentary] Buguzhi (Psoralea corylifolia) belongs to Fire and facilitates communication between the Fire of the Pericardium and the Fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Life). Hetao (Walnut) belongs to Water, moistens dryness, and nourishes blood. When assisting Buguzhi, it creates the wonder of Water and Fire generating each other. Walnut meat enters the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), while the outer green-black juice indicates its ability to unblock the Mingmen and assist the Ministerial Fire. Combined with Buguzhi, Duzhong (Eucommia bark), and Qingyan (Green Salt), it forms Qing'e Wan (Blue Bird Pill), treating Kidney deficiency lower back pain due to its Kidney-nourishing property. Combined with Renshen (Ginseng), it forms Yingmeng San (Dream-Granting Powder), treating Lung cold with wheezing and cough due to its ability to astringe the Lung. Chewing with fresh Ginger also treats cold-phlegm wheezing. However, excessive consumption generates wind and causes eyebrow loss. Detailed examination shows that chewing finely with copper coins causes the copper to dissolve, and chewing with sugarcane causes the cane residue to melt, indicating its capacity to consume Lung Qi and scorchen Liver Yin. *Danfang* (Formulas of Alchemy) uses the inner seed skin burned until black, mixed with Pine resin, applied topically to treat scrofula (Luo Li). Also, walnut meat with skin combined with Beimu (Fritillaria) and Quanxie (Scorpion) in equal numbers, made into honey pills, treats rat-hole phlegm nodules (Shu Lu Tan He), primarily to unblock stagnation. However, those with Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs or blazing Fire in the Mingmen should avoid it. The shell burned to ash while retaining its nature treats Ru Yong (Mastitis). Take two qian of the ash powder, mix with wine, and ingest; if not yet swollen, it dissipates; if already ulcerated, it gradually heals. However, do not use its smoke to fumigate clothes, as this damages the fabric. Green walnut skin applied to facial hair turns it black.