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Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed): Sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic. After steaming and sun-drying, it cracks open naturally; for medicinal use, it should be stir-fried and ground. Those that are yellowish, oily, and translucent should not be used.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states that it treats palpitations and fright, benefits Qi, dispels wind-dampness, and calms the five Zang organs. Long-term consumption makes the body lustrous and complexion beautiful, ears and eyes sharp and clear, prevents hunger and aging, lightens the body, and prolongs life.

Invention (Later Medical Elucidations): Bai Zi Ren is neutral in nature and tonifying, sweet in taste with a pungent quality. Its aroma is fresh and clear, capable of connecting the Heart and Kidney, and benefiting the Spleen and Stomach, making it suitable for nourishing formulations. When *Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions dispelling wind-dampness, it is due to its dry nature. *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians) records treating mental confusion and severe pain/heaviness in the waist associated with Li Jie syndrome (painful obstruction of joints), which corresponds to the treatment of palpitations and dispelling wind-dampness mentioned in *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Miao Xiyong in *Bencao Jing Shu* (Elucidation of the Materia Medica) argued that the efficacy of dispelling wind-dampness bi-syndrome cannot be achieved by moistening herbs, suggesting this might be the function of the leaf. However, he failed to realize that although its substance is moist, its nature is actually dry; no aromatic herb lacks a drying nature. Li Dongyuan considered it a herb entering the Liver channel Qi level. Li Shizhen stated it nourishes Heart Qi, moistens Kidney dryness, calms the Hun (Ethereal Soul) and Po (Corporeal Soul), enhances wisdom, and pacifies the Spirit, which aligns with the "calming the five Zang organs" described in *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Ancients avoided using it for patients with excessive phlegm because its oiliness causes diarrhea, failing to understand that its dry nature does not damage the Middle Jiao or generate sticky phlegm. Long-term use often leads to dry stool constipation because its aromatic quality moves Qi without benefiting Blood.

Bai Ye (Biota Leaf/Branches): Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic. Use after soaking in wine and baking.

Invention: Bai Ye is cold in nature and drying, strongly damaging to Stomach Qi. Although it has hemostatic effects, it lacks the power to generate Yang; therefore, it is unsuitable for those who have lost blood or are constitutionally deficient to take arbitrarily. However, the synergy of herbal combinations significantly alters the balance of efficacy and side effects. For instance, in *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet), Bai Ye Tang combined with Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) and Ai Ye (Mugwort Leaf) treats persistent vomiting of blood, avoiding such concerns. In contrast, *Ji Ji Fang* (Urgent Aid Formulas) combines it with Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) to treat hematuria, and *Sheng Ji Zong Lu* (General Records of Saving Lives) combines it with Shao Yao (Peony Root) to treat continuous menstruation. Even relying on the acrid-warm nature of wine to promote the bitter-cold action, the wine's power dissipates easily while the bitter-cold nature remains long, often leading to reduced appetite and diarrhea, and failure to disperse blood stasis. Is this the fault of Bai Ye? The firm and tough branches of the Biota tree can be boiled for juice or brewed into wine to dispel wind-bi and Li Jie wind-syndrome. Burning the leaves to extract oil treats sores, scabies, and leprosy. Bai Zhi (Biota Resin) treats warts on the body and face; when mixed evenly with Song Zhi (Pine Resin) and applied, they fall off naturally after a few days. The white bark of the root, mixed with pig fat from the twelfth lunar month, applied to burns and scalds, cools Blood and promotes hair growth.