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Dongsheng Jisheng (Parasitic Fungus on Mulberry)
Sweet, neutral in nature, and toxic. Also known as Sang E, Sang Ji, Sang Huang, and Sang Chen.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states that the black variety treats leukorrhea with bleeding in women; the red variety treats blood stasis forming masses (zheng jia), genital pain, genital ulcers, alternating chills and fever, and infertility.
Invention (Post-classical elaboration): Sang Er (Auricularia auricula-judae growing on mulberry) is cool and moistening, good at dispelling wind-heat from the uterus. It not only treats leukorrhea with bleeding but also alternates chills and fever and mass accumulation. Once the masses are eliminated, conception is not difficult. *Shennong Bencao Jing* specifically selects the black variety to reach the Kidney, and the red variety to enter the Liver, embodying the mechanism of storing tonification within purgation and storing purgation within tonification, which is evident beyond the words. The yellow, ripe, and aged white varieties stop chronic diarrhea and benefit Qi; the golden variety treats phlegm-fluid retention (pi yin) and mass accumulation, as well as intestinal wind bloody stool, epistaxis, five types of hemorrhoidal bleeding, blood bi with deficiency and fatigue, throat obstruction pain, and all blood disorders are suitable for its use. Huai Er (fungal growth on locust trees) treats five types of hemorrhoids with prolapse. Liu Er (fungal growth on willow trees) treats regurgitation and vomiting of phlegm. Zhe Er (fungal growth on torreya trees) treats lung abscess with coughing up pus and blood, usable regardless of whether it has formed pus or not.

Xiang Xun (Fragrant Mushroom / Oyster Mushroom)
Sweet, neutral in nature, and non-toxic.
Invention: Various mushrooms inherit the hot toxicity of the earth to float and grow, thus possessing toxicity that harms humans. Only Xiang Xun, cultivated on Nanmu wood using glutinous rice, greatly benefits Stomach Qi. Its nature and flavor are similar to Mo Gu Ji (a type of mushroom). Mo Gu is also grown by burying mulberry and paper mulberry woods in the soil and irrigating with rice wash water. Those that grow large, are white in color, soft, hollow, and shaped like chicken legs are named Jitui Mo Gu. Those shaped like sheep's tripe with honeycomb pores are named Yangdu Cai. Produced in Yunnan, growing in sandy areas with high stems and umbrella caps, called Jizong, all can benefit the Stomach and clear the Spirit. Mo Gu additionally resolves phlegm; Jizong additionally treats hemorrhoids. One derives residual moisture from mulberry and paper mulberry, while the other concentrates the spiritual energy of mountains and rivers; hence their natures differ.

Tu Xun (Wild Mushrooms/Fungi)
Sweet, cold in nature, and toxic.
Invention: Found in mountains everywhere, they grow due to the humid and steaming qi of mountain mists, strongly promoting damp-heat. Overconsumption causes abdominal pain and cranial distension, or induces phlegm-Qi regurgitation and vomiting. If harvested in early spring before hibernating insects awaken, the toxicity is shallow; during summer and autumn when damp-heat prevails, the toxic pathogen is especially severe, as they often contain toxins resembling those of snakes and vipers. Even those growing on rotting logs, except for those on Locust, Elm, Pine, Willow, Fir, Mulberry, and Reed roots, should be consumed with caution. However, those that have aged, produced worms, and turned bitter are unsuitable for consumption. Others such as Gleditsia sinensis, Bitter Bamboo, and Imperata cylindrica rhizomes possess slight toxicity when fresh; excessive consumption easily triggers sores and scabies. Those growing on Maple trees, if ingested, allow toxin to attack the Pericardium, causing uncontrollable laughter; urgent treatment requires bitter tea, earth slurry, or raw alum powder dissolved in newly drawn well water. Among edible fungi, Lei Jing Jun (Thunder-struck Mushroom) is recommended first, followed by Tang Jun and Songhua Jun, which are extremely delicious. Those tasting bitter or spicy are toxic and must never be eaten. As for those that are smooth, white as silver, glowing at midnight, hairy on top, textureless below, without folds at the base, curling upward with a reddish hue, nearly rotten but worm-free, turning water black upon washing, and refusing to cook thoroughly, all possess great toxicity harming humans. Poisoned individuals can only be saved by earth slurry feces. It was once heard that someone obtained a large mushroom, smooth and attractive, placed in a bottle, killing flies and mosquitoes upon contact. Investigation revealed it came from an ancient tomb cavity, undoubtedly possessing extreme toxicity akin to fossilized Araucaria. Nowadays, people boiling mushrooms often place silver ornaments and rush grass in the pot; if the silver turns black, it indicates toxicity. Recently, deaths from eating mushrooms are comparable to pufferfish poisoning; this is hereby highlighted for warning.