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[Shizhuyu (Cornus officinalis fruit / Dogwood Fruit)]
Pungent and bitter, greatly warm, toxic.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states it governs evil qi and cold-heat conditions in the epigastrium, warms the middle jiao to expel cold-damp bi obstruction, eliminates three types of parasites, and long-term consumption leads to a light body.
[Invention/Commentary] Shizhuyu is similar in nature and flavor to Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit), and their functions are comparable. However, the text from the *Bencao Jing* has historically been misplaced within the entry for Shanzhuyu (Cornus Officinalis Fruit).
Detailed analysis shows that governing "cold-heat in the epigastrium" refers to Meng Shen's description of treating cold pain in the heart and abdomen; "warming the middle to expel cold-damp bi" refers to treating Zhong'e (sudden affliction by foul pathogens) causing coldness in the zang-fu organs; "eliminating three parasites" refers to treating Zangqi Gu Du (visceral parasite poison) and Feishi Gu Du (flying corpse parasite poison). Although it is a common food item, its pungent and aromatic nature aids yang qi and can dispel the stagnation of turbid yin, hence the metaphor of "lightening the body." Can Shanzhuyu achieve these aforementioned therapeutic effects? When used to treat leukorrhea and cold dysentery, to warm the stomach and dry dampness, and for edema due to water qi, its efficacy is similar to Wuzhuyu but slightly weaker. Excessive consumption induces eye fire; those with eye pain should avoid it.

[Ming (Tea)]
Bitter and sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic. Avoid consuming with Biba (Schisandra Fructus / Bitter Pepper - *Note: Contextually likely referring to Piper longum or similar acrid herbs, often translated as Long Pepper or Schisandra depending on specific lineage, here Biba usually refers to Bibajiao*), Weilingxian (Clematis Root), and Tufuling (Smilax Glabra Rhizome).
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it governs sores and ulcers, promotes urination, eliminates phlegm-heat, and stops thirst. It causes reduced sleep, increases strength, and pleases the mind.
[Invention/Commentary] Ming is the coarse variety of tea. Its bitter and cold nature makes it most effective at descending fire and resolving phlegm, opening depression and promoting qi circulation, with the fastest downward-moving action. The *Bencao Jing* records it governing sores, promoting urination, and eliminating phlegm-heat disorders. However, excessive drinking leads to insomnia because its qi is clear and light. In terms of digesting food and stopping thirst, nothing surpasses it. Combined with vinegar, it treats diarrhea caused by summerheat injury. Combined with ginger, it treats dysentery with red and white discharge. Combined with Xiangchi (Prepared Soybean), scallion white, and fresh ginger, it treats fever and headache caused by epidemic qi. Used alone in strong decoction, it treats wind-phlegm. There are many tea-producing regions; only that from Yangxian is called true tea. All teas can descend fire and clear the head and eyes. Aged tea is called Lacha (Winter Tea) because it passes through winter and the twelfth lunar month. Combined with Liu Jinu (Artemisia Annua Herb / Sweet Wormwood), it is most effective for treating hematochezia. Tea from Anhui is called Songluo, specialized in digesting food. Tea from Shaoxing, Zhejiang, is called Rinzhu, specialized in clearing fire. Tea from Fujian is called Jiancha, specialized in dispelling miasma. Tea from Liuhe is called Kuding, specialized in stopping dysentery. Tea from southern Yunnan is called Pu'er Tea, possessing combined functions of digesting food, dispelling miasma, and stopping dysentery. Tea from Mengshan is rare in the world; in recent times, people often use moss from rocks to substitute it, misleading people severely. Other miscellaneous teas are bitter and cold, damaging stomach qi. People with weak stomach qi and blood deficiency who develop an addiction to tea will, over time, damage their essence. Blood fails to nourish the complexion, leading to sallow, emaciated, and weak appearance, vomiting, retching, and profuse diarrhea; all these are harms caused by tea. Drinking tea early in the morning often damages kidney qi. Craving tea after alcohol consumption often leads to tea addiction. Furthermore, new tea causes unclear voice because it can suppress and obstruct fire pathogenic factors. Those with cold and slippery essence/qi, prone to easy leakage upon contact, should not consume it; instead, they should use Shyuan Jili (Astragalus Complanatus Seed / Barbary Wolfberry Seed) decocted as soup as a substitute. Tea seeds are bitter and have a stern qi, good at descending fire, and specifically treat tinnitus/head ringing and Tianbaiyi disease (a type of parasitic infection or condition). People in Jiangxi often use them for oil pressing; the taste is very fragrant, and oil-infused hair washing is best. Boiling tea seed cakes and using the juice to water flowers repels earthworms in pots. Decocting soup to wash clothes removes dirt without fading colors. This is entirely due to taking advantage of its light, clear quality that does not stick or stagnate.