即蠡鱼，俗名里鱼
甘寒无毒。
发明 鳢性伏土而能胜水。故治水肿，疗五痔，治湿痹，主香港脚。妊娠面浮脚肿者，
赤小豆煮食甚效。《丹方》治水肿腹大用活鳢鱼，去腹垢，入独颗蒜令满，外涂湿黄泥，炭
火炙食屡效。有疮者不可食，令瘢白。
甘平小毒。阔嘴者为鳗，尖嘴者为鲡。
发明 鳗鱼虽有毒。性能补虚益阴，久病劳瘵宜之。大便濡泄勿用。其功专在滋补真阴
，杀劳瘵虫，与蛇同类，故主治亦近之。
甘大温无毒。
发明 鳝鱼禀己土之气，能补中益血。妇人产后恶露淋沥，肠鸣湿痹并宜食之。曝干
灰存性，治老人虚痢。大鳝鱼重斤余者，能助势力，食后遍体疼胀尽力捶之。大力丸用熊筋
、虎骨、当归、人参等分为末，酒蒸大鳝鱼取肉捣烂为丸，每日空腹酒下两许，气力骤长。
鳝鱼血力能助阳，壮年阳道不长，育龟丸用之。方用石龙子、蛤蚧、生犀角、生附子、草乌
头、乳香、没药、血竭、细辛、黑芝麻、五倍子、阳起石等分为末，生鳝鱼血为丸，朱砂为
衣，每日空心酒下百丸。曾有人服此得以嗣续宗祧者，不可以房术论也。其尾血疗口眼 斜
，同麝香少许，右 涂左，左 涂右，正即洗去。其骨烧灰，香油调涂汤火甚效。
本名 鱼
甘温小毒。
发明 鱼无鳞而有甲，故俗名为着甲。江淮、黄河、辽海水深处皆有之。长二三丈
，逆上龙门能化为龙，味极肥美。但发气动风，和荞麦食令人失音。其肝味胜河豚，食之令
人血肤干脱，亦动风之验也。
This is the snakehead fish (Liyu), commonly known as Liyu.
Sweet, cold in nature, non-toxic.
Invention: The snakehead fish lurks in the soil yet can overcome water pathologies. Therefore, it treats edema (fluid retention swelling), cures five types of hemorrhoids, treats damp-bi syndrome (painful obstruction due to dampness), and primarily addresses Hong Kong foot (a term for beriberi or gout-like conditions). For pregnant women presenting with facial puffiness and foot swelling, boiling and eating this fish with Adzuki beans (Vigna angularis) is highly effective. *Dan Fang* prescribes live snakehead fish for treating abdominal distension due to edema: remove the internal viscera, fill the cavity with a single clove of garlic, coat externally with wet yellow mud, roast over charcoal fire, and eat; this has proven effective repeatedly. Those with sores should not consume it, as it may cause scars to turn white.
Sweet, neutral in nature, slightly toxic. The broad-mouthed variety is called Mianyu (Eel); the pointed-mouthed variety is called Liyu.
Invention: Although Mianyu possesses toxicity, its properties can tonify deficiency and nourish Yin essence, making it suitable for those suffering from chronic illness and consumptive diseases (laozai). It should be avoided by those with loose stools or diarrhea. Its efficacy lies specifically in nourishing True Yin and killing parasites associated with consumptive diseases. Being similar to snakes, its therapeutic indications are also comparable.
Sweet, very warm in nature, non-toxic.
Invention: Eel (Shanyu) inherits the Qi of Ji Earth, capable of tonifying the Middle Jiao and benefiting blood. It is suitable for consumption by women after childbirth experiencing lingering lochia, borborygmus (intestinal rumbling), and damp-bi syndrome. When dried and processed to retain its medicinal nature (charred but retaining essence), it treats deficiency-type dysentery in the elderly. Large eels weighing over one jin can enhance physical strength. After consumption, if one experiences generalized body pain and distension, vigorous massage or beating of the body is required. "Dali Wan" (Great Strength Pill) uses Bear tendon, Tiger bone, Angelica sinensis (Danggui), and Ginseng (Renshen) ground into powder in equal parts; large eels are steamed with wine, the meat extracted, pounded into a paste, and formed into pills. Taken daily on an empty stomach with wine (approx. 1 liang), physical strength increases rapidly. Eel blood powerfully assists Yang energy. For young men with underdeveloped genitalia, "Yugui Wan" (Turtle Nurturing Pill) is used. This formula consists of Shilongzi (Dragon Lizard), Gejie (Gecko), Raw Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao - note: use modern substitutes due to conservation laws), Raw Aconite (Fuzi), Caowutou (Aconitum kusnezoffii), Frankincense (Ruxiang), Myrrh (Moyao), Dragon's Blood (Xuexie), Asarum (Xixin), Black Sesame (Heizhima), Chinese Gallnut (Wubeizi), and Calcined Pyrite (Yangqishi) ground into powder in equal parts. Pills are formed using fresh eel blood and coated with Cinnabar (Zhusha). Taken daily on an empty stomach with wine (100 pills). There are records of individuals using this prescription to produce offspring; it should not be dismissed merely as sexual technique. The blood from the tail treats facial paralysis (deviation of mouth and eyes): apply mixed with a small amount of Musk (Shexiang) to the unaffected side (right deviation applied to left, left to right); wash off immediately once corrected. Bones charred to ash and mixed with sesame oil are highly effective for scalds and burns.
Originally named Bieyu (Soft-shelled turtle).
Sweet, warm in nature, slightly toxic.
Invention: The soft-shelled turtle lacks scales but has a shell, hence the common name "Zhuojia" (wearing armor). It is found in deep waters of the Jianghuai region, the Yellow River, and the Liao River. Reaching lengths of two to three zhang, it can swim upstream through the Dragon Gate and transform into a dragon; its taste is extremely rich and delicious. However, it tends to stir up wind pathogens. Consuming it with Buckwheat causes loss of voice. Its liver tastes superior to that of the pufferfish; consuming it leads to dry, peeling skin, which serves as evidence of its wind-stirring properties.