Library

Guang Jiao (Calf-skin Glue from Guangdong).
Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

[Invention/Commentary] Ming Jiao (Clarified Calf-skin Glue) treats hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), hematochezia (blood in stool), bloody strangury (dysuria with blood), and bloody dysentery. It also treats lower bleeding caused by fetal restlessness during pregnancy, pain from wind-dampness wandering through the channels, traumatic injuries, scalds, burns, and all types of carbuncles, sores, swelling, and toxins. It invigorates blood, relieves pain, moistens dryness, and promotes the free flow of the large and small intestines. These effects are attributed to its nourishing and benefiting properties without the adverse effect of causing slippery diarrhea.

Bitter, neutral, slightly toxic. Method for testing authenticity: rub until the nail shines; if the substance is light in weight, fragrant in odor, tastes bitter first then sweet on the tongue, and produces a cooling sensation penetrating the heart, it is genuine. Obtained by forcing the cow is called "Sheng Shen Huang" (Raw Divine Yellow); those that are round and smooth, with blood streaks on the exterior and many layers of tender yellow, are of superior quality. Those obtained after slaughter are round but flat at the base, which is inferior. Those found in the horn are called "Jiao Huang" (Horn Yellow); those peeled from the heart are called "Xin Huang" (Heart Yellow); those obtained from the gallbladder are called "Dan Huang" (Gallbladder Yellow), which are of even lower quality. Those produced in Western Regions are called "Xi Huang" (Western Yellow); those produced in Guangdong are called "Guang Huang" (Guangdong Yellow).
The *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states it governs fright-epilepsy, alternating cold and heat, mania and spasms due to excessive heat, and expelling evil spirits.

[Invention/Commentary] Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis) is a pathological product of the cow. Because the pathogenic factor condenses into calculus between the Heart and Liver/Gallbladder, it consequently treats diseases of the Heart and Liver/Gallbladder. The conditions treated by the *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing*, such as fright-epilepsy, alternating cold and heat, mania, spasms, and evil spirits, are all caused by phlegm-heat. Its efficacy lies primarily in clearing the Heart, resolving heat, draining phlegm, cooling the Liver to calm fright, calming the spirit, and warding off malignancy. Therefore, Qing Xin Niu Huang Wan (Clear the Heart Calculus Bovis Pill) uses it as the sovereign herb. If wind-pathogen directly strikes the Heart, it must be used; however, if the wind-pathogen only affects the meridians or viscera (excluding the Heart proper), misuse will draw the pathogen deeper inward, like oil penetrating flour, making it inseparable. Thus, careful examination is required before use.

Sweet and bitter, warm, slightly toxic. Resembles white stone with a slight greenish tint; when shattered, the texture resembles insect trails, and if it looks like white wax, it is genuine.

[Invention/Commentary] Gou Bao (Dog Gallstone) specifically treats yige (dysphagia/regurgitation) and fanwei (regurgitation of undigested food). It utilizes the descending property of bitterness and the resolving property of warmth. I have extended its applications. It can be used for any case where carbuncles and ulcers fail to heal, or for mania and accumulation of cold-phlegm. However, for patients suffering from spleen injury due to constraint and with withered qi and blood, misuse will lead to disaster akin to carrying firewood to extinguish a fire.

Pungent, warm, toxic. Genuine ones are slightly black in color.

[Invention/Commentary] The lion is the king of beasts, with a nature most difficult to tame; one roar causes all other beasts to retreat. The *Erya* states it eats tigers, leopards, and bears. Ancient texts claim its milk turns water-like when mixed with the milk of cattle, sheep, or horses. People from the Western Regions capture lions, extract their oil for tribute, used by palace maids to wash stains from clothes. It can also remove ink marks from paper; scraping a small amount, placing it over the paper, and ironing it removes the ink immediately. I have tried using it; although dirt is removed, clothes are easily damaged, and paper becomes brittle, so it is only suitable for temporary use. Although it is a local specialty, it is rarely used in prescriptions. In recent times, physicians use it to treat yige (dysphagia). This is likely because yige is caused by constrained phlegm and blood stasis accumulation; using it aims to cleanse these deposits, and trials often show efficacy. Consequently, practitioners compete to regard it as a rare wonder. However, its nature is extremely fierce and potent, capable of inducing abortion, so pregnant women must avoid it. Elephant oil can also remove dirt and resolve phlegm, but it cannot remove ink marks.