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Taste is sweet, nature is neutral, non-toxic.

[Invention] The Dragon Horn inherits the Wood Qi of the East, and as it emerges from the Du Meridian (Governing Vessel), it is therefore used to treat epilepsy with convulsions, and restless spirit and soul. For conditions where Dragon Fire rebels upward causing body heat like fire, and for malevolent influences, it is used in Shen Shi Wu Xie Wan (Deep Master's Five Evils Pill). Additionally, *Qian Jin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) records its use combined with Dragon Teeth (Longgu) for treating Heart diseases.

Named Tu Yu (Alligator/Crocodile) in *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*.
Taste is sour, nature is slightly warm, slightly toxic.
*Shennong Ben Cao Jing* indicates it treats epigastric and abdominal masses (Zheng Jia), fixed hard accumulations, alternating cold and fever, drawing pain in the lower abdomen and yin region of women, metrorrhagia with five-colored discharge, and sores/itching with dead flesh.

[Invention] The indications for Tortoise Shell (Tuojia) in *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* mostly belong to the Jueyin Liver channel; its efficacy lies in pacifying Liver Wood. Its ability to resolve blood stasis and kill parasites is similar to Bie Jia (Trionycis Carapax et Scutatum), and it can also treat Yin Malaria. There is a Tuojia Jian (Decoction) in *Qian Jin Fang*, which is often displayed in modern pharmacies. It is said to repel bookworms, reflecting its insect-killing property.

Commonly known as Pangolin Scales (Chuanshanjia).
Taste is salty, nature is slightly cold, slightly toxic. Prepared by frying with butter (Su), or stir-frying with yellow earth, or stir-frying with clam powder until loose and brittle, then grinding. The scales from the tail are considered superior.

[Invention] Chuanshanjia enters the Jueyin, Yangming, and both Yin and Yang meridians. It unblocks collaterals and promotes lactation, serving as a key herb for treating malaria, carbuncles, swellings, and eruptive diseases. Since it dwells in burrows in mountains and feeds near water, emerging from Yin into Yang, it can penetrate collaterals and reach the disease site. For cases of Wind-Damp-Cold Bi syndrome caused by water-dampness, resulting in stiffness and inability to flex or extend throughout the body, unbearable pain can be treated by adding seven slices of Chuanshanjia and ten fried Quanxie (Scorpio) to Wu Ji San (Five Accumulations Powder), decocted with green onion and ginger, taken hot to induce sweating while avoiding wind, which is very effective. However, it should not be taken after abscesses have ulcerated.

Taste is salty, nature is warm, slightly toxic. *Ben Cao Gang Mu* states it is salty and cold, which is an error. Produced in Pingyang valleys, Jingxiang, etc. There are four types. One type grows among rocks, with a flat head and long body, tail equal to body length, 7-8 cun long, up to over 1 chi for large ones, resembling a snake. Those with paw prints like plum blossoms and colorful scales/eyes are male; those with yellow color and short bodies are female. This creature values its scales highly, remaining motionless when seen by humans and not biting when caught, due to its rocky habitat. Thus, *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* calls it Shilongzi (Stone Dragon), because it excels in transformation, swallowing haze and vomiting hail, embodying the principle of Yin-Yang change. Hence, *Zi Lin* calls it Xi Yi, people in Chu call it Rongyuan; they are actually the same substance. For medicinal use, both male and female are used; heads and feet are removed, soaked in wine, and prepared with butter frying. For treating Transmitted Corpse (Chuan Shi) consumption, vinegar-fried preparation is used. Another type grows in marshes, with a large head, short tail, thick body, and yellow-green color. When injured, it applies grass to itself, hence called Sheyi Mu (Snake Doctor Mother); it can enter water and mate with Stone Spotted Fish, hence also named Water Lizard, but is not used medicinally. Another type grows on house walls, small and slender, 3-4 cun long, brown with black spots, called Tingting, commonly known as Bihu (Wall Gecko) in Wu customs, because it lives on walls and catches scorpions and flies. Some say feeding it Cinnabar (Zhu Sha) and applying it to palace maids' arms gives it the name Shou Gong (Guarding Palace). Another resembles Shou Gong but has a round head and slender body, 5-6 cun long, white as silver, covered in fine scales. Male and female respond to each other's calls from above and below, mating only when affectionate; this is Gejie (Tokay Gecko). Found in Jingxiang and marshes, with those from Western Sichuan being best. Caught in pairs, bound with thread, dried, and rolled in Banyan bark. Clear distinction prevents misuse.

[Invention] Shilongzi is a Middle Grade herb in *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*, yet *Ben Cao Gang Mu*'s main indications cite *Bie Lu* (Additional Records) but lack *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* text. Was there a loss of text in *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*, or was the text mistakenly attributed to *Bie Lu*? It treats Wulong (five types of strangury) and evil stagnant Qi, benefits urination, and breaks stone strangury with blood discharge. This is because the lizard can vomit hail to pray for rain, thus treating strangury and benefiting water passages, reflecting its natural nature. *Qian Jin Fang* uses Xi Yi Wan (Lizard Pill) for mass-related edema and尸注 (Corpse Transmission) fluid retention; *Wai Tai Mi Yao* uses it in formulas for Yin Hernia, all utilizing its strength in promoting urination. Note: Xi Yi is indeed Shilong. In current sexual health medicines, it is used because it stimulates Yang without the drawback of astringency.