（本经中品）
木胎于火，与龙从火里得，别是一法，此正五行相袭，四时之序也。
【气味】酸平，无毒。
【主治】主心下邪气寒热，温中，逐寒湿痹，去三虫。久服轻身。
【核】曰∶生汉中山谷，及琅琊、冤句，今海州、兖州，近道诸山中亦有。木高一、二
丈，叶如梅而有刺。二月开花如杏。四月结实如酸枣，深赤色。一种叶干花实俱相似，但核
有八棱，名雀儿苏，别是一种，不堪入药。修治，以酒润去核，缓火熬干，勿误食核，令人
滑精。蓼实为之使。恶桔梗、防风、防己。
先人云∶酸温津润，合从水藏之精液亦非自力所能致，必欲待人待时而兴者。
【 】曰∶茱谐朱，谓木胎火，含阳于内也；萸谐臾，谓冤曲从乙，木之性也。春半开
花，夏半结实，色赤味酸，入肝之体，肝之心药也。心下为寒热所搏则火失暖热性，茱萸温
中，对待治之。痹逐虫去而身轻矣。客曰∶肝主疏泄，癃闭者当用茱萸。别录止小便利者，
何也？
（本经中品）
【气味】甘酸平，无毒。
【主治】主下水肿，排痈肿脓血。
【核】曰∶赤小豆，广雅称答。苏恭单称赤豆。叶曰藿。近世咸用赤黑相间之草实为赤
小豆者，谬甚矣。此豆以紧小而赤黯色者，入药最良，稍大而鲜红，及淡红色者，仅堪供食，
并不疗疾。俱于夏至后下种，苗科高尺许，枝叶似豇豆叶，微圆峭而小。至秋开花，亦似豇
豆花，淡银褐色而有腐气。荚长二、三寸，似绿豆荚而稍大，皮色微白带红。三青二黄时，
收之可食。入药用者，必须老赤也。
【 】曰∶豆为肾水之主谷，赤小者，又为肾之心物，水之用药矣。故主水用不行，致
作水肿及痈脓尔。别录广之治寒热，热中消渴者，以寒本之气，入通于肾，而病热标之，亦
肾气不周于胸，消渴引饮也。泄利癃闭，正水无用，腹满为枢机转阖，吐逆卒 ，为开阖两
持。仲景用赤小豆汤，疗伤寒瘀热在里，身必发黄之义，可默悟矣。
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Middle Category)
Cornus Officinalis (Shanzhuyu):
The tree conceives its embryo in Fire, sharing the principle with "the dragon obtained from within fire," representing a distinct method. This is precisely the succession of the Five Elements and the order of the four seasons.
[Flavor and Nature] Sour, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats evil qi causing cold and heat sensations below the heart; warms the middle jiao; expels cold-dampness bi syndrome; eliminates three types of parasites. Long-term consumption lightens the body.
[Commentary] It states: Grows in the valleys of Hanzhong, as well as in Langya and Yuanju. Currently found in Haizhou, Yanzhou, and mountains near these regions. The tree is one to two zhang high, leaves resemble plum leaves but have thorns. Flowers in the second lunar month like apricot blossoms. Bears fruit in the fourth lunar month resembling sour dates, deep red in color. There is a variety where leaves, trunk, flowers, and fruits are similar, but the seed has eight ridges, named Que'er Su, which is a different species and unsuitable for medicinal use. Processing: Moisten with wine, remove the seed, slowly dry over low heat. Do not mistakenly consume the seed, as it causes seminal emission. Liaoshi serves as its guiding herb. It is incompatible with Jiegeng, Fangfeng, and Fangji.
Ancestor stated: Sour, warm, and moistening, combining with the essence and fluid of the Water organ cannot be achieved by self-effort alone; it must await human intervention and the right timing to arise.
[Annotation] States: Zhu harmonizes with Zhu (vermilion), indicating the tree conceives in Fire, containing Yang within; Yu harmonizes with Yu (bending), indicating bending conforms to Yi Wood, which is the nature of Wood. Flowers at mid-spring, bears fruit at mid-summer, red in color and sour in taste, enters the substance of the Liver, serving as medicine for the Heart. When cold and heat contend below the heart, causing Fire to lose its warming nature, Shanzhuyu warms the middle to treat this condition. Once Bi syndrome is expelled and parasites removed, the body becomes light. A guest asked: The Liver governs free flow and drainage; patients with longbi (dysuria/urinary retention) should use Cornus. Why does the Mingyi Bie Lu only mention promoting urination?
Adzuki Bean (Chixiaodou):
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Middle Category)
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, sour, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats water swelling (edema); drains pus and blood from carbuncles and swellings.
[Commentary] It states: Chixiaodou is called Da in Guangya. Sugong refers to it simply as Chi Dou. The leaf is called Huo. In recent times, people commonly mistake grass seeds that are intermixed red and black for Chixiaodou, which is a serious error. For this bean, those that are tight, small, and dark red are best for medicinal use. Those that are slightly larger and bright red, or pale red, are only suitable for food and do not treat diseases. Sowing occurs after the Summer Solstice. The stalk is about one chi high; leaves and branches resemble Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) leaves, slightly round and sharp. Flowers in autumn, resembling cowpea flowers, pale silver-brown with a putrid odor. Pods are two to three cun long, resembling Mung bean pods but slightly larger, skin color pale white with a hint of red. Harvest when three parts green and two parts yellow for edible use. For medicinal use, they must be fully mature and red.
[Annotation] States: Beans are the primary grain of Kidney Water. The red and small variety is the "Heart object" of the Kidney, used for water disorders. Thus, it primarily treats stagnation of water metabolism, leading to edema and abscesses/pus. The Mingyi Bie Lu expands its indications to treat cold-heat conditions, heat in the middle, and xiaoke (wasting-thirst). This is because cold originates from Qi entering through the Kidney, while the pathological heat manifestation indicates Kidney Qi failing to circulate through the chest, leading to thirst and excessive drinking. For diarrhea/dysentery and dysuria, it is ineffective for proper water regulation. Abdominal fullness relates to the pivot mechanism's opening and closing. Sudden vomiting and retching involve holding both opening and closing forces. Zhang Zhongjing uses Chixiaodou Decoction to treat Shaoyang disease with stagnant heat inside, where the body inevitably turns yellow; this meaning can be silently comprehended.