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[Shennong Bencao Jing, Middle Grade]
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats blood stasis (Yu Xue), amenorrhea due to blood obstruction (Xue Bi), abdominal masses (Zheng Jia), pathogenic factors (Xie Qi), and kills small parasites. Peach blossoms can eliminate Zhu Qi (wandering pestilence) and evil spirits, improving complexion. Tao Xiao (dried fruit on old peach trees) has a slightly warm nature.

[Core] Commentary: There are many varieties of peaches, with those having magnificent and gorgeous flowers being the most renowned. They grow luxuriantly without cultivation and bear fruit early, leading the world to regard them as common varieties. However, there are yellow ones, crimson ones with drooping filaments, dragon-scale textured ones, cake-shaped ones, and peony-flowered ones; these are also anomalies among common varieties. As for the Xiang Tao, Zi Wen Tao, Jin Cheng Tao, and Shuang Tao in the Shanglin Park of the Han Dynasty, or the giant walnuts presented by Changshan, which bloom brilliantly against frost and bear fruit after the summer heat, these are distinctly different from the mortal realm and unattainable. Only the wild hairy peach found in mountains, known as "Chi Tao" in the *Erya*, is small and hairy, with kernels that are full and rich in oil, suitable for medicinal use. For processing, remove the skin, boil with Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and Wudou (Black Soybean) in a crucible for two "Fu" periods (approximately 48 hours), drain, split open; when the center turns golden yellow, it is ready for use.
(The *Piya* states: Peaches, especially those with abundant blooms, have an early flowering nature. Blooming in mid-spring, they are used in the *Zhou Nan* section of the *Classic of Poetry* to symbolize women at the appropriate age for marriage. A peach tree bears flowers and fruit within three years, so even if one's hair turns white, the benefit of its flowers and fruit can still be anticipated. The *Zhou Nan* uses young peach trees as a metaphor, referring to "Tao Zhi Yao Yao". The first chapter says "Zhuo Zhuo Qi Hua", describing the flowers as red and beautiful, implying women marry in their prime. The second chapter mentions "You Qi Shi", where "Shi" implies abundance; peaches tend to age after seven or eight years, becoming old and producing smaller fruits, thus referring to young peaches. It means not only is the floral beauty present, but bearing children after marriage completes the marital bond. The third chapter says "Qi Ye Zhen Zhen", meaning lush leaves, indicating the ability to establish a family and shelter descendants. Peach trees typically produce flowers and leaves simultaneously, and only after bearing fruit do the leaves become lush, following this sequence.)
(Zheng Jian Zhang wrote: Ten thousand trees like brocade, thousand forests like wings, moss painted like wave patterns, flowers igniting tree colors, emitting the unrestrained spirit of Qin sources, drifting with the fragrance of Han ribbons, resembling night candles in orchid lamps, or morning makeup before bright mirrors.)
(Pi Rixiu wrote: How fragrant are these flowers, how abundant their beauty; they lead all fragrances, adorning the harmony of Yang; breaking tender calyxes, weighing down soft branches; their color neither pale nor deep, like white silk lightly dyed with madder, like a beauty's half-intoxicated face. At times of beautiful scenery and vibrant spring moisture; dense as if no gaps,繁茂 as if no branches; graceful and youthful, happy and harmonious, some hanging low as if thinking, some idle as if dazed, some facing forward as if walking, some leaning as if tired, some warm and fragrant enough to perfume, some... impossible to hold, some幽柔 crisscrossing, some妖冶 draping backwards, some翘起 as if gazing, some凝然 as if pondering, some lively posing, some... skirts, moving with graceful fragrance, just like Zheng Xiu seeing King Wu of Chu for the first time, cool and bright at night, ...blooming beautifully. Like Chang'e intending to fly to the moon, butterflies scattering, bees silent, gazing silently at the boudoir. Like Daji before hearing tearing silk, or opening ancient Chu, glowing like dawn. Like Xi Gui holding emotion without speaking, near golden ponds, or crossing embroidered wells. Like Xi Shi washing silk seeing her reflection, jade dew...,妖红 falling wet. Like Li Ji about to slander and weep, by water edges, or river banks. Like the Goddess meeting Zheng Jiaofu, near grand banquets, or high gatherings. Like Han E about to sing and restrain her posture, slight breeze stirring, rustling warm red. Like Fei Yan dancing on a palm, half-drenched by slanting wind, moving or stopping. Like Cai Wenji about to compose poetry and think, lush and charming, standing mutually leaning. Like Li Hua serving a banquet, initially drunk, fierce wind and rain, a burst of red dispersing. Like Bao Si trying barbarians for the first time, spring colors covering the ground, steps and walls. Like Qi Ji dying in the ball court, among flower varieties, this one is most unique. This flower can delight the ruler's eyes and mind, its fruit can fill the ruler's mouth and belly. Without this flower, others are mediocre.)

My late father said: Use Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) to guide it, use black beans to nourish it, use fire to transform it. When the color becomes yellow, the qi becomes pure.

[Core] Commentary: Peach is the fruit of the Lung, belonging to Metal among the Five Woods; Metal qi is clear and肃肃 (solemn/clear), thus it can subdue pathogenic factors, remove three parasites, and eliminate misfortune. Those growing on dry solid wood are called Xiao, primarily killing ghosts and spirits, hence named Xiao because they hang on solid wood. Stems, leaves, hairs, and borers can all dispel evil, differing from Yin of death by being Yang of life. Its flowers improve complexion due to their glory and superiority in color among flowers. The *Piya* states: Peach trees flower and fruit within three years, hence *Zhou Nan* says "Yao Tao... Shi". Peach kernels primarily treat lower blood stasis, blood obstruction, abdominal masses, and pathogenic factors. Peach is the fruit of the Lung, with essence concentrated specifically in the kernel, thus governing Lung qi, acting as the commander of Ying and Blood, causing stagnant blood to move and moving blood to settle. Therefore, the *Qianjin Fang* uses peach kernels burnt to ash, taken with wine using a square-inch measure, to stop metrorrhagia and leukorrhea. Since then, blood that does not flow and does not moisten is...
(The world only knows that peach kernels treat stagnation by promoting movement, not knowing they also treat movement by promoting stagnation. If not promoting movement of stagnation, how can one achieve good complexion and offspring? If not promoting stagnation of movement, how can one remove blood stasis and resolve obstruction?)