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(Recorded in the Middle Grade of *Mingyi Bielu*)
The mugwort leaves presented from Qizhou have nine-pointed leaves, are five to seven cun in length, and approximately one fen thick. Not only is their potency superior, but they can be praised as fine mugwort. Used for moxibustion on a water platform, they are referred to as

[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, slightly warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily used for moxibustion to treat various diseases. Prepared as a decoction, it stops hematemesis (vomiting blood) and diarrhea, treats hidden sores in the lower body, metrorrhagia (irregular uterine bleeding) in women, promotes the flow of Yin qi, generates muscle tissue, repels wind and cold.

[Verification] Says: Mugwort grows in valleys and fields; those from Qizhou are the most precious, while those from Siming are also good. In spring, the perennial roots sprout again, spreading over the ground to produce seedlings, growing in clumps like artemisia. The stems grow straight up, four to five chi high. Leaves spread in four directions; those with five or nine points are superior, with smaller points on the branches. The leaf surface is green, and the back is white. In August, spikelets reappear between the leaves, producing small flowers and fruits that hang heavily on the branches, containing fine seeds. It withers only after frost, belonging to the same category as yarrow (*Artemisia capillaris*). For processing, select clean leaves, winnow away dust and debris, place in a stone mortar, and pound thoroughly with a wooden pestle. Sieve out the dregs, then pound again until cotton-like, so that the fire power of moxibustion is effective; if added to pills and powders, grind together with sliced poria (*Poria cocos*) to make fine powder immediately, which is another unique method. Vinegar (*Ku Jiu*) and Cyperi Rhizoma (*Xiangfu*) serve as guiding herbs.

[Commentary] Says: Yarrow and mugwort are of the same category, distinguished only by age. Fifty years is called "Ai" (mugwort), while thousands of years is called "Shi" (yarrow). Ai represents young mugwort, possessing two meanings: growth/rest and cessation. It withers after frost, referred to as "Great labor has ceased," indicating cessation; it sprouts again at the Full Moon of Spring, referred to as "Experiencing beautiful Ai," indicating growth. Yarrow has endured for many years, with a mild flavor and nature; fresh mugwort possesses sharp energy, with a dispersing flavor and nature. Moxibustion treats hundred diseases because sunken conditions require moxibustion, and stagnant fire requires dispersion. All the mentioned syndromes belong to fire stagnating below without the command to disperse widely, and Yin qi receiving Yang qi, leading to epistaxis and reckless blood movement. Generating muscle tissue relies on the Qi superiority of mugwort. Facilitating conception also reflects the meaning of growth. Do not let mugwort see wind, lest its Qi dissipate.

(Recorded in the Middle Grade of *Mingyi Bielu*)
Betel nut moves rightward in the ring position, obtaining both aspects. The year is Xuanxiao, the month is Ruibin, corresponding to the fifth month's pitch-pipe.
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, acrid, astringent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily digests food grains, expels water retention, eliminates phlegm, kills three types of parasites, Fu Shi worms, and Taenia (*Cunbai*).

[Verification] Says: Produced in Nanhai, Jiaozhou, Guangzhou, and Kunlun; currently available in all subordinate prefectures. The fruit shape is extraordinary, and the tree is unique. Initially resembling bamboo shoots, it gradually matures, with a stem growing straight up, no side branches, uniform thickness from base to tip, hollow inside, and hard outside. The bark is similar to Firmiana simplex (*Qingtong*) but thicker, and the nodes resemble Bambusa textilis (*Junzhu*) but rougher. Large ones are three circumference units thick, tall ones reach nine zhang. Leaves grow at the top of the tree, resembling banana palms or date palms. Branches split and break; in March, chambers arise among the leaves, thorns like brambles cause them to self-break. Spikelets emerge bearing hundreds of fruits, large like peaches and plums, ripening in summer. They are stored with shells. Those transported north are boiled in ash and dried, otherwise prone to decay. Zhen Luoshan's疏 states: There is a mountain betel nut named [missing character], produced in Rinan. The tree resembles a date palm but is smaller, similar in shape to betel nut. A clump has over ten trunks, each trunk over ten chambers, each chamber hundreds of nuts. Nuts are about one cun long. Harvested in May, taste near sweet and bitter. Another type is pig betel nut, large and astringent, with a large kernel, which is also Dafuzi. For processing, use white betel nut, maintaining a stable upright posture; those with firm hearts and brocade-like patterns are best. Scraping off the bottom skin surpasses treating miasma.

My late father said: Without branches, growing straight up, this proceeds from Jia to Yi, from Yi to Bing, growing in the hot southern direction. White color and astringent taste suggest mixed Metal Qi, due to its location in the southwestern corner. Thus, its Qi moves forward, having the image of rightward migration. Also said: Its Qi is swift, suitable for all four natures. However, it is most intimate with Spleen Earth. Through alternating operation, where can corpse worms stand? Also said: Its nature is opposite to objects; what is upper makes it lower, what is lower makes it upper; yet it is neither directly upward nor directly downward.

[Commentary] Says: *Shuowen Jiezi* states: Facing sun is Bin; facing shade is Lang. Lei Gong says: Round-headed and short-bridged is Lang; pointed-shaped and purple-patterned is Bin. Thus, Bin and Lang determine their direction by their shapes. Generally, "Bin" harmonizes with "Guest". *Book of Documents* says: Yin Bin sunrise, guiding Yang Qi to attach and nourish all things. *Book of Rites* says: Ruibin is a pitch-pipe name, guiding Yin Qi to continue nourishing all things. Therefore, Bin alone is the omen of ascending Yang, the beginning of ascending Yin. And "Lang" harmonizes with "Official"; Official means pavilion/station, saying flowers bloom in the room, fruits form outside the room. Its spikelets resemble millet, its fruits resemble grain, standing tall like arranged stations, still like an official. Looking at its base three circumference units, trunk height nine zhang, tip not small, base not huge, lower not leaning, upper not tilting, trunk straight with nodes, outer strong inner hollow, leaves clustered on wood, chambers hanging under leaves. Walking in its forest is spacious and bright; sheltering in its shade is desolate and sparse, different from those growing straight up. Saying its nodes are like waiting, gradually accumulating to become promising ascent. Therefore, high things are suppressed, such as running piglet Qi counterflow, Hong Kong foot rushing to the heart, sudden dizziness and vertigo causing head disease. Low things are lifted, such as tenesmus after diarrhea, sinking of clear Qi, chest pain radiating to the back, lower fullness in both hypochondria. Excess is balanced, such as water retention forming masses, hard accumulations of zheng jia, chest/abdominal fullness, dryness, and excess. Deficiency is assisted, such as organ exhaustion, Sanjiao opening/closing dysfunction, Spleen Earth sallow complexion, diet unable to transform into flesh. Blocked is opened, such as visceral stagnation, orifice/joint obstruction, five diaphragms and regurgitation, inability to take food/water. Opened is closed, such as undigested diarrhea intestinal [missing character], vomiting and reflux, cholera with spontaneous sweating, restlessness wanting death. Drunk is awakened, suddenly released. Awake is intoxicated, flushed cheeks. Hungry is filled, Qi becomes abundant. Full is made hungry, Qi dissipates. As for killing three parasites, driving Fu Shi, eliminating Taenia, chasing parasites hiding in hundred bones, causing illness lasting long without cure, transforming into surprising symptoms, the way is to follow the Yang of Li Ji (continuing life of all things), opposing the deep darkness of Death Yin towards dusk.