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[Recorded as Upper Grade in *Mingyi Bielu*]
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats toxic swelling caused by Wind-Water (Fengshui), Cholera (Huoluan), Heart pain, and eliminates malignant heat from the body.

(Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily warms the Spleen and Stomach, stops distension and fullness associated with Cholera (Huoluan), treats various swellings caused by Wind-Toxin, and dental gan disease (Chi Gan). It can stimulate the aroma of other fragrant herbs.
[Nucleus/Commentary] States: Produced in the East Sea, as well as in Kunlun Country; also found in Jiaozhou, Guangzhou, and Southern Fan regions. The tree grows over one zhang high, remains evergreen through winter, resembling a chestnut or cinnamon tree, with leaves similar to oak. Flowers resemble plum blossoms, and fruits resembling Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu) are Ji She Xiang (Clove Bud/Mother Clove), also known as Mu Ding. Its fruit grows on branches; the cap resembling a nail, measuring three to four fen in length, is Ding Xiang (Clove), also known as Zi Ding. Both are purple. Since the fruits have a mother-son distinction, one should follow the records of *Mingyi Bielu* and *Kaibao Bencao* as orthodox, rather than arbitrarily distinguishing between male and female. It is unknown that there is another type of male tree which flowers but does not bear fruit; its flowers ferment into powder, emitting a rich fragrance that persists for a long time, produced south of Kunlun and Jiaoai. For processing, only Mu Ding has strong potency and is superior for medicinal use. When using Zi Ding, one must remove the fruit cap and the inner seed, otherwise it may cause carbuncles on the back. Avoid fire; incompatible with Curcuma aromatica (Yujin).
Ancestor stated: Although Ji She [Chicken Tongue] is named for its shape resembling a tongue, the tongue is the sprout of the Heart, internally harboring Ding Fire, which secretly harmonizes. Furthermore, the Pungent-Warm nature corresponds to the flavor and nature of Heart Fire, and the sense of smell is governed by the Heart. Fragrance is the odor of the Spleen, possessing the mechanism of mutual generation between Fire and Earth, following the path of Ding combining with Wu.
[A Scholar] states: Chicken feathers and birds correspond to the徵 (Zhi) tone, belonging to the Bing stem. Ding follows Bing in position; the tongue is the sprout of the Heart, and the Heart is also a Fire organ. Therefore, Ding Xiang is called Ding, and Ji She is called Mother. Generally, Bing represents the rigid aspect of Xin, while Ding represents the flexible aspect of Ren. From this, we know that Bing combines with Xin while Water flows downward, and Ding combines with Ren while Wood bends and straightens. If a tree forgets its water source, it manifests as toxic swelling due to Wind-Water, which is a rebellion against Yin and Yang leading to Cholera (Huoluan). Feeling inwardly constrained and suffering sudden heart pain are all brewed by malignant heat, not a matter of days or nights, but due to failure to distinguish early. One must understand that Xin should belong to Bing, and Ren should belong to Ding. When Bing and Ding are established, Fire flares upward; when Fire flares upward, crops mature and become sweet; when Yin condenses to the extreme forming hard ice, it naturally melts. *Kaibao Bencao* indicates warming the Spleen and Stomach, which precisely means "tonifying the mother when deficient" thereby enriching the substance of Earth, and promoting the flavors of the five grains thereby sufficing the function of Earth.