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Purgative, blood-breaking, and moistening for dryness.
Bitter, neutral, slightly sweet. Bitter flavor drains blood stasis; sweet flavor moderates Liver Qi to generate new blood. (Cheng Wuji stated: The Liver is the source of blood; when blood gathers, Liver Qi becomes dry. When the Liver suffers from urgency, sweet foods should be eaten to moderate it.) It unblocks constipation due to blood in the Large Intestine. It treats heat entering the Blood Chamber (Chong Mai). It treats blood dryness and blood痞 (masses). It treats accumulated blood from trauma. It treats bloody dysentery and amenorrhea. It treats cough with rebellious Qi. (When blood is harmonious, Qi descends.) It treats dry and itchy skin. (Blood coagulation in the muscles.) It treats fever resembling madness. (If there is fullness and pain in the lower abdomen with free urination, it is a case of蓄血 [accumulated blood].) If used mistakenly in cases without blood stasis, it severely damages Yin Qi. Preparation: Soak to remove the skin and tips, stir-fry, then crush. Double-kernel Peach Kernels are toxic and must not be used. Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) serves as an guiding herb. (For women's vulvar itching, crush Peach Kernels, wrap in cotton, and insert vaginally; for postpartum vulvar swelling, crush and apply externally; both methods are excellent.)

Peach Blossom (Unblocking, strong purgative action.)
Bitter, neutral. Drains retained water. Eliminates phlegm-fluids. Dissolves accumulations. Promotes urination and defecation. Treats wind-induced madness. (Su E's *Duyang Bian* records: Fan Chunyou's daughter went mad after losing her husband. She was locked in a room, bit through window lattice at night, climbed a peach tree, and ate almost all the blossoms, after which she recovered, as blossoms can purge phlegm-fluids and blood stasis. *Rumen Shiqin* records: A woman suffered from slippery diarrhea for years with no effect from various treatments. Someone suggested this was due to injury by fluids and accumulation. At the time of peach blossom fall, dozens of calyces were harvested using thorns, avoiding direct hand contact. They were made into cakes with flour, baked/roasted, and taken with rice drink. Within one or two hours, diarrhea flowed like pouring; over six days, she had hundreds of bowel movements, became faint and exhausted, and only settled after drinking cold water.) Its function is aggressive resolution. It may only be applied to conditions of excess Qi and surplus. If taken without cause under the false pretenses of curing myriad diseases or beautifying complexion, the harm is considerable. Harvest flowers on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, clean them thoroughly, store in silk bags, and dry in the shade hanging under eaves. Do not use thousand-petal varieties.

Peach Leaf (Dispersing, inducing sweating. Bitter, neutral. Kills parasites, induces sweating. (In cases of Shanghan or wind-bi where sweat cannot be induced, burn the ground, sprinkle water, lay thick layers of dry peach leaves 2-3 cun thick, lie on a mat upon them, cover warmly to induce profuse sweating, dust the bedding with powder to keep it extremely dry, and the condition will heal. Wheat bran and silkworm feces can be used similarly.)) Harvest tender leaves. Named "Peach Heart." Superior for medicinal use. Peach Fruit is pungent, sour, sweet, and hot. Slightly toxic. Excessive consumption causes internal heat and generates carbuncles/furuncles. (Harmful rather than beneficial; among the five fruits, Peach is ranked lowest; eating it with turtle meat causes heart pain; those taking Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizome especially avoid it.) Tao Xiao (Peach fruit that remains on the tree through winter without falling, harvested in the first lunar month.) Bitter, slightly warm. Slightly toxic. Expels evil spirits and malefic influences. (For treating white tinea capitis, mix one liang of dried Peach Kernel with one he of Hei Chou [Semen Stramonii], grind to powder, and apply mixed with lard from the twelfth lunar month.)