Library

Tao Ren (Persicae Semen)
Breaks blood stasis lodged in the collaterals of the Liver. Its taste is bitter and slightly sweet. It unblocks dryness and constipation in the Lungs and Large Intestine. Its nature is neutral and moistening. It can ward off demons from all directions, which is due to it being the essence of the five trees. (Tao Ren tastes bitter and slightly sweet, with a neutral and moistening nature. It specifically enters the Liver Meridian and also enters the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. It breaks blood, moistens dryness, and kills parasites; parasites are born because they are wrapped and nourished by blood. To dispel wind, as blood moves, wind naturally extinguishes. Regarding its ability to treat conditions such as liver malaria, Gui Zhu (ghostly fixation), and pain, these are clearly signs of blood stagnation caused by Liver disease. The saying of warding off ghosts and removing evil has been passed down since ancient times, hence items like Tao Fu (peach wood charm), Tao Zhi (peach branch), Tao Xiao (owl on peach wood), and Tao He (peach pit) are all utilized. To disperse stasis, keep the skin and tip; to descend Qi, remove the skin and tip. Both should be ground for use.)

Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum)
Bitter and acrid, it disperses obstruction and can vent Wind-Cold in the Lungs. Warm and moist, it descends downward and is good at resolving dryness and constipation in the Large Intestine. It can broaden the chest and descend rebellious Qi. It can treat coughs by searching out phlegm. Sweet Xing Ren, because its taste is sweet and neutral, when used, its functions are mostly moistening and descending. (Xing Ren tastes bitter and is warm in nature, entering the Qi aspect of the Lung Meridian. All seeds/nuts have a descending property, so its function specializes in descending Qi. When Qi descends, phlegm dissipates and cough stops. It can moisten the Large Intestine, so it can be used for cases of Qi closure in the Large Intestine. Examining the nature of Xing Ren, it seems to lack an acrid taste, appearing to have only moistening and descending effects without the power to resolve exterior pathogens. However, when Wind-Cold binds the exterior and Lung Qi rebels, one must use this bitter-descending agent to make the Qi smooth so that the exterior can be resolved. Thus, in Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction), it is used for this very reason. Tao Ren and Xing Ren have similar natures: one enters the Blood aspect of the Liver Meridian, and the other enters the Qi aspect of the Lung Meridian. As for detoxification and killing parasites, both can do so, depending on the skillful application of the practitioner. ○ Sweet Xing Ren is a different variety, with a sweet taste and neutral nature, suitable for fruit consumption. Its main indications are similar, but when used in formulas for deficiency-type chronic cough, it lacks the bitter and harsh nature.)

Li (Pyrus Fructus)
Its nature is biased towards cold and moistening. Its taste is sweet and sour. It relieves thirst and cures drunkenness. It clears irritant heat from the Heart, Lungs, and Upper Jiao. It eliminates phlegm and relieves chest fullness. It treats "Feng Xiao" (wind wasting/diarrhea caused by internal disturbance in the stomach and intestines). (Li tastes sweet and slightly sour, with a cold and slippery nature, entering the Lung and Stomach meridians. It clears irritant heat, promotes bowel movement, treats heat cough and dry cough, removes hot phlegm from the chest, and resolves Dan Shi toxicity and alcohol toxicity. Extreme heat generates wind, so it can treat conditions like Feng Xiao. However, raw Li clears heat, while cooked Li nourishes Yin, similar to how Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) has different uses depending on whether it is raw or processed.)