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Bear Bile (Xiong Dan)
The nature is originally bitter and cold. The efficacy returns to the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. It retreats pathogenic heat and brightens the eyes. It is suitable for ear gan (ear ulceration) and nasal erosion. Applied externally, it treats hemorrhoids with fistulae and various insect bites; it also governs convulsions, epilepsy, and toothache. (There are many species of bears, and the authenticity of bear bile varies. It is said that this bile can repel dust. Test by placing a cup of clean water and letting dust cover its surface; throwing in a small amount of bile causes the dust to scatter instantly if it is genuine. Bitter, cold, non-toxic, it clears heat from the Heart, Liver, and Gallbladder. It excels in treating eye diseases, killing parasites, and treating hemorrhoids. For conditions such as ear gan and nasal erosion, it is primarily used externally, relying solely on its bitter, cold, cooling, and moistening properties.)

Elephant Skin (Xiang Pi)
Salty, warm, non-toxic. It has merit in external treatment. It is a divine pill for promoting muscle growth and an essential medicine for healing metallic wounds. Elephant tusk is sweet, cold, and can retract proliferating flesh and remove corneal nebulae, while repelling demonic pathogens. (Elephant skin is thick and swollen; when pierced by knives or axes, it heals very quickly, which is why it is used. After roasting and grinding into fine powder, it is used to close metallic wounds and promote muscle growth, with extreme efficacy. It has merit in external treatment, but genuine products are extremely rare. ○ Elephant tusk is sweet, cold, and non-toxic. Ground into powder, it utilizes the concept of "shedding" or "retracting." Internally, it treats fistulae from hemorrhoids; externally, it is applied to old or new corneal nebulae, smeared on thorns embedded in flesh, resolves various beast toxins, and repels various evil injuries, as the elephant is the giant among beasts.)

Deer Antler Velvet (Lu Rong)
Sweet and salty, enters the Kidney meridian. It supplements essence and marrow to strengthen primal Yang. As a substance with blood and flesh (sentient material), it relies on its immortal spirit to unblock the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). Endowed with pure Yang qi, it contributes to strengthening bones. Containing the mechanism of growth and generation, it supports the emaciated. Deer antler frost is salty and warm but weak in potency; deer antler glue excels in benefiting blood. Fresh horn rubbed with wine can also dissipate blood stasis. Cervus nippon antler velvet, after processing, can further strengthen Yin. Various types share similar nature and flavor, but these two must be distinguished by their Yin and Yang attributes. (Deer antler velvet is the tender horn of the deer, not exceeding one or two cun in length, purple in color and tender. When harvesting, it is cut off along with the skull bone, and then the deer is killed, to preserve its complete vital energy and prevent blood dispersion. The deer is an immortal beast, possessing pure Yang nature and high libido, often facing its tail, capable of unblocking the Du Mai. Horns are the gathering place of essence and blood, with deer antler velvet being the most prominent. Sweet and salty, warm in nature, it greatly supplements Kidney essence and blood, assists primal Yang, and unblocks the Du Mai. As a sentient substance, it is superior to other herbs for tonifying deficiency and emaciation. Regarding expelling evil and avoiding ghosts, it is due to its pure Yang nature. ○ Deer antler cut into inch-long pieces, washed and cleaned thoroughly, boiled over fierce fire for three days and nights until the horn becomes酥 (crumbly/soft) and glue forms. Removing dregs and boiling again yields Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao). If boiled until soft but before glue forms, it is taken out as Deer Antler Frost (Lu Jiao Shuang). Its nature, flavor, and functions are similar to deer antler velvet, differing only in stages of vigor, decline, and age. Ultimately, they are all sentient substances that warm and tonify the Du Mai, enrich essence and blood. If essence and blood are deficient and can tolerate rich, cloying tonics, use the glue; if only Yang is deficient and cannot tolerate cloying tonics, use the frost. ○ If old horns are used raw, their hard and rigid nature can break severe blood stasis and repel ghostly pathogens. Although raw/cooked and old/tender differ, their ability to strengthen Yang pathways and heal severed injuries cannot be entirely ignored. ○ Cervus nippon antler velvet comes from the sika deer, similar to red deer antler velvet in type, with similar nature, flavor, and indications. However, deer inhabit mountains while sika deer inhabit marshes; deer belong to Yang, while sika deer belong to Yin. Red deer antlers shed at Summer Solstice upon encountering Yin, while sika deer antlers shed at Winter Solstice upon encountering Yang. One tonifies Yang, the other tonifies Yin. Although both are blood-related, light, and agile substances, there are slight distinctions.)