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Paste six herbs to form cakes. Its nature is pungent and sweet, warming the middle and harmonizing the stomach. It possesses five colors and functions completely, digesting water and grain, releasing the exterior and strengthening the spleen. (Shenqu [Medicated Leaven] uses white flour as the chief ingredient, adding red beans, apricot kernels, mugwort, cocklebur, and wild smartweed, six types in total. They are mixed and made into cakes, similar to the method of fermenting soybean paste. Wait for it to heat up and grow a yellow mold on the surface, then dry and store it. It has all five flavors, with pungent and sweet being predominant. Its nature is warm, entering the spleen and stomach meridians; its primary function is to digest food. The term "releasing the exterior" refers to its ability to ascend and disperse due to its steaming qi. Once food is digested, the spleen and stomach harmonize and function normally. For digestion, use stir-fried Shenqu; for releasing the exterior, use raw Shenqu, according to suitability.)

Huai Xiaomai [Huai Wheat] (109.bmp)
Sweet and cool, nourishes stomach qi, moistens and benefits the heart spirit. (Wheat is considered the grain corresponding to the heart, thus it enters the heart meridian. Southern wheat is warm in nature, while northern wheat is cool. Huai wheat is considered superior, avoiding concerns of stagnation and generating heat, possessing instead the merit of cooling the heart and moistening dryness. From this, one can imagine the efficacy of Ganmai Dazao Decoction [Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction] from *Jin Gui Yao Lue* in treating Zang Zao [Organ Frustration] in women.)

Treats insomnia due to yin deficiency; its nature is mild, sweet, and cool. Clears lung congestion to unblock the intestines; its texture is somewhat sticky and greasy. (Shu [Millet] is now known as fine millet, also called Liang rice. Another view states that sticky millet is Shu, while non-sticky is Su, just as sticky panicum is Shu and non-sticky is Ji. All these items can serve as food and nourish the spleen and stomach. Ancients regarded Shu as the grain corresponding to the lungs, suitable for lung diseases. Shu is sweet and cold, thus it nourishes lung yin, benefits the large intestine, and treats conditions like insomnia due to yin deficiency, taking advantage of its yin-nourishing, yang-reducing, and soothing properties.)

Astringes essence and stops diarrhea; pain caused by deficient pathogens is cured instantly. Awakens sleep and aids yang; the toxic, bitter, and sour properties take effect promptly. (Afu Rong [Opium] is opium earth, refined from the juice of poppy capsules. Materia Medica texts state it is sour and warm, but essentially it is extremely bitter and hot. Its toxicity is fierce, differing significantly from the flower shell. Such opposite natures within one substance are indeed unusual. This substance can treat diseases, originating from Westerners, hence also called Yang Yao [Foreign Medicine]. It stops dysentery, strengthens primal yang, and promotes qi and blood circulation, showing miraculous effects. However, the method of smoking was invented by unknown persons. Initially posing no threat to life, often the root cause of illness remains while addiction takes hold, becoming a lifelong burden, beyond regret.)