Library

Ruiren (Prunus mume Seed)
Disperses wind-heat in the Liver organ. Treats disasters/diseases of the eyes and eyesight. When Qi ascends, it is appropriate to descend it. Scatters nodulated phlegm in the heart and abdomen. Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Slippery nature, biased towards Yin. (*Shennong Bencao Jing* states its nature is warm. However, observing its indications for evil heat and stagnant Qi in the heart and abdomen, as well as treating conditions such as redness, swelling, and pain of the eyes, it is not suitable for a warm-natured herb. Therefore, *Mingyi Bielu* stating its nature is cold is well-founded. Its moistening and descending nature can be imagined as extending from the Lung to the Liver.)

Jinyingzi (Rosa Laevigata Fruit)
Acid and astringent, warm in nature. Reaches the Liver and Spleen and enters the Kidney meridian. Astringes essence and consolidates Qi. Suitable for deficiency patterns without fire. Closes and stores, seals and preserves. If there is pathogenic factor in the disease, do not use it. (Jinyingzi is acid, astringent, and warm, but must be harvested while still raw/immature. If too ripe, the color becomes red and taste sweet, completely losing the astringent flavor, and taking it benefits people [in a tonifying rather than astringing way], so herbal collection should be timely. All seeds have a descending property and can enter the Lower Jiao. Its efficacy lies entirely in astringency. It can be used for all kinds of chronic dysentery, spermatorrhea, and insecurity of urination and defecation, provided there is no evil heat.)

Shanzhuyu (Cornus Officinalis Fruit)
Nature is收敛 (astringent/consolidating), biased towards warm. Consolidates essence and tonifies the Kidney. Acid and astringent in taste. Strengthens Water to generate Liver Wood. (Shanzhuyu is acid, warm, and non-toxic. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. The Liver governs dispersion and drainage; the Kidney governs closure and storage. Excessive dispersion and drainage lead to slipping and uncontrollable leakage, requiring acidic and astringent agents to gather it. How much more so for conditions belonging to deficiency, such as spermatorrhea, loose stools, insecure urination, and spontaneous sweating? By consolidating Yuan Qi, Essence and Blood become abundant; this is what is meant by tonification. This substance, like Wuweizi, has an excessively strong sour taste and is not very suitable for human Qi and Blood. Even in cases of collapse, it should be used with discretion. For those with evil fire pathogens, it is especially contraindicated.)

Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus)
Bitter in taste, unblocks the Heart meridian. Guides heat into the Intestines; cold overcomes fire. Light in aroma, reaches the Lung meridian. Charred, it enters the Blood level; black neutralizes red. The kernel resolves stagnant heat in the Stomach. The shell withdraws Yang pathogens from the skin surface. (Shanzhi is pointed and round, red in color resembling the Heart. Its texture is light and floating, entering the Lung. Bitter and cold, with a descending nature, it clears evil heat from the Upper Jiao of the Heart and Lungs. It winds downwards and exits via the Small Intestine and Bladder. Charred black, it clears stagnant heat in the Blood level. If evil heat is constrained and cannot descend in the chest and diaphragm, it is used raw. Shanzhi kernels can also induce vomiting. Shanzhi is not a vomitive drug per se, but merely guides the body to vomit, following the trend of the disease, as stated: "For those high up, cause them to vomit.")