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Sweet, neutral, non-toxic, can disperse wind-qi. Bitter, astringent, slightly warm, can promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis. (Dou refers to the wild black bean of today, which is tight, small, and black. Its nature and flavor are the same as those of the large black bean, but with a slight bitterness and astringency. Its therapeutic effects also enter the Kidney meridian. Its power to invigorate blood and dispel wind seems superior to that of the soybean, especially its skin, which has sufficient efficacy.)

Nourish the Stomach and relieve restlessness; relying on sweet and bland flavors to borrow the support of grain qi. Harmonize the Middle Jiao and promote appetite; using sour and cool properties to benefit damp-heat and eliminate it through separation. (Chen Cang Mi [aged rice] generally refers to aged grains of various types. Although their varieties differ, they all sustain human life and assist the Spleen and nourish the Stomach. However, new rice is warm in nature and may cause stagnation; aged rice is cool and promotes free flow. Therefore, it can harmonize the Middle Jiao, remove damp-heat, and is most suitable for debilitated individuals after illness.)

Digest food, nourish the Spleen, and transform accumulation. Its nature is sweet and warm, harmonizing the Middle Jiao, benefiting Qi, and benefiting the Triple Burner, functioning to disseminate and guide. (Zheng Bing [steamed cake] is made from flour shaped into cakes, steamed until cooked, and used only after being aged for a long time. Those made on Cold Food Day are called Han Shi Mian [Cold Food Flour]. When used to make pills, it is taken because the flour's nature has passed through aging and does not aid damp-heat. Only its sweet and neutral nature can harmonize the Middle Jiao, aid digestion, benefit water passages, and enrich the Spleen and Stomach. Ultimately, it has no other special strengths.)

(Li Shizhen said: Vegetables are used to possess the five flavors, assist the five grains, and provide nourishment. However, the quality and toxicity of the five vegetables vary. The entry of the five flavors into specific organs often leads to excess. Therefore, there are internal teachings, and dietary physicians have prescriptions. How can one fail to carefully select and use vegetables for humans?)

Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion): Enters the Yangming channel, clears heat, disperses pathogens, and additionally detoxifies. Sweet and bitter, cold, slippery orifices, and can eliminate carbuncles. (Pu Gong Ying is also known as Huang Hua Di Ding [Yellow-flowered ground thistle], growing in plains, swamps, fields, and gardens. Its stems and leaves resemble Cichorii Herba [Kuju]. A single stem emerges from the center, ending in a flower yellow like gold coins, resembling a single-petal chrysanthemum. It tastes bitter and sweet, is cold and slippery, and specifically enters the Yangming channel to dissipate heat nodules and eliminate toxin-induced carbuncles. Because this herb is yellow and sweet, belonging to Earth, and its nature is slippery and promoting, it can enter the Yangming channel, detoxify, lubricate orifices, and treat all breast conditions in women.)