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[Non-toxic, Plant origin]
Tong Ye (Leaves of Firmiana simplex, *Firmianae Folium*) is indicated for malignant erosive sores (ulcerative lesions with destructive properties), especially when located on the yin organs. Tong Pi (Bark of Firmiana simplex, *Firmianae Cortex*) treats five types of hemorrhoids and kills three kinds of intestinal parasites. Tong Hua (Flowers of Firmiana simplex, *Firmianae Flos*) can be applied externally to treat skin diseases in pigs or fed to pigs to triple their body weight. (The content marked in red characters is from *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica]). Tong Pi treats Ben Tun Qi disease (a condition characterized by a sensation of qi rushing upward from the lower abdomen to the chest and throat). (The content marked in black characters is recorded by famous physicians of later generations.)

[Names] Bai Tong (White Tong), Qing Tong (Green Tong), Gang Tong (Hill Tong), Hua Tong (Flower Tong), Rong Tong (Flourishing Tong), Yi Tong (Chair Tong), Tong Mu (Tong Wood), Huang Tong (Yellow Tong), Wu Tong (Paulownia), Chen, You Tong (Oil Tong).

[Seedlings] [According to *Tu Jing*]: There are three types of Tong trees: Bai Tong blooms yellow-purple flowers in February but does not bear fruit; the seed-like structures appearing in winter are actually the flower buds for the following year. Its wood lacks seeds, is suitable for making qin and se instruments, and is the variety used in medicine for its flowers and leaves. *Erya* calls it "Rong Tong" because it flowers but does not fruit, hence also called "Hua Tong". Another type has green bark and branches with knobby nodes; its seeds attach beside these nodes, known as Wu Tong or Qing Tong. When roasted and eaten, its taste resembles water caltrop and Chinese chestnut. There is also Gang Tong, which grows on high hills, hence the name. Generally, Tong trees prefer damp environments and do not grow on high hills, thus giving rise to the name Gang Tong. The seeds of Gang Tong are large and oily-rich, so it is also called You Tong. Some say that Wu Tong knows the changes of days, months, and leap years; it grows twelve leaves, six on each side, with one leaf at the bottom representing a month. If there is a leap month, it grows thirteen leaves. By observing which leaf is smaller, one can determine the leap month. Thus, it is said that if Wu Tong does not grow, the customs of the Nine Provinces will differ, hence named "Tong", similar to how the Jiao Ming plant opens one flower every fifteen days to indicate the new moon and full moon.

[Origin] [According to *Tu Jing*]: Grows in the valleys of Tongbai Mountain; now found everywhere.

[Seasons] [Growth]: Leaves unfold in spring; [Harvest]: Collected before autumn; [Storage]: Dried in shade; [Medicinal Parts]: Leaves, Bark, Flowers.

[Quality and Usage] Similar to common herbs; crush before use.

[Efficacy] [Treatment] [According to *Tu Jing*]: Ci Tong (Thorny Tong) stops bleeding from metal wounds; Wu Tong Bai Pi (White Bark of Paulownia) treats hemorrhoids. [According to *Yao Xing Lun*]: Bai Tong Pi treats five types of strangury; washing hair with it removes wind-cold from the head and promotes hair growth and nourishment. [According to *Ri Hua Zi*]: Tong You (Tung Oil) applied externally treats malignant sores, scabies, and edema; applying it to rat bite sites helps heal them.

[Non-toxic, Plant origin]
Hu Jiao (Pepper, *Piperis Fructus*) treats deficiency-cold in the lower jiao, warms the middle jiao, dispels phlegm, and eliminates wind-cold in the zang-fu organs. (Recorded by famous physicians of later generations.)

[Name] Mei Lv Zhi.

[Seedlings] Duan Chengshi in *Youyang Zazu* records: It grows in spring and summer; leaves are green, smooth, and lovely. The stems are very soft, with thin strips level with the leaves. Seeds form on these strips like mouse plums, growing in pairs. Leaves open in the morning and close in the evening, wrapping the seeds inside. It resembles Han Jiao (Chinese pepper) but is extremely pungent. It is now commonly used in preparing Hu Pan meat dishes.

[Origin] [According to *Tu Jing*]: Grows in the Western Regions; [According to *Hai Yao Ben Cao*]: Produced in various countries of the South Sea; [According to *Bie Lu*]: Mogatuo Country.

[Seasons] [Growth]: Leaves emerge in spring; [Harvest]: Fruits collected in June; [Storage]: Sun-dried; [Medicinal Part]: Fruit.

[Quality] Resembles mouse plum.

[Color] Black.

[Usage] [According to *Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun*]: Select clean fruits and grind into powder using a stone mortar.

[Efficacy] [Treatment] [According to *Ri Hua Zi*]: Regulates the five zang organs, stops cholera, relieves cold pain in the heart and abdomen, strengthens kidney qi, and treats cold dysentery; [According to *Bie Lu*]: Eliminates coldness due to stomach qi deficiency, indigestion due to retained food, rebellious cold qi, cold-phlegm in the stomach, and immediate vomiting after eating.

[Contraindications] Excessive consumption damages the lungs.

[Detoxification] Kills toxins from all fish, meat, turtles, and mushrooms.