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Non-toxic. Naturally grown.

Bisida (a medicinal material): Harmonizes the middle jiao (middle burner) and regulates qi (vital energy). (From *Yinshan Zhengyao*) [Seedling] Note: Bisida is also known as Bistie, originating from Huizui regions. The trees in fields are one to two zhang high. Leaves resemble apricot leaves; fruits resemble plums or peaches. Remove the flesh, take the kernels, and consume them as fruit. It is now also presented as tribute. [Collection] Sun-dried. [Taste] Sweet. [Nature] Lax/Sluggish. [Qi] Thin in qi nature, Yin within Yang. [Odor] Fragrant.

Non-toxic. Naturally grown.

Tangqiuzi (Crataegus fruit): Effective for treating dysentery and lower back pain. It can also promote digestion, move stagnant qi, strengthen the stomach, and induce eruption of sores/rashes. (Recorded by famous physicians) [Names] Shanchazi, Haihong, Shanliguo. [Seedling] (*Tujing Bencao* states): The tree is three to five chi high. Leaves resemble apricot leaves but are longer. White flowers bloom in the third month; fruits set according to the season, resembling sour dates but slightly flatter. By the eighth and ninth months, they turn red. Mountain people harvest them to eat as fruit. It is now widely used in medicine because it promotes digestion and strengthens the spleen. [Habitat] (*Tujing Bencao* states): Grows in Chuzhou; now found everywhere.

Junqianzi: Taste sweet and neutral, non-toxic. Primarily stops thirst, removes irritability and heat, and moistens the body. Grows in Hainan. Trees are over one zhang high. The fruit contains juice like milk. *Wu Du Fu* says: "Pingzhong, Junqian." ○ *Haiyao Bencao* states: (Note: Liu Si's *Jiaozhou Ji* says): The fruit contains milky juice, sweet, fragrant, slightly cold, non-toxic. Primarily treats polydipsia (excessive thirst), irritability, and heat; calms the heart and mind. Long-term use delays aging, lightens the body, and enhances complexion. ○ Shaozi: Taste sweet and warm, non-toxic. Primarily treats acute dysentery and coldness in the heart and abdomen. Grows in Lingnan. Fruits resemble chestnuts; skin, flesh, and kernel resemble lychee. *Guang Zhi* says: Shaozi leaves resemble chestnut leaves with thorns. Cutting the skin reveals white fat inside like lard; taste is sweet and sour. Some say the kernel resembles lychee. ○ Tanzi: Taste sweet, astringent, and neutral, non-toxic. Eating raw primarily treats watery diarrhea; eating cooked with honey relieves cough. Fruit resembles pear. Grows in Jiangnan. *Wu Du Fu* says: "Tanliu resists frost" refers to this. ○ Various fruits contain toxins: Peach and apricot kernels are both toxic. Eating unripe pit fruits in the fifth month causes carbuncles and alternating chills and fever. Furthermore, autumn and summer fruits fallen on the ground and eaten by harmful insects cause humans to suffer from nine types of leaking sores. Eating peach blossoms causes strangury (painful urination). Plum kernels should not be eaten with eggs, as this causes internal stagnation and indigestion.

Non-toxic. Naturally grown.

Huma (Sesame) (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*): Treats internal injury and emaciation; tonifies the five viscera; benefits qi and strength; grows muscle; fills marrow and brain. Long-term use lightens the body and prevents aging. (The above red text is from *Shennong Bencao Jing*) Strengthens bones and tendons; treats metal wounds; stops pain; and treats deficiency-heat and emaciation/fatigue after severe vomiting in cold damage or warm malaria. Brightens the eyes; withstands hunger and thirst; prolongs life. (The above black text is recorded by famous physicians) [Names] Tengzhi, Hongzang, Fangjin. [Seedling] (*Tujing Bencao* states): Stems resemble hemp; leaves are round and sharp, glossy, and edible when tender. Daoists often eat them. According to *Guang Ya*, Tengzhi is Huma. Tao Hongjing states: Those with square stems are called Jusheng; those with round stems are called Huma. Su Gong states: Fruits are pods; eight-edged ones are Jusheng; six-edged or four-edged ones are Huma. Thus, Jusheng and Huma appear to be two different substances. Some say it originally grew in Hu lands and resembles hemp, hence the name Huma. However, immortal recipes include methods for consuming both Huma and Jusheng, with slight differences in function, similar to how Tianxiong and Fuzi are distinguished. Currently, for seasonal use, those that are solid, flat, small, and three-edged are Huma; those that are four-edged, slightly larger, and square are Jusheng. These are currently the most important medicines for consumption. Another variety resembles hemp; leaves are like perilla but narrower and pointed; stem is square, 4-5 chi high; blooms yellow flowers; forms pods like sesame but smaller; color yellow; commonly called Huangma. The actual seeds are black like leek seeds, fine grains, bitter taste like gallbladder, lacking oil content. This is modern oil sesame, not this Huma. (*Yanyi* states): Various explanations of Huma vary; it simply refers to modern sesame, with no other meaning. Its seed likely originated from Dayuan, hence "Hu" (barbarian/western) sesame. Sesame from Hu lands today is plump, with patterns like magpies, and purple-black color, showing such distinctions. Oil yield is also higher. Hence the poem says "eating Huma under pine trees," which is undoubtedly a grain for consumption, identical to white sesame oil. Just as Chuan Dahuang, Chuan Danggui, Chuan Shengma, Shangdang Renshen, Qizhou Banxia are named by region, they should not be considered different substances based on origin alone; names are established based on local suitability. Thus, Huma and Baiyouma are one substance. I served as an official in Shun'an Jun, Xiong, and Bazhou, witnessing this personally. Both entries state non-toxic and similar treatments. Today, white oil sesame is indispensable for people. However, it is not excessively cold; careful examination is advised. [Habitat] (*Tujing Bencao* states): Grows in Shangdang river valleys; now found everywhere, mostly cultivated in gardens, rarely wild. (Authentic source) Those from Hu lands are best. [Season] (Growth) Sprouts in spring. (Harvest) Collect seeds in August and September. [Collection] Sun-dried. [Usage] Three-edged seeds are superior. [Color] Purple-black. [Taste] Sweet. [Nature] Neutral. [Qi] Qi is stronger than taste, belonging to Yang. [Odor] Fragrant. [Main Action] Nourishes the five viscera, strengthens bones and tendons. [Processing] (Lei Gong says): To process one jin, first wash with water, discard floating seeds, drain and dry the sinking ones. Mix with wine, steam from Si hour to Hai hour, spread out and dry. Pound in a mortar until the coarse outer skin is removed. Stir-fry with adzuki beans until the beans are cooked, then remove the beans. Keep the thin inner skin, as efficacy lies in the husk. Another method: Nine steaming and nine sun-drying cycles. [Treatment] (Therapy) (*Yaoxing Lun* states): For patients with metrorrhagia, blood stasis, and wandering pathogens, crush raw, add to decoction, squeeze juice, and drink. (*Rihua Zi Bencao* states): Treats postpartum emaciation and stops palpitations. (*Bielu* states): Chew raw and apply to infants' head sores, impetigo, malignant sores, and women's genital sores. [Tonification] (*Rihua Zi Bencao* states): Tonifies the middle and benefits qi; withstands cold and heat; treats consumptive disease. ○ Leaves made into bath water moisturize hair, smooth skin, improve blood color, and promote hair growth. [Combined Therapy] Combined with white soybeans and jujubes, processed by nine steaming and nine sun-drying, made into pills. Eating them reduces hunger, prolongs life, and allows grain avoidance. ○ Combined with Xanthium sibiricum powder taken orally treats wind-type leprosy. [Contraindications] Improperly steamed Huma causes hair loss. ○ Raw vegetable form.