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[Lüdou (Mung Bean)]
Non-toxic. Lüdou (Vigna radiata, Mung Bean) primarily treats erysipelas (acute skin infection with redness and swelling), irritability and heat, wind-rash, and the rising heat of Ben Tun (a syndrome characterized by gas rushing from the lower abdomen to the chest and heart) triggered by mineral drugs. Take the juice extracted from raw, ground beans, or consume them boiled to reduce swelling, direct Qi downward, clear heat, and resolve stone toxicity. When used medicinally, do not remove the skin, as doing so may cause slight Qi stagnation. The skin is considered cold in nature while the flesh is neutral. There is also Chi Dou (Zhi Dou, Adzuki Bean, Vigna angularis), which treats cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea; take the leaves, crush and extract the juice, mix with a small amount of vinegar, and take warm. Its seeds can also direct Qi downward (recorded in *Mingyi Bielu*).

[Green Bean Seedlings]
According to careful observation: Green bean seedlings are one to two chi tall, growing in clumps, with hairy stems and leaves. The leaves resemble those of soybeans but are smaller. They bloom white flowers and form pods in the fifth and sixth lunar months, with five to seven, up to eight or nine, seeds per pod. They mature in the eighth and ninth lunar months. For medicinal use, round, small, green ones are superior. Nowadays, people eat them by removing the skins, which results in slight Qi stagnation, confirming what was stated in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Therefore, if used for treating illness, the skin should not be removed. There is also Zhi Dou seedling; although the seeds look similar, it is a different species.

[Origin] Found everywhere in the North and South.
[Season] Sprouts grow in spring; fruits are harvested in autumn.
[Processing] Sun-dried.
[Medicinal Part] Fruit.
[Color] Green.
[Taste] Sweet.
[Nature] Cold, slow/relaxing.
[Qi/Energy] Thin Qi, Yin within Yang.
[Odor] Heat toxin and wind.
[Usage] For head wind and headache, make into a pillow; sleeping on it brightens the eyes (according to Meng Shen). Grind into juice and boil to drink to stop diabetes-like thirst (Xiao Ke) and remove floating wind (tonifying effect). (According to Ri Hua Zi) It tonifies Qi and thickens the stomach and intestines (according to Meng Shen). It harmonizes the Five Zang organs, calms the spirit, tonifies Qi and strength, moistens the skin and flesh, and can be consumed regularly.

[Baidou / Jiangdou (Cowpea)]
Non-toxic, climbing vine. Baidou (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis, Cowpea) tonifies the Five Zang organs, benefits the Middle Jiao, assists the Twelve Meridians, regulates the center, and warms the stomach and intestines. ○ Leaves benefit the Five Zang organs and direct Qi downward (recorded in *Mingyi Bielu*).

[Name] Jiangdou (Cowpea).
[Seedlings]
According to careful observation: Baidou is the current Jiangdou (Cowpea). It is a climbing vine with leaves resembling those of Hyacinth bean (Bian Dou), but the pods are long. It blooms white flowers and forms pods in the fifth and sixth lunar months, about one chi long, with several seeds per pod. When tender, the whole pod can be eaten as a vegetable. By the eighth and ninth lunar months, the fruits are ripe. People in the North harvest them to cook with rice, hence the name "Fan Dou" (Rice Bean). The tender leaves can be eaten as vegetables and are also good when eaten raw. There is another variety where the seedlings and leaves are similar, but the pods and seeds are purple-black; its therapeutic efficacy for diseases cannot be verified.

[Origin] Found everywhere.
[Season] Sprouts grow in spring; fruits are collected in the eighth and ninth lunar months.
[Processing] Sun-dried.
[Medicinal Part] Fruit, Leaves.
[Color] White.
[Taste] Sweet.
[Nature] Neutral.
[Qi/Energy] Qi is stronger than taste, belongs to Yang.
[Odor] Fishy.
[Main Action] Warms the stomach and intestines.
[Preparation] Remove pods before use.
[Treatment] (Therapy) (According to Sun Simiao) It is indicated for Kidney disease and should be eaten to dispel "Ghost Qi".