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Non-toxic. Grows in dense clusters.

Buckwheat (Fagopyri Esculenti Semen): Fills and strengthens the intestines and stomach, benefits qi and increases physical strength. Long-term consumption may stir up wind-pathogen, causing dizziness. Consuming it with pork may lead to wind-heat disorders, resulting in the loss of eyebrows and beard. Although it can trigger various ailments, it can counteract the caustic nature of mineral drugs (Dan Shi). It refines and clears turbid impurities from the five zang organs, restores spirit and vitality. For those taking mineral drugs, eating buckwheat rice is beneficial. The method for preparing buckwheat rice: it can be steamed to allow the vapors to escape, or dried in the scorching sun until the husks open, then pounded to remove the husks and cooked as rice. ○ Leaves consumed as vegetables lower qi, benefit the ears and eyes. Excessive consumption causes mild diarrhea. Burning the stalks to ash and using the lye water to wash sores on livestock and the restless hooves of donkeys and horses (Recorded by Famous Physicians). [Seedling] According to strict records: Buckwheat is sown in May on well-tilled land. The seedlings grow one to two chi high. The leaves resemble apricot leaves but have angles; the stems are red and hollow. In July and August, spikes form with small white flowers, gradually bearing fruit, which matures in September. The skin is reddish-black, the flesh is white, and it has three edges, differing from other wheats in harvesting and planting methods. The shape of the grain also differs from common wheat and barley. It is rarely used in medicinal preparations nowadays because it stirs up wind-pathogen and causes dizziness. [Origin] (According to *Tu Jing*): Previously, the specific provinces of origin were not recorded; now it grows everywhere in the north and south. [Season] (Growth) Seedlings emerge in summer. (Harvest) Gather the grains in September. [Storage] Sun-dry. [Usage] Grains and stems/leaves. [Color] Reddish-black skin, white flesh. [Taste] Sweet and neutral. [Nature] Cold. [Qi Property] Thin qi, yin within yang. [Odor] Rotten. [Primary Action] Benefits qi and tonifies the stomach. [Preparation] Pound the grains to remove shells, grind into fine powder for making flour-based foods. Burn the stems to ash and extract the lye water for use. [Treatment] (Tonification) (According to *Tu Jing*): Fills and strengthens the intestines and stomach, benefits qi and increases strength. [Combined Treatment] Mixed with vinegar and applied topically for persistent erysipelas (Chi Dan) in children, wandering erysipelas with redness and swelling, and hot sores with redness and swelling. [Contraindications] Consuming with pork or mutton leads to wind-madness (Feng Lai). Excessive consumption triggers chronic diseases, stirs up wind-pathogen, and causes loss of eyebrows and beard. Do not consume together with Pingwei San or alum; ingestion can be fatal.

Trailing growth.

Hyacinth Bean (Bian Dou, pronounced 'bian'): Harmonizes the middle jiao, lowers qi. ○ Leaves treat continuous vomiting and diarrhea due to cholera-like disorder (Recorded by Famous Physicians). [Name] Magpie Bean (Que Dou). [Seedling] (According to *Tu Jing*): Hyacinth beans are often grown by households along fences, climbing upwards. Each branch produces three leaves, larger than apricot leaves. Flowers bloom in May and June, appearing in purple or white colors. Pods develop beneath the flowers; steamed pods are delicious. However, the beans come in black and white varieties. White ones are warming, while black ones are slightly cold. For medicinal use, white beans are preferred. Black beans are also called Magpie Beans because their black color is interspersed with a white ridge resembling magpie feathers. [Origin] (According to *Tu Jing*): Previously, the specific provinces of origin were not recorded; now it grows everywhere. [Season] (Growth) Seedlings emerge in spring. (Harvest) Gather the beans in autumn. [Storage] Sun-dry. [Usage] Beans. [Color] White. [Taste] Sweet. [Nature] Slightly warm. [Qi Property] Dense qi, yang. [Odor] Fishy. [Primary Action] Clears summerheat and harmonizes the middle jiao. [Preparation] Remove pods, chop finely for use. [Treatment] (Therapy) (According to *Tu Jing*): White beans move wind-pathogen and treat leukorrhea in women. ○ Leaves stop post-dysenteric spasms. Crush one handful fresh, soak in a small amount of vinegar, extract the juice, and drink; recovery is immediate (Ri Hua Zi said). Apply leaves externally for snake and insect bites (Meng Shen said). Beans treat continuous vomiting and diarrhea due to cholera-like disorder (Shi Liao said). Treat nausea and vomiting (Yan Yi said): Cholera-like disorder with spasms. (Tonification) (Ri Hua Zi said): Beans tonify the five zang organs. (Shi Liao said): Long-term consumption prevents graying of hair. [Combined Treatment] Dry flower powder mixed with rice water treats white and red leukorrhea in women. ○ Bean powder mixed with vinegar lowers qi. ○ Leaves boiled with vinegar treat abdominal masses (Jia). ○ Leaf juice mixed with vinegar treats spasms. [Contraindications] Do not consume if suffering from alternating chills and fever. Do not consume if suffering from cold qi disorders. [Detoxification] Resolves alcohol toxicity and pufferfish toxicity, kills all plant and wood toxins. Chew raw or decoct in water for effective results.