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Amber, see the entry under Poria (Fuling).

Pine resin grows in the valleys of Mount Tai and is now available everywhere. The best quality is transparent and bright, resembling grains of frankincense. Daoists consume it, or compound it with Poria, pine nuts, Biota seed, and chrysanthemum to make pills; all require prior processing. The method is as follows: Place a large cauldron with water over a steamer basket lined at the bottom with white cogon grass, then add a layer of yellow sand about one cun thick on top of the grass. Spread the pine resin on top, heat with mulberry wood fire, and add hot water whenever the level drops to keep it full. Once the resin has completely melted into the cauldron, remove it, cast it into cold water, allow it to solidify, and steam it again. Repeat this process three times until it becomes white as jade, after which it can be used in medicine or taken alone. The seeds and the white bark of the roots also had ancient methods of consumption, but nowadays pine nuts are mostly used as food, and other parts are not heard of as being suitable for medicinal use. The yellow powder on the flowers is called Songhuang (Pine Pollen), gathered by mountain dwellers when timely, brewed as a tea, which is very good. However, it does not store well, so it is rarely sent to distant places. Burning the branches and collecting the dripping liquid below yields Songgao (Pine Pitch, pronounced "jiao"), which treats sores in cattle and horses. The green film on the bark is called Aina Xiang (Ainar Incense), used to blend with other incenses; when burned, its smoke does not disperse. Medical texts state that "Song" refers to five needles; the character "wu" (five) is likely a phonetic error for "wu". It means five needles form one leaf cluster, or sometimes two or seven needles per cluster. Old trees produce abundant seeds; although found in the Central Plains, those from the frontier regions are superior. The entry for Ink (Mo) in the Middle Category does not list its origin province, but since it also comes from pine, it is appended here.

Ink, see the entry under Pine Resin.

Biota seed grows in the valleys of Mount Tai and is now available everywhere, though the best quality comes from Ganzhou. It flowers in March and fruits in September; harvest when mature, steam and sun-dry, then pound and winnow to obtain the kernels. The leaves are named Ce Bai Ye (Platycladi Cacumen); those from Mizhou are especially fine. Although similar to other cypresses, their leaves grow sideways, conferring distinct efficacy. There is no fixed time for harvesting. Zhang Zhongjing's formula for treating persistent hematemesis uses Baiye Tang (Biota Leaf Decoction) as the primary treatment. Take one handful of fresh Biota leaves, three slices of dried ginger, and one stick of prepared Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin). Boil these three ingredients in two sheng of water until reduced to one sheng, strain, mix with one sheng of Ma Tong Zhi (Horse Dung Juice), and boil together to reduce to one sheng. Filter through silk cloth and take all at once. Physicians in Shandong also frequently use Ce Bai Ye, noting its cold nature and pain-relieving properties. Their method involves pounding fresh leaves in a mortar until mushy, mixing with cold water to form a paste, and applying to burns or scalds on adults and children. Secured with cloth bandages, the wounds heal within two to three days, and scars disappear. Additionally, dried leaves are powdered and decocted with Chuan Lian Zi (or rather, Huang Lian - Coptis Rhizome) to treat bloody diarrhea with dark, tea-colored stool or pus-like sediment in men, women, and children, known as Gu Li (Gu Dysentery), showing remarkable efficacy. It can also kill parasites in the five zang organs. Daoists often prepare Biota Leaf Tea for daily consumption to benefit health. Ancient Biota leaves are particularly unique. In Yizhou, within the temple of Zhuge Kongming, there stands a large cypress tree, traditionally said to have been planted during the Shu Han period, leading many to harvest it for medicinal use. Its taste is sweet, and its fragrance is stronger than that of common cypress.