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Huangyao Gen (Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae), originally growing in the Lingnan region, is now also found in the mountains of Kuizhou, Xiazhou Commandery, as well as Mingzhou, Yuezhou, Qinzhou, and Longzhou Prefectures, with those from Zhongzhou and Wanzhou being considered superior. It is a vine plant, three to four chi tall; its roots and stems are as thick as small mulberry trees, and the roots are harvested in the tenth lunar month. Those produced in Qinzhou are called Hongyaizi (Red Ya Zi), with leaves resembling buckwheat leaves and reddish branches and stalks, blooming white flowers in the seventh lunar month. When freshly harvested, the roots are red when wet, turning yellow after sun-drying. Kaizhou and Xingyuan Fu also produce a variety called Kuya Zi (Bitter Ya Zi), which is generally similar to Huangyao. It treats pathogenic qi in the five zang organs, addresses lung conditions, suppresses heat, eliminates irritability, and is also used in veterinary medicine for horses. The roots are harvested in spring and dried in the sun. Below is an entry for Yaoshi Gen (Root of Dioscorea bulbifera var. sativa), stating it grows in the valleys of Shu Commandery. Su Gong stated: It is the same as Ya Zi, using its kernel. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* erroneously recorded "root," suspecting it to be the fruit of Huangyao. However, the text describes leaves like apricot leaves, red-and-white flowers, and sour-tasting pulp, which differs from Huangyao. It is rarely used today, so it is appended here. Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Yueling* records: To treat sudden-onset yin disease (goiter) lasting one or two years, use half a jin of Huangya Zi from Wanzhou, selecting those that are dense and heavy as premium quality. If light and hollow, they are from other prefectures, have weaker efficacy, and require double the dosage. Take one dou of wine without ash impurities, put the herbs inside, seal the bottle mouth tightly, and roast over chaff fire for the duration of a meal. Let it cool, then open when the wine is cold. The patient should drink one cup occasionally, ensuring the scent of alcohol is not completely lost. After three to five days, the patient should frequently check themselves in a mirror; stop drinking once the swelling subsides, otherwise, it may cause the neck to become too thin. Liu Yuxi's *Chuanxin Fang* also records its efficacy, stating he learned of it from Zhang, an official in Yongzhou, who witnessed effective results and tested it himself with miraculous verification. The prescription is essentially the same, with minor differences. Specifically, when heating the wine, stop when the aroma escapes and moisture appears at the bottle neck, without needing to wait overnight. The fire should not be too intense. The wine contains ash.

Yaoshi Gen is detailed under the entry for Huangyao.

Guolang (Arenga pinnata), grows in the valleys of Lingnan and is now present in Guangzhou and Erzhou commanderies, often planted by households in courtyards. Its trunk resembles palm but is harder; when chopped, it yields a starchy flour, with large specimens weighing several shi, edible and satiating. Its bark is extremely soft and tough, suitable for making ropes. Its fruits grow in spikes at the tree tips and can be harvested at any time. (*Lingbiao Luyi* states: Guolang wood has lush foliage, slightly different from jujube and betel nut. However, there are root-like fibers beneath the leaves resembling coarse horse tails; people in Guangdong harvest these to weave headscarves. These fibers are particularly suitable for soaking in saltwater, becoming swollen and tough, thus used for binding ships instead of nails and thread. The wood texture is like bamboo, purple-black with grain patterns, processed by craftsmen to make game boards. Additionally, when newly made into hoe blades, it is sharp as iron, even sharper when striking stone, but only breaks when hitting banana or coconut trees.)