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Astringent, calms fright.
Taste astringent, nature cool. Calms the heart and settles the soul (Hun). Treats adult spasms, epilepsy, high fever, and mania; pediatric five frights and twelve types of epilepsy (*Weisheng Baojian* states: Longchi [Dragon Teeth] calms the Hun, Hujing [Tiger Eyes] stabilizes the Po. Dragon belongs to Wood, governs the Liver, and the Liver stores the Hun. Tiger belongs to Metal, governs the Lung, and the Lung stores the Po). Its actions are the same as those of *Longgu* [Dragon Bone].

Unblocking, promotes water metabolism.
Taste sweet, nature neutral. Directs water qi downward, promotes urination. Treats cough with rebellious qi, beriberi (Jiaoxie), jaundice, and edema during pregnancy (Ancient formulas for treating edema include Carp Decoction and Carp Porridge. Liu Hejian stated: Carp treats water retention, duck promotes water metabolism; this is referred to as mutual influence of their natures).
Carp bone calcined to ash treats fishbone impaction in the throat.

Tonifies Earth, harmonizes the Stomach.
Taste sweet, nature warm. All fish belong to Fire, but only Crucian Carp belongs to Earth. Earth controls Water, thus it has the effects of harmonizing the Stomach, solidifying the intestines, and promoting water movement (When consumed as food, it treats beriberi and rebellious qi). Avoid consuming with *Maidong* [Ophiopogonis Radix], mustard greens, rock sugar, and pig liver.

Tonifying, regulates the Stomach.
Taste sweet, nature neutral. Opens the appetite and aids digestion, treats acute dysentery with abdominal distension (*Shuyuan Zaji* states: Dysentery strictly forbids greasy and raw/cold foods; only dried white fish is suitable. Because it lacks grease and is not cloying, it can digest retained food and regulate the intestines and stomach). It refers to dried white fish (*Baixiang*). The head contains a stone, hence the name (The stone from the Stonehead Fish treats stone strangury. Note by Ang: Nowadays, people often use the swim bladder of the Stonehead Fish combined with *Pogu Zhi* [Psoraleae Fructus] etc., made into pills named Yubiao Wan [Fish Bladder Pill], claiming it warms essence and seeds offspring. Yet *Bencao* does not mention this at all, why?).

Drains heat, treats eye diseases.
Taste bitter, nature cold, color green. Enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. Treats eye diseases; applied topically to the eyes reduces redness, swelling, nebula, and pterygium. Swallowing saliva helps expel phlegm-saliva in throat obstruction (Houbi); applying externally treats burns/fire sores; also treats fishbone impaction. Collected in the twelfth lunar month, dried in shade.

Drains heat.
All gallbladders are bitter, except for the Snakehead Fish gallbladder which is sweet (Note by Ang: The taste ultimately retains bitterness). For patients dying of severe throat obstruction, instilling the gallbladder juice leads to recovery; for deep-seated disease, dilute with water and administer orally. Commonly known as Black Fish, or Seven-Star Fish (It has seven stars on its head, facing the North Star at night; Daoists call it "Water Repeller". Wild geese are "Heaven Repellers", dogs are "Earth Repellers". *Weisheng* song says: Geese fly in order, dogs show righteousness; Black fish bows north knowing ministerial propriety. If humans lack propriety and eat them, Heaven, Earth, ghosts, and gods will not approve. Yang Gong's *Yifang Yaoyao* states: On New Year's Eve at dusk, take one large black snakehead fish and two or three small ones, boil soup to bathe the infant, ensuring all seven orifices are washed. This can prevent smallpox. Do not wash away the scent with clear water due to dislike of the smell. If you doubt this, leave one hand or foot unwashed; when smallpox erupts, the unwashed area will have more pustules. This was passed down by an extraordinary person, do not try it lightly. *Shiyi Xinjing*: Snakehead fish over one jin, cooked with winter melon and scallion whites as soup, treats ten types of water qi disorders).