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[Translation of Dengxin Cao (Juncus Effusus)]
[Harm] The medicinal property is specifically for promoting unblocking and draining. It is not suitable for individuals with deficiency and collapse syndromes, and should not be taken by those with middle-jiao cold syndrome presenting with involuntary urination.
[Benefit] It is bland in taste and neutral in nature, clearing the Heart fire, draining the Small Intestine fire, and promoting diuresis. Burned to ash and blown into the throat, it treats throat obstruction (hou bi). Applied to the breast, it stops night crying in infants.
[Processing] For medicinal use, raw material is preferred. The outer layer should be peeled off, using the raw stem to calm the mind and nourish the Heart. It can be mixed with Cinnabar (Chensha) or used in pills and powders. The pith of the stem is dyed with starch paste, dried, and ground into powder. When placed in water and clarified, the floating portion is the true Juncus medulla.

[Translation of Lianzi (Nelumbo Nucifera Seed)]
Also known as Lianyi.
[Harm] The seed has astringent properties. It should not be taken by those with dry stool. Consuming too much raw seed may slightly cause Qi stagnation and abdominal distension.
[Benefit] The green plumule (Qixin) within the seed is bitter and cold, clearing Heart fire and removing heat. The seed flesh is sweet, neutral, and astringent, entering the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. It facilitates the interaction between Water and Fire, harmonizes the Heart and Kidney, and pacifies the ministerial fire pathogenic factors. It thickens the intestines and stomach and arrests slippery discharge due to diarrhea and dysentery. Frequent use can consolidate essence; excessive consumption brings joy. Ancient formulas for treating non-interaction between Heart and Kidney, and white turbidity due to overwork, include Lianzi Qingxin Yin (Lotus Seed Decoction for Clearing the Heart). Ruilian Wan (Auspicious Lotus Pill) is used to tonify the Heart and Kidney.

[Translation of Shilianzi (Stone Lotus Seed - aged Nelumbo nucifera seed)]
[Harm] It is a heavy, yin-natured substance. It should not be taken by those without damp-heat but suffering from deficiency-cold.
[Benefit] Bitter and cold, it clears the Heart, removes vexation, opens the appetite, eliminates damp-heat, and is specifically indicated for anorectic dysentery (jinkou li). It is also needed for strangury and turbid urine syndromes.
[Processing] Collect those that are hard and black like stone in the eighth and ninth lunar months, obtained by breaking open the old lotus pod. Those that have fallen into water and sunk into mud are superior. Currently, many shops substitute them with fruits from trees in Guangdong, which are extremely bitter and unsuitable for medicine. The genuine product is sweet, with a bland and slightly bitter taste, and should be crushed before use.

[Translation of Anxi Xiang (Benzoin Resin)]
[Harm] It should not be used if the disease is not caused by invasion of evil Qi.
[Benefit] Pungent, aromatic, and bitter, with a neutral nature, it enters the Heart meridian. Taken as a powder, it promotes Blood circulation, directs Qi downward, calms the Spirit, and can dissolve gu poison. The Heart houses the Spirit; when the Spirit is confused, evil pathogens invade. The Heart governs Blood; when Blood is stagnant, Qi flow is obstructed. Therefore, by calming the Spirit and promoting Blood circulation, it treats these conditions.
[Processing] "Anxi" refers to a country name. Some say it is named so because it wards off evil spirits. It originates from Western regions (Xifan). The tree is called Pixie (Evil-warding). Its resin condenses into a shape resembling peach gum. It is harvested in autumn. The genuine product can attract mice when burned.