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The flavor is acrid and warm, with slight toxicity. It treats interior cold by warming the middle, directs rebellious qi downward, alleviates pain, eliminates dampness and blood stasis obstruction (Bi syndrome), expels wind pathogens, opens the interstices (cou li), and treats cough with counterflow of qi as well as alternating chills and fever.

(Wu Zhuyu [Evodiae Fructus] is abundant in various places, particularly in Jiangzhe and Shuhan. The tree grows over one zhang high; its leaves resemble those of the Toona sinensis but are broader and denser, appearing purple. In March, it bears small red-purple flowers. From July to August, fruits cluster heavily like Sichuan pepper seeds but lack kernels. They are slightly yellow when tender and deep purple when ripe. Grown predominantly in the Wu region, it derives its name from this location. Harvested on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, dried in shade, aged specimens are superior. Prior to use, soak in boiling water once or twice to remove toxic vapors.)

Both Shan Zhuyu [Corni Fructus] and Wu Zhuyu inherit the qi of Wood and Fire. By inheriting Fire qi, they warm the middle jiao. By inheriting Wood qi, they direct qi downward. When the middle jiao is warmed and rebellious qi descends, pain ceases naturally. "Dampness and blood stasis Bi" refers to dampness injuring the muscle interstices, causing the blood that nourishes the skin and warms the flesh to stagnate, resulting in Bi syndrome. The hot qi of the Shaoyang channel circulates within the muscle interstices. Since the Liver governs the Chong and Ren vessels' blood, and Wu Zhuyu has a bland taste that penetrates the skin, dampness and blood stasis can be eliminated. Furthermore, "expelling wind pathogens" implies that once damp-Bi is resolved, wind pathogens can also be expelled. Due to its acrid and warm flavor, it opens the interstices. Once the interstices are open, lung-related cough with counterflow of qi and skin-related alternating chills and fever are both treated.

The flavor is sweet and neutral, without toxicity. It treats malaria (nüe), detoxifies gu-zhu (a chronic wasting disease caused by insect toxins or epidemic qi) and other ominous pathologies, and promotes urination. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging.

(Zhuling [Polyporus] was originally found in the valleys of Hengshan and in Ji Yin and Yuan Ju. It is now also produced in Shuzhou and Xizhou. It is the sclerotium growing on maple trees, with black skin and white flesh. *Shuji* states: In the south, there is an old maple tree known as Fengzi Gui Mu, which resembles a human form and is also called Ling Feng, likely because carving deities upon it brings spiritual efficacy. *Erya Zhengyi* notes: Fengzi Gui is a parasite on maple trees, with branches two to three chi high; applying mud to it during drought induces rain. Xun Bozi's *Linchuan Ji* records: In Lingnan, old maple trees develop galls resembling humans; upon sudden thunderstorms, they grow secretly by three to five chi, called Feng Ren. Thus, the maple is known as a spiritually potent tree.)

(Note: Tao Hongjing stated: Zhuling is the sclerotium on maple trees. Su Song said: It grows in the soil and does not necessarily require maple roots. Li Shizhen stated: Zhuling is a type of Poria formed by trees. Other trees produce it, but maples are most common. Lu Ziyou said: Among trees, only Pine and Maple have surplus Qi and lipid. Pine retains both Qi and lipid in surplus, whereas Maple converts its surplus Qi into Ling (sclerotium) and does not retain surplus lipid for fragrance. Surplus lipid becomes fragrance; surplus Qi becomes Ling. Ling and fragrance respectively embody the substance and function of Qi and lipid. Synthesizing these views, although Ling exists on other trees, the specimen under the maple tree is best for medicinal use. This is analogous to Sang Jisheng (Mulberry Mistletoe) and Bie Jia (Tartar Turtle Shell), where only specimens from mulberry trees are used medicinally. It is named Zhuling because its shape resembles pig feces. The maple gall grows secretly during thunderstorms, and applying mud induces rain, indicating it is a tree governed by Water essence. Freshly unearthed Zhuling carries a sweet taste. Since Ling possesses a bland and permeating nature, it is described as sweet and neutral. "Malaria" here refers to Yin malaria. Its ability to treat malaria stems from inheriting Water essence qi to support Spring generation qi, allowing Yin malaria pathogens to ascend and dissipate with the generative qi. Detoxifying gu-zhu and ominous pathologies occurs because Ling inherits the essence of the maple tree,結s in the central earth, obtains Earth qi to detoxify, and inherits essence to resolve gu-zhu and ominous pathologies. With a sweet, neutral, and bland-permeating nature, it promotes urination. Long-term consumption distributes Water essence throughout the body, thereby lightening the physique and delaying aging.)