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The flavor is pungent and sweet, the nature is neutral, and it is non-toxic. It primarily treats the healing of severed injuries, supplements deficiencies, boosts qi and strength, and makes the body robust and strong. *Bielu* (Additional Records) states: Long-term consumption brightens the eyes, lightens the body, and prolongs life.

(Tusizi [Cuscutae Semen] is named "Yunu" in *Erya* and "Nuluo" in *Shijing*. It originally grew in the rivers, marshes, and fields of Korea, likely inheriting the yin energy of water and growing from the east; it is now found everywhere. The vines sprout in summer, spreading like threads over the ground, unable to stand upright on their own; they climb by winding around other plant stems. Their roots detach from the soil, parasitizing in the air. They have no leaves but bear flowers with a penetrating fragrance. The fruits are small, resembling chaffy beans, and yellow in color. The processing method involves washing away sand and mud with warm water, soaking in wine for one night, drying in the sun, and crushing for use. Another method involves soaking in wine for four to five days, steaming and drying four to five times, grinding into cakes, and baking dry for use.)

Generally, seeds of herbs and trees can only germinate after receiving the cool and moist energy of water. Tusizi, upon receiving the hot and fiery energy of boiling water, sprouts thread-like shoots. This is because its nature is purely yin, and it germinates upon receiving heat energy. Its pungent and sweet flavors correspond to the heavenly and earthly transformations of the Hand and Foot Taiyin meridians (Lung and Spleen). Being parasitic in the air with winding stem threads, it primarily treats the healing of severed injuries. By healing severed injuries, it supplements deficiencies. By supplementing deficiencies, it boosts qi and strength. By boosting qi and strength, it makes the body robust and strong. The rabbit is the essence of the bright moon; thus, long-term consumption brightens the eyes. When yin essence is nourished and offered upwards, longevity is achieved; thus, it lightens the body and prolongs life.

The flavor is bitter, the nature is slightly cold, and it is non-toxic. It primarily treats blood stasis with fright-wind, eliminates alternating chills and fever, tonifies the middle jiao, and benefits lung qi. *Bielu* (Additional Records) states: Long-term consumption is beneficial to people.

(Shashen [Adenophorae Radix], also known as Baishen, is named so due to the white color of its root. It is also known as Yangru. Commoners call it "Yangponai" (Sheep's Grandma Milk) because breaking its root or stem releases a white juice. It originally grew in the valleys of Henei, as well as Yuanju and Banyang. It is now found in Ziqi, Lusui, Jianghuai, Jingzhou, Luzhou, and mountainous plains everywhere. It prefers to grow in sandy areas near water.)

Shashen grows in sandy areas near water. Its nature is entirely cold, bitter yet containing sweetness, hence described as slightly cold. Its white color and juicy texture indicate it inherits the essential qi of Metal and Water. "Blood stasis with fright-wind" occurs because Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is deficient internally, leading to blood stasis and frightful qi. "Chills and fever" occur because Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) is deficient externally, leading to disharmony of the muscle surface and resulting in chills and fever. "Tonifying the middle" refers to replenishing the essential fluids of the Middle Jiao. By tonifying the middle, blood stasis and fright-wind can be treated. "Benefiting the lung" refers to benefiting Lung Qi at the level of the skin and hair. By benefiting the lung, chills and fever can be eliminated. The reason for this is that it inherits the essence of Water to tonify the middle, and inherits the essence of Metal to benefit the lung. Long-term consumption harmonizes blood and qi, ensuring harmony between Ying and Wei, thus being beneficial to people.

In my opinion: *Benjing* (Shennong Bencao Jing) records that Renshen (Ginseng) has a sweet flavor, while Shashen has a bitter flavor, and both are slightly cold in nature. Later authors changed Renshen to slightly warm and Shashen to sweet-flavored. They did not realize that although Renshen is sweet, it contains a slight bitterness, hence described as slightly cold. Shashen is entirely cold, bitter yet containing sweetness, hence described as slightly cold. The ancient sages had profound intentions in their statements. Later generations failed to reflect and examine them, arbitrarily altering the classics, which causes the greatest harm to people.