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Flavor: Pungent, Warm. Toxicity: Greatly toxic. Indications: Wind-cold-induced cough and rebellious qi with pathogenic factors; cold-dampness-induced tendon contraction; knee pain with inability to walk; breaking up masses and accumulations (Zheng Jian Ji Ju); treating blood masses (Xue Jia) and metallic wounds (Jin Chuang).

(Adouzi (Fuzi, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) is of the best quality when produced in Mianzhou, Sichuan. Although available elsewhere, those from other regions are thin in quality and unfit for use. Mianzhou administers eight counties, but only Zhangming County produces Adouzi. Zhangming County administers twenty townships, but only Chishui, Lianshui, Changming, and Huichang four townships produce Adouzi, among which the produce from Chishui township is considered the best. The herb initially planted and matured is Wutou (Aconiti Radix), shaped like the head of a crow. The rootlets attached to the mother root, though connected in position but not physically fused, are called Adouzi, resembling a child attached to its mother. The smaller lateral branches growing from the side are named Cizi (Cizu, Aconiti Lateralis Radix lateralis). Those that grow alone without attachment, measuring three to four cun in length, are named Tianxiong (Tianxiong, Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix). The superior grade of Adouzi is characterized by a squatting posture, regular nodes, and few lateral buds; those with many nodes and tubercles are secondary; those with irregular shapes, scars, defects, or wind-wrinkled surfaces are inferior. Regarding color, variegated white is superior, black is secondary, and green is inferior. Commonly known as "Black Adouzi," this name distinguishes it by its black color from Baifuzi (Bai Fu Zi, Typhonii Rhizoma).

Adouzi possesses a robust constitution and warm-natured properties, hence its great toxicity. Most herbs listed in the Lower Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing* are greatly toxic or toxic, which aligns with the statement in *Suwen*: "Toxic drugs attack pathogens." Attacking pathogens restores righteous qi; thus, attacking is a form of tonifying. Adouzi is pungent and warm, growing in Chishui, Zhangming, thereby inheriting intense heat energy to augment the Biao-Yang (Superficial Yang) of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) channel and assist the fiery heat of Shaoyang (Lesser Yang). When the Yang-heat energy of Taiyang does not circulate through the skin and hair of the entire body, wind-cold cough and rebellious qi arise. Since Adouzi augments Taiyang's Biao-Yang, it treats these conditions. When the fiery heat energy of Shaoyang does not circulate through the muscle joints, cold-dampness tendon contraction and knee pain with walking difficulty occur. Since Adouzi assists Shaoyang's fiery heat, it treats these syndromes. Zheng Jian Ji Ju (masses and accumulations) result from deficient Yang qi and internal coagulation of cold qi. Xue Jia (blood masses) refer to pathological accumulations formed by the gathering of Yin blood. Jin Chuang (metallic wounds) refer to ulcerations caused by knife or axe injuries. Adouzi's warm nature disperses Yin-cold, and its Yang-fire energy promotes tissue regeneration, thus treating all these conditions.

The *Classic* states: "Herbs grow in five colors; the variations of the five colors are countless. Herbs grow in five flavors; the excellence of the five flavors is inexhaustible. Heaven provides humans with the Five Qi, and Earth provides humans with the Five Flavors." Therefore, regarding celestial timing, one should prepare substances according to the ruling annual climate; regarding terrestrial advantages, one must adhere to the suitability of the five directions and five soils. Adouzi produced in Zhangming and Chishui is superior because it obtains the concentrated essence of the local soil. The Yang of Taiyang corresponds to the Water of Heavenly One, originating in the Bladder water reservoir and manifesting clearly (Zhangming). The Yang of Shaoyang corresponds to the Fire of Earthly Two, originating in the Lower Jiao fire and shining like the sun across the sky. The place names "Zhangming" (Manifest Clarity) and "Chishui" (Red Water) seem to cleverly correspond to these elemental associations. Students wishing to understand the subtleties of drug properties, the suitability of production in different regions, and the intent behind ancient naming conventions should contemplate these aspects carefully and not neglect them. Currently, Shaanxi also cultivates Adouzi, known as Xi Fu (Western Fuzi). Its nature is pungent and warm, but its potency is slightly weaker than that produced in Sichuan, where the soil is rich and the power is robust. Furthermore, the prepared Adouzi sold individually in modern pharmacies are mostly of the Western type. Because Sichuan Adouzi is expensive, merchants sell it whole for profit rather than sliced; users must be aware of this.

When internal Fire qi is depleted and external Yang qi scatters, one must urgently use prepared (Pao) Adouzi to assist the source of Fire, ensuring the Shen-Ji (Spiritual Mechanism) ascends rather than collapses downward, and circulates cyclically rather than escaping outward. Treating at this subtle stage yields quick results. Regrettably, contemporary physicians often fail to understand medical principles and disease mechanisms, waiting until the pulse is faint or absent, limbs are cold, and the Spirit has departed while the Soul remains, before deeming Adouzi appropriate. Adouzi treats diseases; how can it treat destiny? Some practice medicine their entire lives yet view Adouzi as a viper or scorpion. They warn others: "Adouzi must not be taken; it causes madness and bleeding from the nine orifices; it generates excessive heat and sudden carbuncles; it rots the internal organs internally, causing delayed toxicity." Alas! If such physicians encounter indications for Adouzi, how would they treat them? Would they claim incompetence to avoid responsibility, or admit their shallowness and recommend capable practitioners? Instead, they treat day after day until the patient's vital energy changes irrevocably, then attempt rescue. At that point, even immortal elixirs cannot save them. Virtuous practitioners, feeling compassion and unable to stand by and watch death, may ask whether to administer Adouzi for rescue. If effective, it is merit; if ineffective, it is not the fault of successors. Preceding physicians, fearing successors might succeed, hope for the patient's death to shift blame, claiming death resulted from taking Adouzi. Alas! Do such physicians have conscience? Physicians ignorant of classic principles are like cattle wearing clothes—what kind of doctors are they?

If using Adouzi, the raw material should weigh over one liang to ensure potency. The weight of Cizi (lateral roots) must be excluded. Locals sometimes increase weight by flattening Cizi onto the main root with wood, so a total weight of 1.5–1.6 qian including Cizi is preferred. Locals also fear southern cultivation, so they soak the herb in Rongyan (Rong Salt, likely rock salt) before flattening. Since Adouzi naturally lacks salty flavor, the salinity comes from this soaking process. The method for preparing Adouzi involves peeling off the skin and navel with a knife, cutting into four pieces, slicing, soaking twice in boiling water to remove salt and toxicity, drying until half-dry, and stir-frying in a copper vessel until cooked. In antiquity, substances were prepared according to the ruling annual climate; if Fire ruled the year, warm and hot drugs were prepared. The *Classic* states: "Preparing according to the annual climate yields concentrated essence; failing to do so results in scattered qi." Later generations could not prepare in advance as in antiquity, leading to the practice of fire-roasting Adouzi. In recent times, boiling Adouzi in children's urine became common, an error passed down through generations, accepted as custom without recognizing its falsity.