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[Leiwan / Polyporus]
Taste and nature: Bitter, cold; slightly toxic.
Main actions: Kills the "three worms" (intestinal parasites), expels toxic vapors, clears heat in the stomach. Beneficial for men, but not beneficial for women.
(Note: Leiwan is produced in Hanzhong, Jianping, Yidu, Fangzhou, Jinzhou, and other places. It grows in the soil under bamboo forests and is formed from the residual qi of bamboo, hence also known as Zhuling (Bamboo Poria). It has no stems or vines above ground, is as large as a chestnut, resembles Zhu Ling (Alisma) but is rounder, has black skin with a slight reddish tint, and white flesh that is very solid.)

Leiwan is the residual qi of bamboo, generated by sensing thunder and lightning. The stems and leaves of bamboo are green and lush, embodying the generative meaning of the East. Zhen (Thunder) represents thunder, which is yang moving from below. Leiwan possesses bitter and cold properties, inheriting the essence of winter's cold water, and acquiring the qi of eastern vibration. Therefore, it kills the yin-type "three worms" and expels pathogenic toxic qi. Having inherited the essence of cold water, it clears heat in the stomach. Zhen represents thunder and also the eldest son; thus, it is beneficial for men but not for women.
(Commentary: *Bencao Jing Jizhu* states that long-term consumption of Leiwan causes impotence. This is likely because its bitter and cold nature, when consumed over a long period, leads to coldness in the essence. Excessive consumption by men causes impotence; therefore, long-term consumption by women would cause coldness in the uterus, leading to infertility, making its detrimental effect on women evident. *Shennong Bencao Jing* divides this into two points: "Beneficial for men, not beneficial for women," the rationale of which is unclear. Ma Zhi stated that it disperses the primordial qi of men but does not disperse the viscera qi of women. Yinan explained it using the concept of Zhen as thunder and eldest son, but these interpretations are inadequate and require further reference.)

[Dai Zhe Shi / Hematite]
Taste and nature: Bitter, cold; non-toxic.
Main actions: Treats Guizhu (a chronic wasting disease attributed to spirits), Zeifeng (evil winds), Guduh (gu poison); kills evil spirits and demons; treats toxic pathogenic qi in the abdomen; and treats Chiwu Louxia (leukorrhea or metrorrhagia in women).
(Note: Dai Zhe Shi was named Xuwan in *Shennong Bencao Jing* and Xueshi (Blood Master) in *Bencao Jing Jizhu*. When ground, it produces a vermilion color and can be used for writing, hence commonly known as Tuzhu (Earth Vermilion) or Tiezhu (Iron Vermilion). *Guanzi* says: Where there is hematite on the mountain, there is iron beneath. *Beishanjing* says: The mountains of Shaoyang produce fine hematite. *Xishanjing* says: The Guan River originates from Mount Cuishi, containing flowing hematite; all refer to this stone. *Bencao Jing Jizhu* states: Dai Zhe Shi grows in the valleys of Qi State, appearing red and cyan, glossy like a rooster's comb. Those that do not wear down when scratched by fingernails are considered good. Currently, it is found in mountains throughout Daizhou, Hedong, and Jiangdong, with those from the northwest being of superior quality.)

Zhe Shi (Hematite) is the essence of iron. Its color is cyan-red, and its taste and nature are bitter and cold. It inherits the essence of water and stone while undergoing the transformation of wood and fire. It treats Guizhu, Zeifeng, and Guduh because its red color belongs to Fire, acquiring the hot qi of Shaoyang, thereby causing Guizhu to dissipate. Stone nature is heavy and sedating; its cyan color belongs to Wood, acquiring the wind-wood qi of Jueyin, thus treating Zeifeng and Guduh. Killing evil spirits and demons serves to treat Guizhu. Treating abdominal toxicity serves to treat Guduh. Treating pathogenic qi serves to treat Zeifeng. Dai Zhe Shi, also known as Xueshi (Blood Master), can regulate the blood of the Chong and Ren meridians, thus treating Chiwu Louxia in women.