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Sour and astringent, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen and Kidney meridians.
It acts as the lock and key for Yuan Jing (Primordial Essence), securing the root of storage and sealing during hibernation. It firmly secures the granaries, assisting the authority of transportation and transformation.
Jinyingzi (Cherokee Rose Fruit) is astringent and not beneficial for Qi movement. Danxi stated: “The meridians and pathways should be smooth and unobstructed to maintain harmony. Ignorant people, fond of its ability to secure essence, take it, leading to other pathologies, failing to achieve tranquility; who shall bear the blame? Although, taking it without cause to indulge desires is inadvisable. If taken by those with seminal emission, what fault is there?”

Sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. Remove the pedicel, steam with wine.
Secures essence and controls urination, benefits the lower jiao's storage and sealing. Strengthens Yin, beautifies complexion, tonifies deficiency, and heals severe injuries.
It can benefit the root of closure, storage, and sealing during hibernation, thereby reducing urination. Because one must cover the urinal when taking it, it is named so.
Fupenzi (Rubus Chingii Fruit) is astringent; contraindicated for those with difficult urination.

Salty and slightly astringent, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridients. Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb) serves as an assistant.
Averse to Mahuang (Ephedra Herb), Xinyi (Magnolia Flower), and Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit). Fire-roast and quench with child’s urine.
Secures essence, astringes both bowels and bladder, stops sweating, prevents metrorrhagia and strangury. Clears irritability and fullness in the chest, resolves phlegm condensation into scrofula. Cures leukorrhea in women, treats deficiency consumption with vexatious heat.
For Shanghan (Cold Damage) with alternating chills and fever, seek appropriate treatment; do not omit Wen Nue (Warm Malaria) and Jing Hui (Fear and Anger).
Ge Fen (Clam Powder): Made from Clam Shell powder.
The powder has the same function as Muli (Oyster Shell). The meat stops thirst and resolves alcohol intoxication.
Muli (Oyster Shell) and Gelai (Clam) both come from the sea. Generally, marine products are salty and cold. Thus, their functions are similar. Freshwater clams and mussels, not soaked in salt water, can only clear heat and promote dampness drainage, but cannot soften hardness.
Suitable for deficiency with heat. Contraindicated for those with cold.

Salty, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Kidney meridian. Averse to Xuanfuhua (Inula Flower), steamed thoroughly, then baked again.
Why worry about impotence and weakness if it arouses yang? Why not hope for nourishing essence and producing offspring if it benefits Jing and Qi?
These are the eggs of the Mantis; those from mulberry trees are best.

Sweet and bland, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Heart, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, and Small Intestine meridians. Malin (Iris Laevigata Rhizome) serves as an assistant. Averse to Mumeng (likely a typo or obscure term, possibly referring to specific herbs like Pueraria or others depending on context, here kept as Mumeng), Diyu (Sanguisorba Root), Qinjiao (Gentiana Macrophylla Root), and Guijia (Tortoise Shell). Avoid vinegar. Produced in Yunnan; white and solid ones are best. Peel off the skin and membrane before use.
Benefits the Spleen and Stomach, promotes urination, eliminating water-dampness. Stops vomiting and stabilizes diarrhea, benefiting Qi mechanism. Descends to attack the Kidney, causing phlegm from overflowing water to descend.
Zhongshou (Central Guardian) calms the Heart, making it difficult for Qi of worry and fright to invade. Protects the Lung, stabilizes cough, calms the fetus, and stops Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst). Fushen (Poria with Pine Root) wraps around the root; its main uses are the same, but it uniquely governs calming the Spirit.
Chi Fuling (Red Poria) is red; its efficacy is slightly inferior, but its ability to drain dampness is stronger.
Fuling (Poria) forms from the residual Qi of pine. Emerging from nothing, it obtains the essence of Kun (Earth), serving as a crucial herb for the Spleen. Suwen states: “When drink enters the Stomach, its refined Qi floats and overflows, moves up to the Lung, regulates water passages, and descends to the Bladder.” Therefore, diuretic herbs all ascend first and then descend. Thus, Jiegu stated it ascends, while Dongyuan stated it descends; neither contradicts the other. Regarding frequent urination, its sources vary. Suwen says: “Excess Lung Qi causes frequent urination; deficiency causes urinary enuresis. Heart deficiency causes shortness of breath and urinary enuresis. Lower Jiao deficiency causes urinary enuresis. Heat transmitted from the Bao Luo (Uterine/Bladder Collaterals) to the Bladder causes urinary enuesis. Incontinence due to Bladder failure to constrain causes urinary enuresis. Jueyin disease causes urinary enuresis.” What is called “Excess Lung Qi” refers to Excess-Heat. Fuling is suitable to drain this heat. Hence it is said: “It can stop frequent urination.” If Lung deficiency, Heart deficiency, Bao Luo heat, or Jueyin disease are present, these are all Deficiency-Heat. There must be Upper Heat and Lower Cold; the method should be raising Yang. For Bladder failure to constrain and Lower Jiao deficiency, it is like fire thrown into water; water springs will not be contained, inevitably leading to cold limbs and slow pulse. The method requires warm-hot herbs; none of these can be treated with Fuling. Hence it is said: “Deficient-Yin individuals should not use it.”
Fushen grows wrapping around the root, having the meaning of reliance and guardianship; thus, for those whose Hun (Ethereal Soul) does not reside in its abode, it is used to calm the Spirit. Red enters Bing and Ding (Fire elements), merely guiding towards red.
Patients with involuntary urination, or those with Deficiency-Cold and seminal emission, must not take it.