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The lotus root (Ou) always grows in shallow water, extending upwards and penetrating the mud beneath. Its internal structure is characterized by delicate perforations and hidden fibrous vascular bundles; thus, it can enter the blood domain governed by the Heart. Furthermore, its sweet flavor enters the Spleen meridian.

The Chinese water chestnut seed (Jitou Shu / Euryale Seed), also known as Qian Shi, grows in water similarly to the lotus root. It has a sweet and neutral flavor and tonifies the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach), which is similar to the lotus root. However, while the lotus root remains in the water and excels at penetrating mud, the Chinese water chestnut seed is the fruit enclosed within a bract that bears green thorns, and it must face the sun when forming. The lotus root is cold in nature and moistening, whereas the Chinese water chestnut seed is warm in nature and drying. The reason the lotus root serves as a blood-invigorating herb is its ability to penetrate through water and mud; the reason the Chinese water chestnut seed serves as an Qi-regulating herb is its orientation towards the sun to absorb celestial Yang Qi. Due to its cold nature, moistening quality, and penetrating ability, the lotus root can dissipate blood stasis and clear heat. Due to its warm nature, drying quality, and thorny exterior, the Chinese water chestnut seed can dispel dampness and unblock Bi syndrome (painful obstruction).

The Chinese water chestnut seed treats damp-Bi syndrome by virtue of its unblocking properties. However, this unblocking is achieved through astringency; therefore, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* follows this with the statement that it benefits Essence and Qi. In later generations, it was frequently used in prescriptions for seminal emission, leukorrhea, and urinary incontinence, indicating that its function of astringing Essence surpasses its function of unblocking Bi syndrome.

Earth governs the four seasons, and the Earth element in the human body is likewise distributed throughout. Just as Heaven and Earth produce substances to tonify Earth for human use, so too do specific foods serve this purpose. Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) is the fundamental herb for tonifying Spleen Earth, a fact known to all physicians. I propose that Lotus Seed (Lian Zi) tonifies the Earth within the Heart, Coix Seed (Yiyi Ren) tonifies the Earth within the Liver, Chinese Yam (Shanyao) tonifies the Earth within the Lung, and Chinese Water Chestnut Seed (Jitou Shu) tonifies the Earth within the Kidney. Apart from Baizhu, these four items are common dietary staples. This demonstrates that if the "Earth" aspect of the Heart, Liver, Lung, or Kidney is deficient, it can be supplemented through diet. These are my occasional observations, recorded here.

The Cypress tree is the leader among hundred trees; its leaves point uniquely westward, symbolizing the interaction between Metal (West/Lung) and Wood (East/Liver). The seed (Bai Shi) is yellowish-white, tastes pungent and sweet, has a clear fragrance, contains oil but is dry, and although moistening, it is not greasy. Therefore, when the Liver obtains it, wind-deficiency conditions are eliminated; when the Spleen obtains it, damp-Bi conditions are unblocked; when the Lung obtains it, deficiency-type constipation of the Large Intestine is resolved. In the Zhupi Dawan Decoction, Bai Shi is added to treat asthma because lung disease often involves liver pathology. Specifically, irritability and vomiting during lactation in women result from rebellious Liver Qi; rebellion prevents Qi from descending to the Kidney and causes it to rush upward to the Lung. Bai Shi, possessing the descending Qi of the west-pointing direction, can descend Lung Qi to pacify the Liver, thereby calming asthma. This differs from other types of asthma syndromes, hence the medication is also different.