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[Flavor and Nature]
Acrid, warm, toxic. (Upon harvesting, wash with fresh water and scrape off the skin and hairs. Cut into pieces the size of beans using a copper knife. Store in a thin cloth bag. Soak overnight in black soybean water. Take out, mix with wine until moist, and steam. Process from Si hour to Hai hour (approximately 6 hours). Dry in the sun to remove toxicity, thus preventing harm. Avoid iron vessels and cow's milk.)

[Indications]
Opens the stomach, aids digestion, directs qi downward. Enhances sexual function without fatigue. Tonifies the fire of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) and Mingmen (Gate of Life). Suitable for those with weak yang, cold essence, and constitutionally frail since birth.

(Those harvested from deep mountains that are large and heavy are superior. Scrape off the coarse skin with a bamboo knife. Soak overnight in rice washing water. Slice. Soak black Feidou (Black Soybean) in water. Line a clay pot with a layer of beans, then a layer of He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix), repeating layers until full. Steam until the beans are cooked, take out, remove beans, and dry in the sun. Repeat this process nine times before use.)

[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, astringent, slightly warm, non-toxic. It is a herb entering the Foot Jueyin Liver Channel and Foot Shaoyin Kidney Channel.

[Indications]
Tonifies blood and qi. Darkens beard and hair. Improves complexion. Long-term use strengthens sinews and bones, tonifies marrow and essence, and prolongs life, preventing aging. White varieties enter the Qi aspect; red varieties enter the Blood aspect. Generally, the Kidney governs storage and conservation, while the Liver governs free flow and discharge. This herb has a warm nature and bitter/astringent flavor. Bitterness tonifies the Kidney, and warmth tonifies the Liver. It can consolidate and preserve essence and qi; therefore, it nourishes blood and benefits the Liver, secures essence and tonifies the Kidney. It is neither cold nor drying, making it an excellent tonic. Long-term use facilitates fertility.

Contraindications: Various bleeding disorders, scaleless fish, radish, Rehmanniae Radix (Di Huang), scallion, garlic, iron vessels.

[Flavor and Nature]
Acrid, warm, non-toxic.

[Indications]
Lung asthma and急促 breathing (shortness of breath). Expels cold, warms the Middle Jiao. Tonifies the Five Zang Organs. Breaks up masses and accumulations. Relieves chest fullness and expands the intestines. Disperses wind qi. Its efficacy is similar to the leaves, but it should not be taken in excess.

[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, cold, non-toxic. It belongs to Yin within Yin.

[Indications]
Headache due to Shanghan (Cold Damage). Restlessness and insomnia (Ao Nu). Irritability, chest fullness, and oppression. Asthmatic panting due to deficiency exhaustion. Directs qi downward and harmonizes the Middle Jiao. Also treats epidemic diseases and pestilential toxins. Fever with vomiting and reflux. Generally, because the nature of the bean is neutral, when processed into Dou Chi (Fermented Soybean), it becomes warm. Thus, it can ascend and disperse. With scallion, it induces sweating; with salt, it induces vomiting; with wine, it treats wind; with Allium macrostemon (Xie), it treats dysentery; with garlic, it stops bleeding. When stir-fried until cooked, it can also stop sweating.