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[Phytolaccae Radix]
(Select the root with white flowers. Scrape off the skin with a copper knife. Slice thinly. Soak in flowing water from the east for two nights. Drain and place on a steamer. Layer with one layer of black soybean leaves and one layer of Phytolaccae Radix, steaming alternately like this. Steam from Wu hour to Hai hour. Remove and discard the bean leaves. Sun-dry and chop for use. If bean leaves are unavailable, substitute with beans.)
[Properties and Flavor]
Acrid, neutral, toxic. Sinking and descending, yin nature.
[Indications]
Edema, hernia, mass accumulation, bi-syndrome. External application can eliminate carbuncles and swellings. Expels evil spirits and demons. Treats evil qi in the chest. Treats edema, flaccidity syndrome, and bi-syndrome. Abdominal fullness and fluid retention. Unblocks the five zang organs. Disperses fluid qi. Drains out ten types of water diseases. Obstruction of throat due to bi-syndrome. Thinly sliced and stir-fried with vinegar, applied externally to the throat with good effect. Promotes urination and defecation by unblocking the large and small intestines. Drains gu poison. Induces abortion. Swelling and toxic sores. Applied to malignant ulcers. However, its nature is descending, specifically used for promoting water metabolism. Although different in properties, it shares similar efficacy with Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba (Daji) and Kansui Radix (Gansui). It should not be used by those with weak stomach qi. The red variety can only be applied externally to reduce swelling; internal administration harms the body. Causing persistent bloody dysentery leads to death. Causes hallucinations of seeing ghosts and gods; caution is essential.

[Sophorae Fructus]
[Properties and Flavor]
Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications]
Evil qi. Sudden epigastric and abdominal pain and fullness. Directs qi downward. For black skin wind, gan tooth decay, and "wild chicken hemorrhoids," combined with Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi), it is effective. Regulates primordial qi. Removes qi stagnation. For Hong Kong foot (gouty arthritis) and knee swelling, decocted soup for washing. Spikenard (Nardostachys Chinensis Radix et Rhizoma) is aromatic and can open spleen depression. Added in small amounts to spleen and stomach formulas, it greatly awakens spleen qi.

[Galla Chinensis]
(Also known as Galla Chinensis. When using, avoid copper, iron, and fire shock. Select small particles without rice-like cores. Grind thoroughly in a clay mortar with sour rice water. Dry over low heat, grind again until it resembles the color of black rhino horn before incorporating into medicine.)
[Properties and Flavor]
Bitter, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications]
Red and white dysentery. Lubricates intestines and generates flesh. Cold dysentery due to intestinal deficiency. Benefits blood and generates essence. Harmonizes qi and calms the spirit. Darkens beard and hair. Treats yin toxicity and flaccidity. Burned to ash for use. Warms the middle. Treats yin sores and yin sweating. Pediatric gan accumulation. Cold diarrhea with incontinence.

[Sophorae Fructus]
(When using, select red, plump, and non-bored pods. Soak in fresh well water for one night. Scrape off the rough skin with a copper knife. Roast repeatedly with clarified butter until thoroughly penetrated. Pound to remove the seed strings. For every liang of Sophorae Fructus, use 5 qian of clarified butter. There are also other methods such as honey-roasting, butter-roasting, juicing, and burning to ash, each according to specific instructions.)
[Properties and Flavor]
Acrid, salty, warm, slightly toxic.
[Indications]
Sophorae Fructus belongs to Metal and enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Metal overcomes Wood. Dryness overcomes Wind. Therefore, it also enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian to treat wind-wood diseases. Its flavor is acrid and nature is dry; its qi is floating and dispersing. Blown or guided into the nose, it unblocks all orifices above and below. Ingested, it treats rheumatic wind-phlegm asthma, swelling and fullness, and kills parasites. Applied topically, it dissipates swelling and detoxifies. Searches out wind and treats sores.
Antagonistic with (Ophiopogonis Radix - Maidong). Feared by (Azurite - Kongqing, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma - Renshen, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix - Kushen). Subdued by (Cinnabaris - Dansha, Calomel - Fenshuang, Sulfur - Liuhuang, Arsenicum Rubeum - Sha).
[Seeds]
(Select round, hard, and non-bored seeds. Boil thoroughly in a vessel. Peel off the hard outer skin, take the two inner white fleshy parts, remove the yellow center, slice with a copper knife, and sun-dry for use. The yellow part consumes kidney qi.)
[Properties and Flavor]
Acrid, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications]
Stir-fry and pound to remove the red skin. Soak in water until soft. Cook thoroughly and preserve in sugar for consumption. Unblocks wind-heat congestion in the five zang organs. The white meat inside the seed, when used in medicine, treats lung conditions. Chewing the yellow heart inside the seed treats phlegm in the diaphragm and acid regurgitation. Harmonizes blood and moistens the intestines. Treats wind-heat and constipation due to large intestine deficiency. Scrofula, swelling, toxic sores, tinea, and psoriasis. Burning the seed to retain its character treats dry stool constipation. Its nature becomes slippery when wet; slipperiness naturally resolves dryness and obstruction.
[Spines]
(Also known as Tianding.)
[Properties and Flavor]
Acrid, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications]
Simmer young spines in rice vinegar to make a paste; applying it to tinea and psoriasis has miraculous effects. Treats carbuncles, mastitis, leprosy, and malignant sores. Facilitates the expulsion of the placenta. Kills parasites. However, Sophorae Fructus spines can guide the properties of other herbs upward, treating upper jiao diseases. They can also guide medicinal power to the site of ulcerated carbuncles and sores, enhancing efficacy.