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[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, bitter, warm, slightly toxic. Almonds with two kernels are lethal to humans and can be used to poison dogs. Its action is sinking and descending, belonging to Yin. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.

[Indications]
Treats cough with rebellious Qi and asthma; moistens the lungs, resolves food stagnation, and disperses stagnant accumulations. Wang Haogu treated cases of cold damage where cold Qi rebels upward causing wheezing by adding Xingren (Prunus Armeniaca Seed) and Chenpi (Citrus Reticulata Pericarp) to Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction). If there is rebellious Qi but no wheezing, the dosage of Xingren and Chenpi should be reduced, clarifying that Xingren has the function of draining Lung Qi. Furthermore, Li Dongyuan stated: Xingren lowers asthma and is used to treat Qi disorders; Taoren (Prunus Persica Seed) stops mania and is used to treat Blood disorders. Although both kernels can treat constipation, difficulty defecating during the day belongs to disharmony of Yang Qi, while difficulty defecating at night belongs to lack of moisture in Yin Blood. One must also know that Xingren specifically acts on the Qi level. When the pulse is floating indicating a Qi-level issue, use Xingren assisted by Chenpi; when the pulse is floating indicating a Blood-level issue, use Taoren assisted by Chenpi. The reason Chenpi is used in both cases is that the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian are exterior-interiorly related. The贲门 (Cardia) governs the passage of Qi, and the 魄门 (Anus) governs closure. Thus, Wang Haogu stated that the Lung and Large Intestine form a channel system.

(Wipe off the yellow-white hairs with a cloth, soak in the urine of an uncircumcised boy overnight, dry in the sun, and use.)

[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. The nature is slightly warm, representing slight Yang within Yin. It can ascend and descend. It enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.

[Indications]
Nourishes Blood and benefits sinews; removes wind-dampness from this meridian causing lockjaw (trismus), intestinal wind bleeding, general spasms and stiffness, and pain radiating through the limbs and joints.

Aversion (to Cow's Milk)

[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, pungent, warm, astringent, non-toxic. The action is sinking and descending, representing Yang within Yin.

[Indications]
Promotes digestion of grains, expels water retention, eliminates phlegm, drives out the Three Corpses and Taenia solium (pork tapeworm); treats abdominal distension, promotes urination, treats post-dysenteric heaviness in the lower abdomen and various heart/abdominal pains, and obstruction of stool and urine; wards off miasma. Generally, bitter flavors break up stagnation, and pungent flavors disperse pathogens. Betel nut can drain the excessive Qi in the upper chest and direct it downward; its weight is like iron or stone, capable of driving other herbs to the lowest extremities of the body. Therefore, it is miraculous in treating tenesmus caused by Qi stagnation. In the Lingnan region, it is customary for many to eat betel nuts, taking advantage of their ability to dispel miasma. However, they should only be taken when suffering from miasma. Southerners are accustomed to eating them; would this not damage the Righteous Qi and invite disaster akin to "opening the door to welcome the thief"? Therefore, when used in prescriptions, caution is required, and it should not be abused.