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Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), with a sweet and pungent taste, neutral qi, and non-toxic nature. It enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It eliminates retained food, treats postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis (Erzhen Tong), removes stagnant blood, regulates sores and ulcers, moves Qi stagnation, treats hernia, strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, and dispels abdominal distension resembling drum鼓 (Guzhang). When added in small amounts to boiling meat, it softens the meat quickly; thus, it is particularly effective in digesting meat. It is an essential herb for treating various types of meat indigestion and serves well as an adjuvant or guiding drug.

One might ask: Shanzha only digests meat and is miraculously effective for postpartum abdominal pain; its other merits are unheard of. The response is: Shanzha's functions are not limited to this. Generally, resolving food retention and regulating stagnation are its strengths, while dispelling abdominal distension and treating hernia are its weaknesses.

Some doubt that since Shanzha has both merits and faults, it should not be universally used just because it may harm those with meat accumulation. The response is: Shanzha's merit lies entirely in digesting meat. If those suffering from meat accumulation were forbidden from using it, what else could resolve it? Shanzha's fault lies in over-digesting meat, thereby damaging the Qi of the Zang-Fu organs. However, when used within formulas for tonifying Qi and Blood, it not only excels at digesting meat but also effectively promotes the flow of Qi. Thus, the merit and fault of Shanzha depend entirely on whether it is used correctly.

Some question why such grave warnings are necessary if Shanzha's effects are minor. The response is: Although Shanzha's effect is mild, it causes no harm when used in individuals with robust Qi and strong Yang. However, when used in individuals with deficient Qi and depleted Blood, it can indeed cause damage.

Hutaorou (Juglandis Semen), with a sweet taste and warm qi, is non-toxic. It enters the Kidney meridian. Its moistening property generates Essence, and its astringent property secures Essence. It further benefits Kidney Fire, darkens beard and hair, cures Stone Lin (Shi Lin), and is a warming and tonifying herb for the Mingmen (Gate of Life). It does not necessarily require supplementation with Pogostemonis Herba (Pogu Zhi) to cure lower back pain. It is especially good at calming rebellious Qi. When combined with herbs like Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudihuang), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), its ability to calm wheezing is miraculous. People generally know it only as food and do not realize its efficacy when included in tonic prescriptions, where its success is even more remarkable.

Everyone knows Hutaorou tonifies the Kidneys, but excessive consumption can lead to worm infestation, a fact unknown to the public. Some claim Hutaorou kills worms, yet I say it generates them; is this not an error? Hutaorou kills worms due to its oil content. Any worm coming into contact with oil dies; therefore, oily Hutaorou kills worms. If Hutaorou lacks oil, how can it kill worms? Ancients used Hutaorou with Borax to treat epigastric masses (Pi Jia), not for killing worms, but to guide the medicine to the deepest Yin regions of the Lower Jiao. When administered together with tonic drugs, it will not generate worms and instead provides significant benefit.