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Asarum umbilicus (Tongna Qi), with a salty taste and strongly hot nature, is non-toxic. It treats accumulations and masses (Pi Lei) accompanied by emaciation, as well as extreme exhaustion of the Spleen and Stomach; it breaks up stagnant blood clumps and cold, sour pain in the waist and knees; it repels evil spirits (Gui Qi), prevents nocturnal emissions and sexual dreams involving spirits (Ghost Intercourse), drives away malevolent influences, stops sleep paralysis caused by demonic oppression, dispels cold accumulation, benefits the Primal Yang, ensures firm and sustained erection without decline, and is indeed an essential herb for assisting sexual techniques.

However, since there are many fakes on the market, and females outnumber males, the female has absolutely no efficacy. The male does indeed promote sexual function, but if not combined with herbs such as Renshen (Ginseng Root), Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome), Shanzhuyu (Cornus Fruit), Duzhong (Eucommia Bark), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), Bajitian (Morinda Root), and Rongzong (Cistanche Stem), its efficacy remains mediocre. People favor novelty, often claiming that promoting sexual function requires Asarum umbilicus. Who knows that among medicinal materials, many surpass it, such as Lurong (Deer Antler Velvet) and Haima (Seahorse), which are also excellent.

Asarum umbilicus is a fish, but people mistakenly identify seals as Asarum umbilicus. Consequently, its effect on promoting sexual function is insignificant, inferior to the superior efficacy of Deer Antler Velvet and Seahorse.

Asarum umbilicus lives in the East China Sea. It is highly spiritual and good at hiding, able to foresee human capture attempts, so people rarely obtain it. Its shape is not like a dog; it has a fish head, lacks scales, has a fish-like tail, and possesses four paddles, differing slightly from typical fish. What is called "sea dog" is actually the seal, whose paddles resemble those of Asarum umbilicus. The seal has a mammalian body with fur resembling a leopard and hairy paddles, whereas Asarum umbilicus is hairless. Genuine Asarum umbilicus can induce erections merely by its scent, without needing to be ingested. Seals also possess a lustful nature and can promote sexual function. Therefore, locals use seals to substitute for Asarum umbilicus, resulting in weak effects. Learned scholars should be able to distinguish them.

One might ask: Since no one today has seen Asarum umbilicus, where did you see it to distinguish it so clearly? I reply: Ancient texts can be consulted; why must one personally see Asarum umbilicus? Although I have not seen it, I have seen seals multiple times. Ancients stated: "Asarum umbilicus is a fish." What I saw was a mammal. If not a seal, what else could it be? Moreover, its body resembles a leopard. Thus, I know that what is currently used is not genuine. People's preference for the novel leads them to believe that unobtainable items must have miraculous effects. They often discard Ginseng and Deer Antler Velvet, insisting on obtaining Asarum umbilicus for satisfaction. When they obtain fakes, prepare them into medicines, and take them morning and night, they see no miracle. Unaware of the falsity of their Asarum umbilicus, they sigh over their declining sexual potency, finding even assistance useless. I deeply pity the world for this.

Some suspect that Asarum umbilicus refers to the genitalia under the navel of a seal, and ancients avoided saying "genitalia" (Shi) and said "umbilicus" instead. I disagree. Asarum umbilicus is truly a fish body, not a mammalian body. Are there no such species off the coast of the East China Sea? Yet none are ever caught. If my words lack evidence, is it not lamentable? Nevertheless, when annotating the *Bencao* (Materia Medica), I analyze the principles. If the principle is true, the meaning becomes accurate. Centuries later, if someone obtains it and verifies my words without falsehood, they will believe in my foresight.