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Gejie (Gekko gecko), salty in flavor, neutral in nature, slightly toxic. It primarily treats incessant cough due to Lung deficiency, manages Lung萎 (Lung atrophy/flaccidity), calms asthma and stops coughing, benefits essence and blood, assists Yang function, is effective for persistent hemoptysis, expels Chuan Shi Lao Zhu (a contagious chronic consumptive disease), dispels pathogenic influences adhering to the body, unblocks menstruation, and promotes the smooth flow of water passages. Its miraculous efficacy lies entirely in its tail; if the tail is damaged, it becomes useless. However, it must be combined with Renshen (Ginseng Root), Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit), and Shashen (Glehnia Root) to achieve extraordinary results.

Gejie produced in Western Yue (modern Guangxi) is superior. Those that call eight or nine times at night are considered the best quality. When caught, the tail must be protected; a damaged tail becomes toxic, but the severed tail can still be used.

Gejie excels at consolidating Qi. Holding its tail while moving quickly often prevents panting, making its anti-asthmatic effect truly miraculous.

Lougu (Mole Cricket), also known as Tu Gou. Salty in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. *Ben Cao* states it promotes diuresis, suitable for use targeting upper/lower or left/right areas, though one need not be rigid about this. Using the whole body to promote dampness removal yields miraculous effects. This substance also aids in healing bone injuries and is effective for treating mouth ulcers and breast toxins, but it is unsuitable for patients with deficiency constitutions due to its rapid and overly draining nature.

Man Yu (Eel), sweet in flavor, cold in nature, toxic. It kills various parasites, harmonizes the Five Zang organs, eliminates five types of hemorrhoids, expels wind-dampness infiltrating the waist and back, treats Gu Zheng Lao Zhai (bone-steaming consumptive disease in both men and women), and concurrently treats Hong Kong Jiao (podagra/foot qi), perineal parasitic sores, and continuous metrorrhagia. Consuming it in large quantities is most effective. Burning eel bones to fumigate beds, clothes, and chests kills all insects. It is not a tonic herb, but eating it kills parasites, ensuring the complete eradication of corpse-worms. If a patient with Lao Zhai were to relapse, such treatment would be inadvisable, as it is not tonifying. Generally, preparing it into pills or powders and combining it with Yin-nourishing herbs is optimal.

In treating Lao Zhai, Man Yu works primarily by killing parasites, but a light diet is preferred. Salty flavors enter exclusively into the Kidneys, whereas light flavors penetrate everywhere without restriction.

One might ask: Since Man Yu also kills Lao worms, why is it not used together with Bie (Turtle Shell) prescriptions? The answer is: Although Bie and Man Yu are both parasiticidal substances, their natures differ. Bie tends to attack inwardly, while Man Yu tends to attack outwardly. While they can be used together for unexpected results, when treating bone-steaming heat, they should be used separately rather than together. One seeks to expel, the other to invade; these opposing actions conflict and negate their parasiticidal effects. Moreover, driving parasites out from the bone before killing them is inferior to attacking them internally and exterminating them completely. Therefore, using Bie is superior to using Man Yu. However, if using Man Yu alone as food to kill parasites, Bie is less effective than Man Yu, because Bie meat only tonifies without attacking.

One might ask: Man Yu kills parasites but does not nourish essence; how can it cure bone-steaming disease? Does killing parasites equate to curing bone-steaming? The answer is: Man Yu essentially only kills Lao worms. The complete recovery from bone-steaming disease depends on strong Stomach Qi and appetite, providing nourishing value. If Stomach Qi is stagnant and there are no herbs to fill essence and descend fire, relying solely on Man Yu’s parasiticidal action offers no benefit.