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(Parasitic Plants) Tonify the Liver and Kidneys, dispel Wind-Dampness, strengthen sinews and bones.
Sangjisheng (Taxi Herba [Visci Herba]) (specifically enters the Liver and Kidney meridians). It grows by absorbing the essence of the Mulberry tree. Its taste is bitter and sweet. Its nature is neutral and harmonious, neither cold nor hot. It is hailed as a crucial agent for tonifying the Kidney and nourishing Blood.
Since the Kidney governs bones and hair, and also governs Blood: Bitter flavor enters the Kidney; when the Kidney is tonified, sinews and bones become strong, preventing flaccidity, numbness, soreness, and pain. Sweet flavor nourishes Blood; when Blood is nourished, hair receives irrigation and does not wither or fall out. Therefore, whether internally involving lower back pain, severe bone and sinew diseases, threatened miscarriage, or abortion, or externally involving traumatic injuries, skin conditions, and Wind-Dampness, which one does not rely on this as the primary treatment? However, only those growing on Mulberry trees are authentic. (Must be self-harvested, or those connected with Mulberry leaves can be used.) The stems and leaves should be finely chopped and dried in the shade, avoiding fire. When taken, its efficacy is like magic. If parasitic on other trees, their nature and Qi differ, which may cause harm instead.

(Fragrant Wood) Nourish Heart Blood.
Baiziren (Platycladi Semen [Biota Seed]) (specifically enters the Heart meridian). Pungent, sweet, neutral, and moistening. Books state it tonifies all four Zang organs, but upon investigation, it essentially belongs to the Heart organ. Although fragrance can tonify the Spleen, it actually opens orifices and enters the Heart. Moisturizing can tonify the Liver and benefit the Kidney, but it actually calms the Spirit and stabilizes wisdom. Sweetness is sufficient to harmonize the Stomach and secure the Middle Jiao, but it actually benefits Blood and allows the Spirit to reside. Thus, Wind-Dampness can be dispelled, fright and epilepsy can be treated, evil influences can be repelled, and skin can become lustrous. One sees only a tranquil spirit and comfortable Qi, with clear hearing and vision, without the affliction of withering, dryness, and roughness. However, its nature is very lubricating. (All seeds/nuts are moistening.) Those with Yin deficiency and cold diarrhea must strictly avoid it. Its Qi is fragrant and dispersing; those with weak constitution and flourishing Fire must also avoid it. Claims that it prevents hunger and aging, extends life, and lightens the body, although found in classics, should still be viewed flexibly, not dogmatically. Steamed and then sun-dried until it cracks naturally. For medicinal use, stir-fry, grind, and remove oil. It fears Chrysanthemum.

(Shrubs) Dongqingzi tonifies the Liver, strengthens sinews, tonifies the Kidney, and strengthens bones; Nüzhenzi tonifies Kidney Water and lubricates the intestines and stomach; Gouguizi tonifies the waist and knees, regulates blood loss.
Dongqing (Ligustrum Lucidum Fruit [Glossy Privet Fruit] - *Note: Text distinguishes Dongqing from Nüzhen, but traditionally Dongqing often refers to Ilex chinensis or Ligustrum lucidum depending on context; here text says Dongqing is "Dongqing tree" and Nüzhen is "Wax tree". Standard TCM Dongqing Zi is usually Ligustrum lucidum, but the text contrasts them. I will translate based on the text's distinction.*) (specifically enters the Liver and Kidney meridians). Nüzhen and Gougu, recorded in Materia Medica, belong to different plants. For example, Dongqing is what is commonly called the Frozen Green Tree today; Nüzhen is what is commonly called the Wax Tree today; Gougu is what is commonly called the Cat Thistle today. Dongqing and Nüzhen have abundant flowers and plentiful fruits, hanging heavily on the branches, preferred by storks and orioles in winter. Their wood texture is white, leaves are dense, soft, and long, green on the front and pale on the back, similar in shape and color. However, Nüzhen leaves are 4-5 cun long, and fruits are black; Dongqing leaves are slightly round, and fruits are red, which is the difference. People today do not know that Nüzhen is the Wax Tree, merely calling it Dongqing because it is lush, causing two plants to share a name. If Nüzhen has white wood, long leaves, lush greenery, five thorns on leaves, and fruits like Dongqing's crimson red, leading to confusion where this plant is listed under Nüzhen.
Ultimately, discussing these three together: Dongqing is bitter, sweet, and cool. Although books say it tonifies the Liver, strengthens sinews, tonifies the Kidney, and strengthens bones (*Jian Ji Fang*: Take Dongqing tree fruits on Winter Solstice, soak in salt wine overnight, steam nine times and sun-dry nine times, store in a bottle, take 70 pills with wine on an empty stomach daily, and again before bed), its tonification also includes clearing properties. Nüzhen is bitter and neutral. According to books, it is a superior article for tonifying deficiency, able to nourish Water and darken hair. As used in ancient formulas with Hanliancao (Ecliptae Herba) and Sangshenzhi (Mori Fructus) to treat deficiency consumptive diseases. However, one must examine if the Spleen Qi is solid and thick; if slightly involving deficiency-cold, it will inevitably cause diarrhea. Gougu is bitter and neutral. Books state it can tonify the waist and knees, and treat labor injury and blood loss. (Use several jin of Gougu, remove thorns, add 2-3 jin of Red Dates, boil into paste, preserve with honey.) It is also a substance that nourishes Water and cultivates Essence. But its nature is mostly Yin and not drying; suitable for Yin deficiency, but detrimental to Yang deficiency. Branches and leaves can be juiced and boiled into paste to apply to vitiligo. The fat/oil can also be used to catch sparrows. These three medicines have different flavors and odors. Generally inferring from the red and black colors of their fruits: roughly, red color enters the Liver to nourish Blood, black color enters the Kidney to nourish Water; red color enters the Blood level to regulate Blood, thus effective for blood loss and blood stasis; black color tonifies Essence and transforms into Blood, thus effective for darkening beard and hair. However, red and moist nature is Yin, combined with Yang; black and moist nature is purely Yin without admixture. Hence, books say Nüzhen tonifies the center and calms the Zang organs, yet discusses its extreme Yin-cold nature. All these seem similar but are different; it depends on careful examination in daily life to avoid losing the way at the critical moment. Harvest in winter, soak in wine, steam and moisten, then sun-dry for use.