Library

(Mountain Fruit) Generates Phlegm, Assists Qi, Resolves Heat

Juice Pulp of Citrus reticulata (specifically enters the Lung and Stomach meridians). Although it belongs to the same plant as the peel, its nature is drastically different. The peel tastes pungent and bitter, possessing the functions of dispersing phlegm, opening stagnation, and regulating Qi; whereas the pulp changes to a sweet and sour taste, thereby more likely to assist in generating phlegm and forming fluid retention, and causing harm by obstructing Qi movement. (The daughter of Xu Jianzhang from Jinxian County, Xiuying, suddenly suffered from extreme shortness of breath, eyes rolling back, and hands clenched, showing signs of losing control. Huang Gongxiu diagnosed her pulse: the right Guan position was floating, slippery, and wiry, indicating an internal knotting of Phlegm-Qi and Cold. He tentatively administered juice extracted from old ginger first. Within no time, the chest oppression opened, and breathing normalized. Later inquiry revealed the cause was eating the citrus pulp.) As for books stating it can treat Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst syndrome), open the appetite, and remove Diaphragmatic Qi stagnation, this applies only to cases where internal heat is extremely hyperactive and Stomach Qi is not cold. If one has Yin deficiency and weak Spleen, leading to cough, and consumes this indiscriminately daily, how can one avoid the drawback of generating phlegm and assisting Qi? Nowadays, patients with Deficiency Consumption who like to eat this food mostly suffer harm; people are simply accustomed to it without noticing. However, if prepared with honey as a fruit preserve, it is beneficial.

(Fruit) Raw stops Stomach thirst, Cooked causes intestinal stagnation

Trapa natans (specifically enters the Intestine and Stomach meridians). Although there are many varieties. (Wang Ang said: There are differences in shape (three-cornered or four-cornered) and maturity (old or tender). *Wuling Ji* states: Three-cornered and four-cornered ones are Trapa, while two-cornered ones are Euryale ferox. The flowers turn following the moon's phases.) Their tendency to cause Qi stagnation is identical. Even if books mention benefits such as calming the middle, resolving water retention, stopping thirst, resolving alcohol intoxication, treating malaria and dysentery, as well as theories that red varieties purgative and white varieties tonify, raw lowers and cooked raises, these merely serve as food items and have little therapeutic value. Moreover, excessive consumption carries the risk of abdominal fullness and distension, damaging Yang Qi, and causing penile flaccidity. One must use decoctions of Moschus, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and Evodiae Fructus, or grind Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum into juice to guide out the stagnation. This serves as evidence that it is sweet in taste and cold in nature, aiding dampness and increasing stagnation. The claim that its nature is neutral seems unreliable.

(Fungi) Benefits Stomach, Promotes Appetite

Lentinula edodes (specifically enters the Stomach meridian). An excellent delicacy among foods. Generally, mushrooms inherit the heat toxins of the earth; only Lentinula edodes is sweet in taste and neutral in nature, greatly benefiting the Stomach, aiding digestion, and regulating urinary incontinence. This is because they grow on mulberry and paper mulberry trees, deriving their essence from the residual moisture of these trees. (Some grow on rotten maple wood in deep mountains, smaller and thinner than common mushrooms, yellowish-black in color, with a very fragrant and delicious taste.) However, its nature is extremely cloying and sticky. It is beneficial for those with Middle Jiao deficiency, but for those with Middle Jiao Cold or food stagnation, it inevitably adds to the harm. The best quality is selected from winter harvests, with thick, fine flesh resembling the size of a coin.