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(Ass silkworm moth) enters the Kidney channel, supplements Mingmen Fire (Gate of Vitality Fire), and benefits Essence and Qi.

The male silkworm moth (specifically targets the Mingmen). It is the male offspring hatched from eggs laid after two silkworms have mated. Its taste is salty, and its nature is warm. Its disposition is most lustful; it mates immediately upon emerging from the cocoon. Various texts record that it can treat impotence (erectile dysfunction), increase Essence, strengthen willpower, enhance fertility, and allow for sexual intercourse without fatigue. Externally applied, it treats various sores, eliminates scars, stops hematuria, and warms the Kidneys. This is likely due to its lustful nature aiding Yang, and its salty-warm properties entering the Kidney. Therefore, in *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), this herb is used to treat male impotence. One pill is taken per night. (Take two sheng of silkworm moths, remove wings and feet, roast lightly over low fire until yellowish, grind into powder, form pills the size of paulownia seeds with honey, and swallow with wine.) Use Changpu (Acorus tatarinowii Rhizome) to restrain it. However, this is only indicated for cases seeking conception due to impotence. If those with Yin deficiency and hyperactive Fire use it as a means for licentious play, their Yin will be further depleted while Fire becomes more vigorous. Is it possible to avoid rapid death? Thus, ancient tonifying formulas rarely list it, fearing people might use it as a tool for self-destruction. The un-mated male is preferred. Ash from mulberry paper (silkworm excrement paper) burned can be applied to treat gan gangrene (noma). (Mix ash of mulberry paper with musk and honey, apply externally to treat gan gangrene; adding calcined alum improves efficacy.) It also treats mania, weeping, and crying caused by evil influences.

Feng Chuzhan said: "Heaven generates Water with One," thus the Kidney is the source of all things and the treasure of the human body. Alas, people often destroy this source themselves, causing the root to become unstable, leading to labor-heat (deficiency heat). Heat causes depletion of Essence and Blood, resulting in emaciation, weakness, lower back pain, soreness of the legs, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, fever, cough, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, deafness, spermatorrhea, hematochezia, Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst) with dribbling, loss of voice, throat sores, and dry tongue. These symptoms all manifest because of this. Without nourishing Water and suppressing Fire, one cannot control the scorching intensity of the pathogenic heat. My commentary: There are many categories of herbs that nourish Water, but none are as orthodox as Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix). Di Huang is warm in nature and moistening in texture, dark in color and heavy in substance, allowing it to enter the Kidney to nourish Yin and rescue congenital Essence. As for herbs with slightly cold flavor and property that assist Di Huang in removing bone-steaming and abdominal masses/malaria-like syndromes, there are Gui Ban (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) and Gui Jiao (Colla Testudinis). The glue (Gui Jiao) is superior to the shell (Gui Ban). To assist Di Huang in tonifying muscle and moistening skin to eliminate depletion syndromes, there are Ren Ru (Human Milk) and Zhu Rou (Porcine Meat); meat differs from milk. To assist Di Huang in unblocking bowels and treating dryness syndromes, there are Huo Ma Ren (Cannabis Fructus) and Hu Ma (Sesami Fructus); Hu Ma is better at benefiting blood than Huo Ma Ren. When Water deficiency leads to unclear vision, Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus) should be added. When Water deficiency leads to difficult urination or retained fetus, Dong Kui Zi (Malvae Semen) and Yu Bai Pi (Ulmus Cortex) serve as assistants. When Water deficiency fails to dispel wind-dampness, Sang Ji Sheng (Taxilli Herba) is used. When Water deficiency results in Heart-Kidney non-interaction, Sang Piao Xiao (Mantidis Ootheca) and Gui Ban are assistants. When Water deficiency causes impotence, Chu Shi (Broussonetiae Fructus) is added. When Water deficiency leads to weak sinews and bones, Dong Qing Zi (Ilicis Cornus Fructus) is an assistant. When Water deficiency results in insufficient Essence and Qi, Yan Wo (Nestor's Swiftlet Nest) is used. When Water deficiency causes blood heat with vomiting or epistaxis, Gan Di Huang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix) is added. [Note: Text says "Jian bu ruan" - hard not soft, context implies pathological rigidity or specific dysfunction]. When Water deficiency leads to timidity and inability to calm, Ci Shi (Magnetitum) is an assistant. When Water deficiency causes Qi to fail to consolidate and Blood to fail to circulate, Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) is added. When Water deficiency causes dysphagia and inability to eat, Hei Qian (Plumbum) is used for treatment. However, Hei Qian is the essence of Water. Whenever Di Huang fails to produce a tonifying effect, Hei Qian must be used to suppress and anchor, guiding Water back to its northern position, thereby benefiting Water. Yet, this should only be employed when Fire is excessive and Water is dried up. If both Fire and Water are deficient, one should instead add warm-natured herbs to warm the Kidney; otherwise, the harm to the patient will be severe.