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(Shudou) Nourish the Stomach and Support the Kidney
Jiangdou (Vigna unguiculata var. sesquipedalis; Cowpea) [specifically enters the Kidney meridian, and additionally enters the Stomach meridian]. Its taste is sweet and salty. Its nature is neutral and non-toxic. According to Li Shizhen, Jiangdou can be used as a vegetable, fruit, or grain, with the widest range of applications, making it a superior grade among beans. It is also stated that when Jiangdou flowers and forms pods, they hang down in pairs, embodying the meaning of "Xi Kan" (repeated danger/yin-yang interplay); the bean shape is slightly curved, resembling the human kidney, hence referred to as the "grain of the Kidney," which aptly explains its therapeutic action. Therefore, for deficiency and damage of Kidney Qi, reliance on this herb is essential. (Consuming Jiangdou with a small amount of salt is very effective.) Furthermore, since its taste is sweet and nature neutral, entering both the Kidney and Stomach, it can regulate conditions such as insufficient Stomach fluids, persistent thirst, vomiting and regurgitation, diarrhea and dysentery, frequent urination, and poisoning from wild herbs, thereby calming all these symptoms through its sweet property. (The *Xiu Zhen Fang* records: For those poisoned by *Ranunculus ternatus* (Shu Mang), drinking decoction made from Jiangdou resolves the toxicity. To test this, one may first cut the shoots of *R. ternatus*, sprinkle them with Jiangdou juice, causing the roots to rot and preventing regrowth.) The texts record no contraindications for various diseases, except for edema, which should avoid it. When tonifying Kidney Qi, excessive consumption is not advisable.

(Zao Niang) Clear Excess Stomach Fire; Overconsumption Generates Cold and Disturbs Qi
Tofu (Doufu) [specifically enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians]. It is made by grinding beans into a paste and adding gypsum or brine. Its nature is not warm; thus, texts record its taste as sweet and salty, and its qi as cold with slight toxicity. It is believed that cold nature can disturb Qi. If Tofu is consumed excessively, leading to the activation of Cold Qi in the Kidneys and resulting in symptoms such as sores, scabies, and wind-headache, it must be resolved using Radish Decoction (Laifu Tang) or Apricot Kernels (Xingren). (The *Yan Shou Shu* records: A person who loved eating beans suffered from poisoning that doctors could not cure. A tofu maker noted that if radishes were added to the broth, the tofu would not set. Consequently, administering medicine with Radish Decoction cured him. Su Song stated: For conditions triggered by Kidney Qi, sores, scabies, and wind-headache, Apricot Kernels can resolve them.) Only when there is an assault by Stomach Fire, internal heat stagnation and steaming, presenting as polydipsia, distension and fullness, and chronic intermittent dysentery, [is it indicated]. (White Tofu can be boiled and eaten.) For red eyes with swelling and pain, take wind-heat resolving formulas; at night, apply slices of Tofu soaked in salt water (sour浆 Tofu should not be used). For contusions and bruising from beating, apply sliced Tofu frequently changing it; alternatively, apply Tofu boiled in rice wine, changing it when it turns red. For death-like coma from alcohol intoxication: if the heart area is hot, apply hot sliced Tofu over the whole body, changing frequently as it cools. In these cases, Tofu should be used. The statement that it harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach refers to the state of tranquility after fire is extinguished and heat is removed, not to warming tonification for interior deficiency without heat or fire. Bean skin has properties similar to Tofu and can remove macules and pustules opacities (due to its light quality, it can clear opacities). Bean sprouts serve as vegetables, but one must guard against inducing scabies and disturbing Qi (as sprouts have the meaning of growth and ascending).