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Jiu Xun (Wine Mushroom)

Grows inside wine jars; it is not common. In households storing wine, among hundreds or thousands of jars, occasionally one jar will be found empty upon opening, with a fungal mass condensed at the bottom.
When this fungus first forms, a thin film like clothing material condenses on the surface of the wine. Over time, it gradually thickens by one or two *cun* (approx. 3-6 cm), becoming capable of permeating and absorbing the wine. It draws all the essence and mellow aroma of the wine into the film, causing the film to thicken further while the wine level decreases. Eventually, the wine dries up, leaving less than one-tenth remaining.
Upon inspection, the film resembles fresh jellyfish (*Rhopilema esculentum*), moist and soft, emitting a wine fragrance with a slight musty odor. Those knowledgeable take it, dry it by roasting, and when dry, it resembles melon rind: the surface is greenish-black, the back is flesh-red, and when wet, it is soft as cotton. It can be used in medicine.
This occurs because wine generates such fungi only if the jar is newly kiln-fired and has not yet lost its "fire qi" (heat energy); furthermore, the location where the wine is stored is steamed by damp-heat, causing transformation within. Therefore, brewers prefer old jars over new ones.
Jin Yucheng returned from Cixi bringing Jiu Xun, showing it to me, stating that it is also rare in his region, occasionally appearing but not often seen.
It treats all conditions caused by alcohol injury, alcohol fatigue, and jaundice due to alcohol, as well as various illnesses arising from drinking. Taking it yields immediate effect.

Mian Dou (Burmese Bean), Huihui Dou (Muslim Bean), Qinghua Dou (Blue Flower Bean), Zhenning Dou

*Chibe Outan* records: Produced in the southwestern frontier regions of southern Yunnan. Its shape resembles seeds within locust pods, slightly larger than common beans. Roasted in tube-shaped tiles to remove the black shell, then ground into powder and taken with plain water, it can permanently eliminate smallpox toxins in children.
Administration method: Scheduled for the 2nd and 16th days of each lunar month. For infants half a year old, administer half a bean per dose; for one-year-olds, one bean; for one-and-a-half-year-olds, one and a half beans, increasing progressively until three years old takes three beans, ensuring lifelong immunity from smallpox. Alternatively, some say to administer according to the twenty-four solar terms, up to twenty-four beans total. Others suggest administering on "Water Closing" days.
*Zhenyi Yaopin* records: Originates from western Yunnan border areas. When smallpox is about to erupt but has not yet appeared, use Shenhuangdou roasted with its shell until dry, grind finely, and take with water.
*Benjing Fengyuan* records: Shenhuangdou originates from Burma, shaped like locust seeds. Recently used in prescriptions to reduce smallpox severity, ground with clear water and taken on the day of "One Yang".
*Douxue Zhuan* records: Shenhuangdou originates from Yunnan, capable of reducing smallpox severity. Take one raw and one cooked bean, chewed and swallowed with Licorice Decoction (*Gancao Tang*).
Ningyang Zhang Yan's *Zhongdou Xinshu* records: When pustules appear from the chest upwards and below the navel, but are completely absent in the middle section, it is called "Two-End Pustules." This indicates Qi and Blood cannot connect upper and lower, with cold toxin stagnating between the waist and navel. If not treated urgently, after seven days, it will turn gray-white (a critical sign). Upon appearance of spots, urgently use *Shengdi Huang* (Rehmanniae Radix), *Danggui* (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), *Chishao* (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), *Jiegeng* (Platycodonis Radix), *Fangfeng* (Saposhnikoviae Radix), *Jingjie* (Schizonepetae Spica), *Houpo* (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), *Xuduan* (Dipsaci Radix), *Baizhi* (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), *Shanzha* (Crataegi Fructus), *Mutong* (Akebiae Caulis), and thirty grains of Shenhuangdou. Taking this formula ensures pustules appear in the middle section, preventing danger.
*Nanzhao Kaobei* records: Produced in Pu'er Prefecture and Yongchang Prefecture. Shenhuangdou reduces smallpox severity; Qinghuadou treats sores/ulcers. A guest brought Shenhuangdou from Yunnan; its shape resembles a fine bamboo tube, three to four *cun* long, rattling when shaken. Inside, it resembles bamboo nodes, layered sheets. Cutting it open reveals pieces like chessmen: white wrapping containing a bean, yellow and shiny, shaped like a gourd seed, with a central line mark, solid and flat. Taking it resolves smallpox toxin.
Note: There are two types of Shenhuangdou. *Baicao Jing* records: Produced in Pu'er Prefecture, Yunnan, and also Sichuan. The pod is slightly shorter than *Lianqiao* (Forsythiae Fructus), containing slightly reddish beans. Those from Yunnan resemble locust pod seeds, slightly larger than fava beans. Roasted on tiles, removing the outer black shell. Though shapes differ due to distinct soil origins, their properties for reducing smallpox and resolving toxins are identical.
*Baoji Fang* records: When smallpox is about to emerge, use Shenhuangdou, one bean per year of age. Peel off the outer shell and inner skin. Roast half on a tile until cooked, leave half raw. Mix with *Yansui* (Coriandri Fructus) decoction and administer. For heavy toxicity, it reduces severity; for light toxicity, it reduces it further. For those over ten years old, no more than seven beans. For those who have not yet erupted, mix with water similarly; it may prevent eruption entirely. Suitable for administration on dates such as the 3rd of March, 5th of May, 7th of July, and 9th of September.