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(Sound: suo, *Haiyao Bencao*)
[Correction] Transferred from the Wood section to here.
[Names] Poluo Mi (Sound: xiang).
Li Shizhen said: This character is not recorded in rhyme books. Only Sun Mian's *Tang Yun* notes under the character "Sha" saying: "The tree resembles Arenga pinnata." Therefore, this character should be written as "Sha" of "Sha Yi" (sedge cloth). Its leaves spread out like the shape of sedge cloth, hence called Sha. Zhang Bo's *Wu Lu · Geography Record* states that the Poluo Mi tree in Jiaozhi has white powder in its bark like rice bran; when dried and pounded into powder, then leached with water, it resembles flour and can be made into cakes for eating. This is exactly this tree. Later people erroneously wrote it as "Sha", merely because the pronunciation is similar. Yang Shen's *Zhi Yan* claimed that Poluo Mi is Arenga pinnata, which is incorrect. According to Zuo Si's *Wu Du Fu*: "There is Arenga pinnata flour." It also says: "Wen, Poluo Mi, Zhen, Poluo Mi are all one thing; they should not be used twice."
[Collection of Explanations] Su Song said: According to *Shu Ji*, the Poluo Mi tree grows in eight commanderies in the south. The tree is about ten zhang high, with a trunk circumference of four or five wei. Leaves grow at the top, arranged on both sides like bird wings. There is white flour-like substance in the bark, which is pounded, sifted into cakes, or ground into crumbs for making rice. Locals call it Poluo Mi flour, which is light, smooth, and delicious, superior to Arenga pinnata flour.
Chen Cangqi said: The Poluo Mi tree grows in valleys in Lingnan. In larger trees, several hu of powder can be obtained from inside the bark, yellowish-white in color.
Li Shizhen said: According to Liu Xinqi's *Jiaozhou Ji*, the Dougou tree resembles palm, and powder comes from the wood like Arenga pinnata flour, which can be made into cakes. I suspect this is the Poluo Mi tree.
Poluo Mi Flour
[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, neutral/warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Tonifies deficiency and cold, aids digestion (Li Shizhen).
Warmly tonifying. Long-term consumption prevents hunger and promotes longevity (Chen Cangqi).

(*Bencao Gangmu*)
[Names] Nang Jie.
Li Shizhen said: "Poluo Mi" is a Sanskrit term. It was borrowed as a name because the fruit is sweet. People in Annam call it Nang Jia Jie, Persians call it Po Na Suo, and Europeans (Fulin) call it A Sa, all referring to the same thing.
[Collection of Explanations] Li Shizhen said: Poluo Mi grows in Jiaozhi, Nanbang, and other countries. It is now also found in Lingnan and southern Yunnan.
The tree is five or six zhang high, resembling Ilex cornuta but darker and glossier. The leaves are extremely smooth and clean, remaining evergreen throughout winter and summer. The tree bears fruit only when the trunk reaches the size of a dou. It fruits without flowering, bearing fruit among the branches. There may be more than ten or fewer than five or six fruits per tree. They are as large as winter melons, wrapped in thick skin resembling a chestnut burr with soft spines. When ripe in May or June, each weighs five or six jin. After peeling off the outer shell, the inner flesh is layered like orange segments. It tastes extremely sweet like honey, filling the room with fragrance. Each fruit contains hundreds of seeds, as large as dates. The kernels inside resemble yellow chestnuts and are excellent when boiled or roasted. Among fruits, only this and the coconut are the largest.
Pulp
[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, fragrant, slightly sour, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Quenches thirst, relieves irritability, revives from intoxication, benefits qi, and enhances complexion/luster (Li Shizhen).
Kernel within the Seed
[Properties and Flavor] Same as pulp.
[Indications] Tonifies the middle jiao and benefits qi, prevents hunger and promotes lightness/agility (Li Shizhen).