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See the "General Principles" section of the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) for notes.

On the day of Li Dong (Start of Winter), Chrysanthemum (*Chrysanthemi Flos*) and Juniper (*Selaginellae Tenuifoliae Herba*) emerge first; in this period, Yangqishi (Yangqi Stone, likely a mineral) and Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis Egg Case) serve as the "shi" (guiding/auxiliary herbs). These ten substances act as guides, presiding over two hundred grasses, making them primary agents.

On the day of Li Chun (Start of Spring), Magnolia Flower (*Magnoliae Flos*) and Belamcanda Rhizome (*Belamcandae Rhizoma*) emerge first; in this period, Bupleurum Root (*Bupleuri Radix*) and Pinellia Tuber (*Pinelliae Rhizoma*) serve as the "shi". This corresponds to forty-five segments related to headache.

On the day of Li Xia (Start of Summer), Cockroach (*Blattidae*, specifically *Periplanetae Folium* or similar insect parts historically used) appears first; in this period, Ginseng Root (*Ginseng Radix*) and Poria Sclerotium (*Poria*) serve as the "shi". This corresponds to seven key segments in the abdomen, preserving the spirit and maintaining the center.

On the day of Xiazhi (Summer Solstice), Pig Tooth Soap (*Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina* or similar, referred to here as Shishou) and Cornelian Cherry Fruit (*Corni Fructus*) emerge first; in this period, Oyster Shell (*Ostreae Concha*) and Wu Hui (Aconite Lateralis Radix Preparata, specifically toxic forms like Wuhui) serve as the "shi". This corresponds to thirty-two joints of the four limbs.

On the day of Li Qiu (Start of Autumn), Angelica Dahurica Root (*Angelicae Dahuricae Radix*) and Saposhnikovia Root (*Saposhnikoviae Radix*) emerge first; in this period, Asarum Root (*Asari Radix et Rhizoma*) and Shuqi (Sophora Flavescens Root or similar, historically *Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix*) serve as the "shi". This corresponds to twenty-four segments of the chest and back.

(Tao Yuxi stated: "These five entries are from the *Yaodui* (Drug Pairings). Their meaning is profound and not investigated by common people, yet they are the root of comprehensive prescription principles, so I recorded them. Li Shizhen stated: 'This also aligns with the concept of seasonal drugs in the *Suwen* (Basic Questions of the Yellow Emperor). It originates from the ancient Lei Gong’s *Yaodui*, but its deeper meaning was not transmitted. According to Yang Shen’s *Zhiyan*: White-colored materia medica texts are traditionally said to originate from Shennong. Observing the content herein, such as "intestinal murmuring quietly, extreme fatigue causing shivering, hair returning naturally transforming the spirit," and these five entries, the style closely resembles the *Suwen*. It is definitely not something physicians of later generations could have composed. Since this text begins with Li Dong, it indicates that in ancient times, the month of Jianzi (the 11th lunar month) was considered the beginning of the year.)

(Li Shizhen stated: "The *Shennong Ancient Bencao* consisted of three volumes, containing 365 species across the Three Grades (Upper, Middle, Lower), starting with several articles on general principles. When Tao Hongjing compiled the *Bielu* (Additional Records), he split the categories, adjusted the Three Grades, and separated out Qingxiang and Red Adzuki Bean, resulting in 367 species. By the Tang and Song dynasties, frequent changes occurred, and the old system could no longer be verified. Many items have since been merged. Therefore, I retain this catalog to examine ancient practices.")

(Cinnabar, Cloud Mother, Jade Spring, Stalactite, Alum Stone, Niter, Glauber's Salt, Talcum, Azurite, Malachite, Hematite, Taiyi Residual Grain, White Quartz, Purple Quartz, Five-Color Earthy Lipid, Acorus, Chrysanthemum, Ginseng, Asparagus Tuber, Licorice, Prepared Rehmannia Root, Achyranthes Root, Dodder Seed, Achyranthes Root, Leonurus Fruit, Polygonatum, Preventive Root, Ophiopogon Tuber, Angelica Pubescens, Plantago Seed, Costus Root, Yam, Coix Seed, Alisma, Polygala, Gentian, Asarum, Dendrobium, Morinda Root, White Nightshade, White Wormwood, Arisaema, Anlü Seed, Xi Ming Seed, Yarrow Fruit, Red Ganoderma, Black Ganoderma, Green Ganoderma, White Ganoderma, Yellow Ganoderma, Purple Ganoderma, Selaginella, Indigofera Fruit, Glehnia, Coptis, Climbing Stemona, Tribulus Seed, Scutellaria, Cistanche, Typha Pollen, Cattail, Drynaria, Rhaponticum, Jerusalem Artichoke, Cassia Seed, Salvia, Fleabane, Schisandra, Convolvulus, Orchid, Kochia Seed, Sedum, Artemisia Capillaris, Kaempferia, Codonopsis, Cynanchum, Euphorbia, Millettia, Ostrya, Dogwood, Citrus, Cypress Seed, Poria, Elm Bark, Sour Jujube Kernel, Dried Lacquer, Vitex Fruit, Magnolia Bud, Eucommia, Mistletoe on Mulberry, Ligustrum Fruit, Prunus Seed, Lotus Seed Pod, Jujube, Grape, Curcuma, Job's Tears, Sesame, Hemp Seed, Bitter Vegetable, Dragon Bone, Musk, Bear Fat, White Gelatin, Donkey-Hide Gelatin, Rock Honey, Bee Larva, Beeswax, Oyster Shell, Turtle Shell, Mantis Egg Case)