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(From *Shiliao Bencao* / Food Therapy Materia Medica)

[Names] Ning Yuan stated: It appears in early summer and is absent in other months, hence the name.

[Origin] Li Shizhen stated: According to Sun Simiao's records, after the appearance of the Coilia nasus (Jiangyu) in April, this fish subsequently appears.

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen stated: The Hilsa shad (Shiyu) has an elegant and flattened shape, slightly resembling the Bream but longer, with a white color like silver. Its flesh contains many fine, hair-like spines, and its roe is very delicate. Thus, He Jingming praised it for its "silver scales and fine bones," while Peng Yuanchai regretted that although it was delicious, it had too many spines. The largest specimens do not exceed three chi in length. Under the belly, there are triangular hard scales like armor, and its fat is also located within these scales, which people highly value. Its nature is pelagic; fishermen use silk nets sunk several cun into the water to catch them. Once caught by even a single thread, they die immediately upon emerging from the water and spoil easily. Therefore, Yuan Da wrote in *Qinchong Shu*: For Hilsa shad caught in nets, steaming it whole with bamboo shoots, amaranth, celery, or reed grass along with its scales yields the best flavor. It can also be preserved in fermented rice wine. Its scales differ from other fish; when soaked in ferric oxide water and dried, they lift up in layers, making them excellent for crafting floral ornaments for women.

(From Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] Jia Yu (pronounced "wei"). Zhuo Yu (*Bencao Gangmu*), Bingxue Yu.

Chen Cangqi stated: Zuo Si wrote in *Shudu Fu*: ...ears, how could fish choose days to enter or exit? According to *Baopuzi*: Swallows...

Li Shizhen stated: "Jia" means beautiful. Du Fu's poem says: "Fish know why Bingxue is ever so fair," which is correct. In Heyang, it is called... People call it Zhuo Yu, implying its dull nature. There are various theories regarding Bingxue. According to the commentary on *Wenxuan*: ...It is usually caught in the third (or eighth) month. "Bing" is a place name. *Shuijing Zhu* states: Bing Water originates from Bing Cave. The cave mouth faces the Bing direction, hence the name. Jia Yu often exits the cave in... month and enters in the tenth month. Huang He stated: ...In all counties, there are Bing Caves. Jia Yu often emerges in late spring and enters the cave in winter.

[Collected Explanations] Kou Zongshi stated: Jia Yu is a small fish in the Milk Cave. It constantly feeds on milk water, thus benefiting humans.

Li Shizhen stated: According to Ren Yu's *Yizhou Ji*: Jia Yu is found everywhere in Shu Commandery. It resembles the Carp, but its scales are as fine as those of the Trout, and its flesh is fat and delicious. The large ones... Fish appear before the Spring She festival... *Yu Heng Zhi* states: In Rongcheng County, Cangwu River... It can also be made into...

[Taste and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Meng Xian stated: It may slightly aggravate infantile malnutrition and chronic diseases.

[Indications] Tonifies deficiency and consumptive disorders (Meng Xian). The oil obtained by steaming is collected in a bottle and buried in the soil for extraction...

(From Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] Jia Yu (pronounced "wei"). Zhuo Yu (*Bencao Gangmu*), Bingxue Yu.

Chen Cangqi stated: Zuo Si wrote in *Shudu Fu*: ...ears, how could fish choose days to enter or exit? According to *Baopuzi*: Swallows...

Li Shizhen stated: "Jia" means beautiful. Du Fu's poem says: "Fish know why Bingxue is ever so fair," which is correct. In Heyang, it is called... People call it Zhuo Yu, implying its dull nature. There are various theories regarding Bingxue. According to the commentary on *Wenxuan*: ...It is usually caught in the third (or eighth) month. "Bing" is a place name. *Shuijing Zhu* states: Bing Water originates from Bing Cave. The cave mouth faces the Bing direction, hence the name. Jia Yu often exits the cave in... month and enters in the tenth month. Huang He stated: ...In all counties, there are Bing Caves. Jia Yu often emerges in late spring and enters the cave in winter.

[Collected Explanations] Kou Zongshi stated: Jia Yu is a small fish in the Milk Cave. It constantly feeds on milk water, thus benefiting humans.

Li Shizhen stated: According to Ren Yu's *Yizhou Ji*: Jia Yu is found everywhere in Shu Commandery. It resembles the Carp, but its scales are as fine as those of the Trout, and its flesh is fat and delicious. The large ones... Fish appear before the Spring She festival... *Yu Heng Zhi* states: In Rongcheng County, Cangwu River... It can also be made into...

[Taste and Properties] Sweet, warm, non-toxic. Meng Xian stated: Slightly toxic, but its taste is extremely precious and delicious.

[Indications] Consumption makes one plump, strong, and radiant ( *Kaibao Bencao* ). Boiled consumption treats...

[Elucidation] Kou Zongshi stated: This fish feeds on milk water, and its efficacy is similar to milk. Long-term consumption strengthens the body more than milk does, resembling... Meng Xian stated: It often lives in holes under cliffs and rocks, feeding on limestone dust, hence its tonifying properties.