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Huai Shi (Sophorae Fructus): Bitter, sour, and salty in flavor; cold in nature; non-toxic. It treats internal heat caused by pathogenic factors in the five zang organs, stops excessive saliva and phlegm, repairs severe injuries, and treats five types of hemorrhoids. For fire sores, uterine masses in women, and acute pain in the uterus. Harvest on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, crush to extract juice, store in a copper vessel, boil daily until it can be formed into pills the size of mouse droppings, insert into orifices, change three times for cure. It also induces abortion. Long-term use brightens the eyes, benefits qi, prevents graying of hair, and prolongs life. The branches treat washing sores and damp itching under the scrotum. The bark treats ulcerated sores. The root treats throat obstruction with chills and fever. Grows in the plains and marshes of Henan. Can be used to make divine candles. (Jingtian is its assistant herb.)

Huai Zi (Sophorae Fructus) is best when many are connected together, harvested on the Shangsi day of the tenth lunar month. Store in a new basin, seal with mud for one hundred days, until the skin rots into water and the seeds are like soybeans. Taking it makes the brain full, prevents hair from turning white, and promotes longevity. Now found everywhere, here it says that in July the seeds are not yet hard, so they are crushed to extract juice. (Xinxiu Bencao page 116, Daguan Bencao Volume 12, Zhenghe Bencao page 292)

Gouqi: Bitter in flavor; cold in nature; the root is very cold; the fruit is slightly cold; non-toxic. Treats pathogenic factors in the five zang organs, heat in the middle jiao, xiaoke (wasting-thirst syndrome), generalized bi-syndrome (painful obstruction). Rheumatism and wind-dampness, descending qi from the chest and hypochondrium, external heat, headache, repairing internal injuries, severe fatigue, panting, strengthening sinews and bones, tonifying yin, benefiting the large and small intestines. Long-term use strengthens sinews and bones, lightens the body, resists aging, and tolerates cold and heat. Also known as Qigen, Digux, Gouji, Difux, Yangru, Qieshu, Xianrenzhang, Xiwangmuzhang. Grows in the plains and marshes of Changshan and various hills and banks. Harvest roots in winter, leaves in spring and summer, stems and fruits in autumn, dry in shade.

Now produced in Tangyi, most abundantly at the Stone Beacon Tower. Its leaves can be made into soup, with a slightly bitter taste. Folk proverb says: "Travel a thousand miles from home, do not eat Luomo and Gouqi," referring to its ability to tonify essence and qi, and strengthen the yin channel. Luomo is also known as Kuwan, with thick leaves growing as vines, exuding white latex when picked, widely planted by households, can be eaten raw or steamed. Gouqi root and fruit are used by those practicing dietary therapy, their description is very beautiful, the staff of immortals, has far-reaching significance. (Xinxiu Bencao page 119, Daguan Bencao Volume 12, Zhenghe Bencao page 293)