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Sweet in taste, greatly warm in nature, non-toxic. Primarily tonifies the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), nourishes blood, and treats deep fissures of the lips (Shen Chun). On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, take the skull of the eel, burn it to charcoal, and use it to stop dysentery.

Eels are believed to be transformed from the roots of Nymphoides peltata (Xing Qin), or alternatively said to be transformed from human hair; however, it is now observed that they naturally carry eggs within their bellies, so not all are products of transformation. Their nature is hot; consuming them as food also provides tonic benefits. However, during outbreaks of epidemic febrile diseases (Shi Xing Bing), consumption often leads to relapse and tends to induce cholera-like syndrome (Huo Luan). There are many such aquatic fish species; those well-known have been annotated in previous entries. Although all may be edible, they are highly damaging to the human body and thus are not included in medicinal materials. Furthermore, there are species whose consumption can actually cause disease; these are annotated below: Fish with white spots like connected pearls extending to the spine, those lacking a gallbladder in the abdomen, and those lacking gills in the head are all poisonous and fatal if eaten. Fish juice must not be consumed together with cormorant meat. Crucian carp (Ji Yu) must not be consumed together with monkey or pheasant meat. Loaches and eels must not be consumed together with the blood of white dogs. Carp roe must not be consumed together with pig liver, nor should crucian carp be consumed with such combinations. Black carp (Qing Yu) must not be consumed together with raw Coriandrum sativum (Hu Sui), raw Abelmoschus manihot leaves (Kai), or wheat sauce. Fish without barbels, those with blackness throughout the belly, and those that turn white upon boiling are all inedible. Raw fish must not be consumed with chicken meat, as it damages the body. There is another type of fish that is beneficial to humans, but its tail is toxic and can treat toothache. There is also a type of fish capable of sobering one up from alcohol intoxication. Another type of fish is toxic and must not be eaten. (Da Guan Ben Cao, Vol. 20; Zheng He Ben Cao, p. 418)

Salty and bitter in taste, cold and slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily brightens the eyes, supplements Qi, raises Yin, expels stagnant evil blood flowing downward, wards off gu poison, malevolent spirits, and inauspicious influences, calms the Heart Qi, and prevents nightmares. It treats Shang Han (Cold Damage), epidemic febrile diseases with alternating chills and fever, heat in the skin and muscles, toxic warm winds lurking between the bones, removes depression/stagnation, treats frightful dreams, manic behavior, aberrant conduct, and food impaction/dysphagia. Long-term consumption strengthens sinews and bones, lightens the body, raises Yin, supplements Qi, and benefits men. It grows in the valleys and rivers of Shicheng and Huayin Mountain, and can be harvested at any time.

Currently, it is produced among the Man tribes in Jianping and Yidu, as well as in the Western Regions. Those with two horns are common, while those with a single horn are superior. The horns have many nodes, tightly and circularly arranged. There is separately the horn of the domestic goat (Shan Yang Jiao), which is extremely long, has nodes on only one side, and the nodes are sparse and large; it is not used in prescriptions. The Er Ya states its name is [a specific type of] sheep, while the Qiang and Yi people call this simply "Antelope Horn" (Ling Yang Jiao), which is very precious. (Zheng He Ben Cao, p. 382)