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Leech (Shuizhi)
(Also known as Ma Huang Qi.) Flavor: salty, bitter. Nature: neutral, slightly cold. Toxicity: toxic. For medicinal use, select those found in water; their nature fears calcined gypsum and salt. Dry them thoroughly under the scorching sun, chop finely, and stir-fry until yellow. If not processed meticulously, they may hatch eggs in the abdomen causing disaster; therefore, extreme caution is required when using them. Live leeches can suck out swelling toxins and foul blood, hence named Qi Zhen (Leech Needle); (recorded in surgical texts.) Stir-fried leeches can remove accumulated stasis and hard masses, forming the basis of the Didang formula (Zhongjing's Shanghan Lun formulas include Didang Tang and Didang Wan.) They treat fractures, promote urination, regulate menstruation, and induce abortion. Mixed with musk and taken with wine, they are miraculously effective in expelling retained blood. This is because bitter flavors enter the blood, and salty flavors overcome blood.

Dragon Bone (Longgu)
Flavor: sweet. Nature: slightly cold. Attribute: yang. Toxicity: non-toxic. Abundant in Hedong, found in cliff caves. The phrase "fingers falling off" was a speculative remark at the time; the statement that it comes from dead dragons is a factual description in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. (The classic states: "Collect from places where dead dragons were found, without specific timing.") Male dragon bone is narrow with coarse patterns; female dragon bone is broad with fine patterns. Those possessing all five colors are top grade; those white with yellow hues are second grade. Black ones are of very low quality; pick them out and do not use. It genuinely sticks to the tongue after licking; only when crushed finely is it refined. Still, wash it with water (water levigation) to avoid adhering to the stomach and intestines. It fears Sichuan pepper, dried persimmon gall, and calcined gypsum; it is compatible with Realgar and Ginseng. It astringes the large intestine to stop diarrhea, and consolidates floating and逸逸 (escaping) righteous qi. It stops intestinal wind bleeding and leukorrhea/metrorrhagia in women, prevents nocturnal emission, and treats pediatric convulsions due to wind-heat. It repels evil influences and spirit entities, and removes intestinal abscesses and internal ulcers. It consolidates deficiency sweating, reduces urination, dissipates hard accumulations, and resolves phlegm-stasis masses. The classic states: "Astringency can treat prolapse/loss," which refers to this. Dragon Teeth (Longchi) (Small, strong, tooth-shaped.) Calms the mind and anchors the soul; urgently take for men and women suffering from chaotic evil dreams. Dragon Horns (Longjiao) (Strong and solid, rare in the world.) Expels fright and reduces fever; suitable for children with excessive phlegm and convulsions.
Dragon Saliva (Longxian) (Spit-out saliva, abundant in deep marshes.) Can be used to make incense. Dragon Brain (Longnao) (Very fat and soft.) Can stop dysentery. Dragon Dripping Water (Longyili) (Sticks to tree branches near water, resembling a cattail club shape and gray color.) Also known as Purple Tip Flower, it is an immortal pill for coldness and infertility. Dragon Womb (Longtaibao) (Emerges from mountain streams in Shu, resembling dry fish scales with a fishy odor, decocted together with Sedum and Saxifraga, it is a key medicine for amenorrhea.)
(Mo) Commentary: Luo Shi said: Dragons ascend to heaven at the Spring Equinox and hide in the abyss at the Autumn Equinox; they are the most spiritual of creatures. Secular writings describe dragons having three segments and nine resemblances. The three segments refer to the equal proportions from head to shoulder, shoulder to waist, and waist to tail. The nine resemblances are: horns like deer, head like horse, eyes like rabbit, neck like snake, belly like clam, scales like fish, claws like eagle, palms like tiger, ears like cow. On the head is an object like a Boshan censer, called Chi Mu (Ruler Wood). Without Chi Mu, a dragon cannot ascend to heaven. Its nature is fierce and violent; it fears iron, loves pearls/jade and Azurite, and craves roasted swallow meat. Therefore, those who have eaten swallows should not cross the sea. It is also said to fear Dong leaves and five-colored threads, so in Han times, they bound dragons with five-colored threads mixed with Dong leaves. In ancient times, there were Dragon Taming clans who could know its desires and aversions and control it. By exhaling, it forms clouds to cover its body, making it invisible to humans. Its sound is like striking a bronze plate, and its fluid can emit various fragrances. Dragon fire is opposite to human fire; it flares when wet and burns when meeting water. If pursued by fire, the burning ceases and the flame extinguishes.
*Weisheng Baojian* states: Dragon teeth calm the soul, tiger eyes stabilize the魄 (corporeal soul); each speaks of its own category. The Azure Dragon of the East is Wood, belonging to the Liver which stores the Hun (ethereal soul); the White Tiger of the West is Metal, belonging to the Lung which stores the Po (corporeal soul). Dragons can transform, thus the Hun wanders uncertainly; Tigers can remain still, thus the Po stays and guards. Therefore, for those whose Po is restless, treat with tiger eyes; for those whose Hun flies wildly, treat with dragon teeth. All things have inherent principles but do not speak; it depends on people to understand them.