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Saponaria (Gleditsia sinensis Fruit)
Taste: Acrid, Salty. Nature: Warm. Slight toxicity. Grown in various places, but those from Huai and Meng Prefectures (both belonging to Henan) are superior. It is antagonistic to Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), and inhibited by Azurite (Kongqing) along with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Kushen).
Enters the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian as a guiding herb; Platycodi Semen (Baishi) is suitable as an accompanying herb. There are two reasons for cultivation, and uses differ accordingly. For regulating Qi and dispersing Wind, seek Changban Jiao (long pod variety); for treating dental accumulation, seek Zhuya Jiao (pig-tooth variety). After removing the fibrous strings and seeds, roasting methods are identical. Honey-frying or lard-frying differs slightly from burning to ash. It can subdue other substances. Suitable for making powders or decocting into pastes; not suitable for pills or liquid decoctions. Nasal insufflation induces immediate sneezing; application to swellings eliminates pain immediately. Combined with Alum (Shengfan) to induce vomiting; refined honey is used to make suppositories (Mi Dao Jian). Kills parasitic worms and essence creatures; treats Wind-Bi and necrotic muscle. Opens orifices and unblocks passages, breaks masses, and induces abortion. The spine of Gleditsia sinensis fruit is recorded as a sacred medicine for surgery, reaching the ulcerated site directly to achieve success.

Liquidambar Resin (Fengxiang Zhi)
(Also known as Baijiaoxiang). Taste: Acrid, Bitter. Nature: Neutral. Non-toxic. Its nature is very penetrating and unblocking; the tree often has insect holes. Produced in valleys, especially abundant in Jiangnan. This is white resin flowing out after scorching sunlight; it is an essential medicine for external surgical applications. Most effective for treating wind-induced pruritus and urticaria; particularly efficacious for reducing deficient edema and water qi. Applying to gums to stop toothache completely contradicts the original intent of the *Shennong Bencao Jing*.
The bark is astringent and can treat chronic dysentery. The kernel of the Big Maple Seed (Dafengzi) is taken; drinking earth slurry (Dijiang) resolves its toxicity.
Commentary by Chen Jiamo: Maple trees are thick enough to embrace, many being large, all forming ball-like structures without producing seeds. The *Bencao Jing* includes Dafengzi within its entries, recording only its therapeutic indications without any further description, which is indeed strange. Inquiring now with market vendors about their sources, they all say it comes via sea trade ships. I suspect it must be a foreign maple species, a different kind growing elsewhere; otherwise, why name it exclusively this way without mentioning other trees? I record this tentatively, awaiting instruction from knowledgeable scholars.

Dragon's Blood (Qilinjie)
(Also known as Xuexie). Taste: Acrid, Salty. Nature: Neutral. Slight toxicity. Originates from various southern barbarian countries, formed from the resin of the Dragon Tree. The tree is tall and slender, with graceful foliage. Resin drips from the middle, resembling maltose syrup. Over time, it solidifies into blocks, red and bloody in color. Hence, when purchased from foreign merchants today, collected and traded goods are specially named "Blood Dregs" (Xuexie), also called Qilinjie. When broken, it reveals a mirror-like surface, with luster seemingly capable of piercing the eye. Rubbing it on the edge of the fingernail, if the red color penetrates the nail thoroughly, it is considered excellent. However, it resembles Purple Lac (Zimao); do not mistake fake for real. Books emphasize caution; usage requires careful attention. Treats traumatic injuries from falls and blows; heals malignant sores and carbuncles. Specifically breaks stagnant blood and guides pus discharge; entirely expels evil qi and stops pain. Used to make plasters or mixed with wine for oral administration.