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Suan Zao (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen)
Taste: Sour. Nature: Neutral. Non-toxic. Grows in the river and lake areas of Hedong. Fruits are harvested in autumn and dried in the shade. It is named Suan Zao because the flesh tastes sour. For medicinal use, the nuts are cracked to extract the kernels. Plump kernels with a reddish color are not easy to obtain. Market vendors often pass off the fruits of *Ziziphus jujuba* var. *spinosa* (Ji Shi) as substitutes; careful identification is necessary. It can treat both hypersomnia and insomnia, but one must distinguish between raw and stir-fried usage. Hypersomnia caused by excess heat in the Gallbladder requires raw kernels ground into powder, taken with tea leaves and ginger juice mixed together. Insomnia caused by deficiency cold in the Gallbladder requires stir-fried kernels made into a powder, taken with decoction of bamboo leaves. If combined with other herbs in a formula, it is incompatible with Fang Ji (*Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix*). It calms the mind and will, benefits the Liver, and tonifies the Middle Jiao. It astringes deficient sweating, dispels irritability, and relieves thirst. It removes cold and heat from the heart and abdomen, calming the Five Viscera. It treats soreness and pain in the hands and feet, strengthening tendons and bones. Long-term use promotes longevity and makes the body plump. The shell of the nut, burned to ash and mixed with water, is effective when applied to splinters embedded in the flesh.

Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex)
Taste: Acrid, Sweet. Nature: Neutral, Warm. Its flavor and qi are thin; it descends and belongs to Yang. Non-toxic. Those produced in Hanzhong (Sichuan Province) are the best; those with thick, moist resin are superior. The rough bark is scraped off, chewed into thin slices, moistened with ginger juice, and stir-fried to remove the fibrous threads. When used for pills, powders, or decoctions, it is incompatible with Xuan Shen (*Scrophulariae Radix*) and She Tui (*Bombyx Batryticatus*). It tonifies the Middle Jiao, strengthens the will, benefits the Kidney, and replenishes essence. It performs miracles for lower back pain that prevents bending, and provides immediate relief for foot pain that prevents walking. It eliminates dampness and itching of the scrotum, and stops frequent urination and nocturnal emission.

Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus)
Taste: Sour, Astringent. Nature: Neutral, Slightly Warm. Non-toxic. Mostly produced in Hanzhong, growing widely in mountains and valleys. Therefore, it is also called Shu Zao; it is green when growing and red when ripe. Harvested near the Frost Descent solar term and dried in the shade. It is incompatible with Jie Geng (*Platycodonis Radix*), Fang Feng (*Saposhnikoviae Radix*), and Fang Ji (*Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix*). It should be used with Liao Shi (*Polygoni Persicariac Fructus*) as an adjuvant. It enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. For pills and powders, only the pericarp and flesh are used. It warms the Liver and tonifies the Kidney, stimulates the Yang pathway to enlarge the penis; enriches marrow and secures essence, warms the waist and knees, and assists the Water Viscera (Kidney). For women, it can regulate menstruation; for the elderly, it can control urination. It dispels all wind pathogens and resolves various Qi disorders. It opens the nine orifices and removes three types of parasites. It strengthens physical power, prolongs life, lightens the body, and improves vision. Do not use the seeds, as they may cause difficult retention of seminal emission due to their slipping nature.
(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: The classics state: "Slippage leads to Qi collapse." The astringent property of Shan Zhu Yu is used to consolidate slippage. In Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill), it is used primarily for its ability to benefit the Kidney and secure essence. The *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* states that it can open the nine orifices. This is another example of believing books too literally; perhaps it is better to have no books than to believe them blindly!