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Gouteng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis)
Sweet and bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature. Non-toxic. Grown in Hunan and Hubei provinces, found everywhere on mountains and hills. Leaves are fine, stems are long, with thorns between nodes. Named "Hook Vine" because its shape resembles hooks or fishing gear. Harvested in March, the bark is sun-dried. Specifically treats pediatric conditions, not used for other specialties. For symptoms of alternating chills and fever, convulsive epilepsy, and twitching of hands and feet, seek it urgently; for fetal wind (infantile convulsion due to fright), external pathogenic invasion, and twitching of mouth and eyes, it is suitable. Because the stem is long and hollow, it can pierce through gaps to steal wine. Villains often place it in a wine jar, hold one end in their mouth and gently suck, causing wine to flow out continuously drop by drop.

Binglang (Arecae Semen)
Pungent and bitter in taste, warm in nature. Strong flavor but light aroma, descending in action, representing Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. Grown in all prefectures and commanderies of Lingnan region. Shape resembles the pointed tip of a chicken heart, nature heavy like iron or stone. Sits upright and steady, solid inside without being hollow. When broken, displays brocade-like patterns, which indicates superior quality. Drains water and grain accumulation, eliminates yin phlegm, stops heart pain, kills three types of parasites. Treats tenesmus with miraculous effect, causes various qi mechanisms to descend extremely. Specifically breaks stagnant qi and directs it downward; if taken in excess, it also drains the highest qi in the chest. (Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Binglang, when taken, bitterness breaks stagnant qi, pungency disperses pathogenic qi. Long-term use damages true qi, excessive use drains the highest qi. Compared to Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) and Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), this effect is even more pronounced. Why do people in the miasma-prone regions of Lingnan, who are healthy, chew it vigorously morning and evening as usual? They say it can ward off mountainous miasma diseases. It has become a custom, still practiced today. Some Confucian scholars serving there also follow this custom and chew it, causing their harmonizing stomach qi to be constantly depleted. This is precisely what is meant by "not only no benefit but also harm," a弊端 of habituation, where people die without regret! Luo Qianfu said: Taking medicine when healthy is like placing a rat in a wall, truly so! I have heard that using medicine is like using troops; the court uses it reluctantly to defend against enemies. If there are no enemies to pacify, yet troops are sent without cause, not only is grain and pay wasted in vain, but innocent people are also harmed. Beware! Beware!