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Zhi Zizi (Akebia Fruit)

Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Non-toxic. Produced in Huainan and various prefectures of Hanqian; it is a vine that climbs directly up large trees by attaching itself. The leaves are triangular and green, with a pale back and a deep front; the fruits form chambers in the fifth month, appearing green when raw and red when ripe. The seeds are hidden within the chambers, usually numbering six or seven per chamber. They resemble the seeds of Gleditsia sinensis (Chinese Honeylocust) with brown spots, and possess a luster similar to that of moth larvae. It is extremely precious because it is very difficult to obtain. Taking two seeds and stitching them into the collar of one's clothing allows one to hear a "ce-ce" sound when encountering poisonous substances. Since it can perceive dangers in advance, it bears this name. For administration, the outer skin must be removed, ground into a fine powder, and taken down with decoction. It kills insects and dispels gu-poisons, driving away all kinds of toxins. The root, when crushed and boiled in water, yields particularly rapid results.

(Alternative record)
Bitter in taste, cold in nature. Slightly toxic. Another account states it is hot in nature and non-toxic. It grows abundantly in fertile soil and also in flat marshes. Its odor resembles that of pig feces, hence its name. (This herb grows mostly in the Jiangdong region, where the local language calls pigs "shi" and stench "hui"; due to its characteristic odor, it is named accordingly.) Harvest in the fifth, sixth, and seventh months. (The fifth day of the fifth month, the sixth day of the sixth month, and the seventh day of the seventh month are all suitable for harvesting.) All parts—branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits—are used. (Only remove the coarse stems.) Mix layer by layer with concentrated wine and sprinkle, then undergo nine stevings and nine sun-dryings until fully processed. Grind into a fine powder and make honey pills the size of beans. Swallow on an empty stomach early in the morning; take with wine, adjusting the dosage as appropriate. It produces immediate effects in treating sudden wind-stroke caused by pathogenic factors, specifically facial paralysis with mouth and eye deviation; it shows remarkable efficacy in treating chronic damp-bi syndrome with oozing symptoms, and severe soreness and pain in the waist and legs. Drinking the fresh juice treats heat-induced restlessness and fullness. Excessive intake causes vomiting; small doses are advisable.
Commentary by Chen Jiamo: This herb grows everywhere and often displays unusual characteristics. It features golden ridges and silver lines, white roots and purple stems. Branches grow opposite at nodes, with square stems and round leaves. Prepared according to the above method, its consumption is indeed beneficial to humans. After taking it one hundred times, hearing and vision become acute; after taking it one thousand times, hair and beard turn black. Dispelling wind and driving out dampness are merely trivial matters compared to its other virtues. Ancient prescriptions often extol its praises, but its profound effects are hard to fully document in writings. This demonstrates that even the most humble plants possess extraordinary capabilities. Physicians should not neglect collecting it due to its low status, nor should patients refuse to use it simply because it is inexpensive.