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Liquidambar resin (Fengxiang) and pine resin (Songzhi) can both be used to adulterate frankincense (Ruxiang), and it is especially important to distinguish between them. Liquidambar resin is slightly yellowish-white in color, and its authenticity can be particularly verified by burning it. It also treats wind-induced urticaria (feng yin zhen) with itching and toxicity. Decoct in water and wash the affected area while hot and dry.

As for wet lacquer (Shiqi), it is not seen used in medicinal preparations. What is used are all dried lacquer (Ganqi). The wet kind is difficult to dry during hot and dry weather or when frost is cold; however, in damp and humid conditions, it dries easily even in winter months. This is also the nature of the substance. If it stains the skin, treat it with oil. To test lacquer quality: only thin lacquer that, when dipped up with an object, forms a fine thread without breaking, and if broken, retracts quickly, and when applied to dry bamboo, dries rapidly in the shade, is considered good. The rest follows the classics.

Various schools of interpretation regarding Vitex trifolia (Manjing) and Vitex negundo (Mujing) are inconsistent and confusing. Since the classic text mentions "Manjing" (creeping Jing), it is known to be a creeping plant, not a tall tree. Since it mentions "Mujing" (male Jing), it naturally grows on woody plants. Moreover, the *Book of Han · Treatise on Suburban Sacrifices* states "using Mujing stems as flagpoles," thus we know that Manjing refers to the variety with larger seeds, leaving no room for doubt. The later entry "Luanjing" is indeed Mujing. Its fruit is green, resembling cornel (Zhuyu), so there should be no separate entry for Luanjing. Therefore, the text states: "Not recorded in Bencao, no other names, only has Luan flowers, with different functions," which is definitive. The commentary wrongly claims Shijing corresponds to this, making the argument appear far-fetched.

New and old texts state: "It is found everywhere nowadays." Traveling north and south for official duties, I find it genuinely hard to obtain everywhere. Is it because the hardship of annual cutting, picking, and trampling prevents growth? Or is it due to different regional suitability? If one believes that bird food seeds falling on branch joints generate new plants through air exposure, then wheat should produce wheat, and millet should produce millet, not just this single species. Furthermore, some grow on smooth, slender branches; how can seeds fall into branch joints there? Thus, it is naturally generated by the Qi of creation, being a distinct entity. The ancients originally only took those growing on mulberry trees, actually borrowing their Qi. It is also said that modern physicians rarely use it, which is a great error. Modern physicians do use it, but simply cannot obtain genuine mulberry-dwelling mistletoe (Sangjisheng). I once obtained genuine Sangjisheng, and upon ingestion, it worked miraculously. Previously, while serving at Wushan, people from various counties sought medicine from me. I ordered people to search and pick extensively, but ultimately could not obtain any, so I told them the truth. They were very displeased. This was because I dared not deceive people with fake medicine. Someone from a neighboring county sent me fake mistletoe from other trees; after taking it for over a month, he died. How sorrowful!