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Nuzhenzi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), also known as Dongqing. However, the fruit of the Dongqing tree is red, whereas the fruit of Nuzhenzi is black; this should be a different species. Some say it is the Wax Tree, on which insects parasitize to produce white wax.

It tastes bitter and sweet, and its nature is cold. Its qi is thin while its flavor is strong, belonging to yin within yin, with a descending action. It enters the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. *Bencao Gangmu* records that it strengthens the yin essence, benefits the waist and knees, turns white hair black, and improves vision, being praised as a superior-grade, non-toxic, miraculous medicine. *Dianshu* states that Nuzhenzi is the essence of Shaoyin, does not shed leaves in winter, so its kidney-nourishing efficacy can be inferred. It inherits the supreme yin qi of heaven and earth. Currently, people use it to turn white hair black with frequent success, indicating it is likely a drug that clears heat from the blood and nourishes blood through its sweet and cold properties. (Chen Shigong) The qi and flavor of Nuzhenzi are both yin, making it a key item for entering the kidney to clear heat and replenish essence. For cases of kidney yin deficiency with internal heat, this drug is specifically indicated. When used together with Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Heshouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Hanliancao (Ecliptae Herba), Nanzhuzi (Myricae Fructus), Meishiizi (Terminalia Chebulae Retardatae Fructus), Sangshen (Mori Fructus), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Jiaohong (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium), and Lianxu (Nelumbinis Stamen), it becomes an essential prescription for turning hair black. Combined with Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), Ganju (Chrysanthemi Flos), Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), and Jili (Tribuli Fructus), it can improve vision and darken beard and hair.

Take one dou of Nuzhenzi, remove the skin according to method, and soak in aged wine overnight. For every dou of Nuzhenzi, use one dou of horse-feed black beans, wash clean, dry, and steam together with Nuzhenzi until thoroughly cooked. Perform nine cycles of steaming and sun-drying. Grind each into powder separately. Add three liang of natural juice from Shanjiang (Cangzhu, Atractylodis Rhizoma), three liang of purified and powdered Chuanjiao (Zanthoxyllum Piperitum), mix evenly with the Nuzhenzi powder and black bean powder. Form pills the size of wutong seeds using honey. Take four or five qian before meals, swallowed daily with decoction or wine.

Another prescription: Collect twenty to thirty jin of fresh Lichangcao (Ecliptae Herba), crush to extract juice. Mix with Nuzhenzi powder that has undergone nine steams and nine sun-dryings, then dry again to form pills. This may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea, which is inferior to the method using Shanjiang juice and Jiao powder. If combined with Bazhen Wan (Eight Treasure Pill) to consolidate the root, or if only Chuanjiao powder and Nuzhenzi powder are mixed in equal parts to form pills, abdominal pain will not occur. This is because Nuzhenzi nourishes the pure yin of the Blood Sea, while Chuanjiao enters the Mingmen (Gate of Life) directly from the exterior yang to tonify primal yang. This allows primal yin to have a master and thus function properly. In this case, nine steams and nine sun-dryings are not strictly necessary.

Mu Shi's Revised Prescription for Cooling Blood and Regulating Spleen: Heshouwu (steamed with Wudou and Niuxi according to method, then soaked in human milk and sun-dried thirty to forty times), two jin each of red and white varieties; Nuzhenzi tossed in wine, nine steams and nine sun-dryings, two jin; Hanliancao paste, twelve liang; Nanzhuzi paste, twelve liang; Maoshu (Cangzhu, Atractylodis Rhizoma) soaked in rice water, steamed and sun-dried three times, peeled and sliced, twelve liang; Zhen Chuanjiao Hong (true Sichuan pepper red, removing white membranes and closed-mouthed ones), twelve liang; Meishizi (Terminalia chebula retards fruit), ten liang. Grind into powder. Use Hanliancao paste and Wu Fanzi paste, combined with refined honey, to form pills the size of wutong seeds. Take five qian each time when empty-stomached or hungry, swallowed with plain water.

Jiajian Dihuang Wan (Modified Rehmannia Pill): Treats men suffering from damage to primordial origin, depletion of essence and qi, stomach deficiency with labor fever, emptiness of bones and body, kidney decline with impotence, seminal emission without fertility, or congenital infertility. Long-term use cures hundred diseases, enhances spirit, and possesses the wonder of promoting vitality and offspring. Da Shengdi (Prepared Rehmannia Root) one jin, soaked in wine, steamed in a willow-wood steamer until soft, spread on bamboo sieve, sun-dried by day and stored on ground by night, repeated nine times, ready for use. Bai Fuling (Poria), Huai Shanyao (Chinese Yam, soaked in milk and sun-dried three times), Danpi (Moutan Cortex, soaked in wine overnight and sun-dried), Shanyurou (Corni Fructus, half male roasted with oil), Heshouwu (steamed with black beans nine times and nine sun-dryings), Gouqizi (steamed ripe), Jinyingzi (steamed ripe), Nuzhenzi (soaked in wine overnight and steamed ripe) — each eight liang. Combine with Dihuang and refined honey to form pills the size of wutong seeds. Take eighty to ninety pills daily when empty-stomached, washed down with plain water or light wine.

Qilong Wan (Goji Dragon Pill): Treats excessive labor injury, worry and overthinking, heart fire scorching the lungs, and insufficient kidney water. Taking it strengthens the spleen and stomach in men and regulates menstruation in women. Gouqizi (moistened with wine) six liang, Longyanrou (Longan Aril) half a jin, Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root) one jin, Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Radix, washed clean with wine) six liang, Renshen (Ginseng) three liang, Maidong (Ophiopogon) seven liang, Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry, pitted) one liang, Danshen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Radix) four liang, Fuling (Poria, soaked in milk, sun-dried twice) four liang, Huai Shanyao (Chinese Yam) six liang, Heshouwu (steamed with black beans nine times and nine sun-dryings) two liang, Xuduan (Dipsaci Radix) four liang, Nuzhenzi (soaked in wine overnight, sun-dried) six liang, Danpi (washed clean with wine) four liang, Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, stir-fried with wine once) three liang, Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis) one jin. First, boil Shihu to make a thick decoction. Then roast Shanyao, put it into the Shihu decoction, collect until dry, and sun-dry again. Mix with other powdered herbs, refine honey, and form pills the size of wutong seeds. Take one hundred pills at a time, when empty-stomached, washed down with light wine or plain water. Long-term use promotes fertility.

[Discussion] The human body contains yin qi and yin blood. Various substances that benefit yin differ in mechanism: some transform into blood from abundant yin qi, while others harmonize qi due to abundant yin blood. They cannot be viewed identically. Nuzhenzi enters the Blood Sea, nourishes blood, harmonizes qi, and causes it to ascend and nourish the head and face. Therefore, its effect on beard and hair is more pronounced. Other herbs, such as Cebai Zi (Platycladi Semen), which remains green in winter like Nuzhenzi and also benefits yin blood, have distinctly different applications. Generally, all things face the sun, but the cypress points west, receiving the righteous qi of Metal. It is suitable mainly for hematemesis and similar conditions, where its firming metal qi protects the child via the mother (metal generates water), preventing scorching by pathogenic fire. In contrast, Nuzhenzi embodies the integrity of supreme yin, extending from the kidney to the lung, distributing essence throughout the upper and lower jiao. Its utility is not limited to hair and beard; it is also widely used in prescriptions for promoting fertility. Additionally, Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) also possesses supreme yin qualities and stays clear throughout the four seasons, but its bitter and pungent nature opens the heart, harmonizes blood, and directs qi, which differs significantly from the application of Nuzhenzi fruit. People know that yang precedes yin, but they do not realize that the abundance of yin qi stems from sufficient yin blood. Only when yin blood is sufficient can yin qi ascend to nourish the lips and mouth, because the source of yang emerges from yin; the yang within yin is what is referred to as yin qi. The Classic states: "When yin is extremely deficient, heavenly qi is severed." This is clear evidence that in cases of blood loss, yin qi cannot reach the heavenly surface (exterior/upper body). Furthermore, the upper shu point of the Chong Mai is at Dazhu (BL11), which belongs to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian; the lower shu points are at Shangjuxu and Xiajuxu (ST37, ST39), which are Stomach meridian points. When primordial qi combines with acquired qi, yin blood becomes abundant and circulates up and down. Therefore, when using herbs to darken hair, one must simultaneously regulate the spleen and stomach.