Library

[Tao Ren (Peach Seed)]
Peach kernels with two seeds are toxic and should not be eaten.
The flavor is bitter, pungent, and sweet; the nature is warm. Bitterness can drain stagnation (heavy turbid stagnation), pungency can dissipate nodules, and sweet-warm properties promote circulation. Its qi is thin and its flavor is strong, belonging to descending within Yang, and its nature is Yin.
Enters the Hand and Foot meridians.
Treats blood heat and dryness.
Also treats stagnant blood in the skin.
(For)蓄血症 (Blood Stasis Syndrome), treated mainly with Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) [and other blood-breaking herbs like leeches, implied by context "Zhi Dahuang"].
Treats postpartum blood stasis, forming masses causing pain, and constipation with difficulty in defecation. Can be used together with Fanxiejie (Senna Leaf) for purgation.
The function of Tao Ren, known from its coarse texture, indicates its ability to break blood.
(In cases of) fever, acute consumption cough, blood accumulation in the chest/abdomen, and lower back pain, use one sheng of Tao Ren.
(Take) three times a day until recovery. If bowel movements are still not smooth and there is tenesmus...
(Another method) Chew five or seven Tao Ren kernels at a time for malaria with alternating chills and fever.
(Dosage) Three qian, made into pills the size of wutong seeds, take three pills each time.
(Preparation) Steam until hot, take 120 Tao Ren kernels, reserve them.
(Taking method) Drink water as desired, take one dose every other day, for 100 days.
(Preparation) Boil with five sheng of water until dry, pound thoroughly in a wooden mortar.

[Discussion]
Former sages stated that for blood stagnation, suitable herbs include Tao Ren, Hong Hua (Carthamus Flower), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Su Mu (Sappan Wood), and Xue Jie (Dragon's Blood). Among these, Hong Hua, Su Mu, and Xue Jie are red in color, while Dan Pi is purple.
Only Tao Ren is white in color and harmonizes blood, circulating without restriction throughout the upper, middle, and lower parts. The statement "enters the Hand and Foot Jueyin meridians" is because the Pericardium is the origin of blood transformation, and the Liver is the organ that stores blood. Liver Qi descends, enters the Heart to generate blood, and the Hand Jueyin Pericardium meridian receives it to perform its transformative function; the Foot Jueyin Liver meridian then receives it to return blood to the vessels. However, there are many agents governing Qi...
Tao Ren excels at breaking blood, dispersing without retaining, draining without tonifying. Improper use, or excessive dosage when indicated, can cause continuous downward bleeding. Be cautious. (Quoted from Zhong Chun - Zhang Lu)

[Processing]
For promoting blood circulation, use raw with skin and tip intact. For moistening dryness and activating blood, soak in decoction, remove skin and tip, stir-fry until yellow, or stir-fry with bran/wheat bran, or burn until carbonized but retaining efficacy (charred).

[Tao Hua (Peach Blossom)]
Do not use double-petaled peach blossoms, as they may cause persistent epistaxis. Their nature moves blood and rapidly promotes downward movement and lubricates the Large Intestine. A woman suffered from chronic diarrhea/slippage for years with no effect from various treatments. It was said this was due to Yin injury and accumulation. At the time of peach blossom fall, prick off dozens of calyxes with thorns (do not touch with hands), mix with flour to make cakes, bake/cook them, and eat with rice drink.
Due to fright and anger injuring the Liver, phlegm mixed with damaged blood leading to madness. Eating peach blossoms can promote phlegm-fluids and dissipate stagnant blood, leading to cure. For postpartum inability to urinate or defecate, use equal parts of Tao Hua, Kuizi (Abutilon Seed), Huashi (Talcum), and Binglang (Areca Seed), grind into powder, take two qian each time on an empty stomach with Scallion White Decoction.
For retained phlegm-fluids and old water, collect peach blossoms, dry in shade, grind into powder, take one he with warm wine to induce purgation. When feeling weak, eat small amounts of porridge; this is not as harsh as strong purgatives.

[Processing]
Select clean material, put into a silk bag, hang under the eaves to dry in the shade.

[Tao Jing & Bai Pi (Peach Stem and White Bark)]
For edema and short urine, use three jin of Tao Pi (Peach Bark), remove outer rough bark, one dou of Shumi (Millet), two sheng of Nuqu (Yeast). With two dou of water, boil Tao Pi. Use half to soak the yeast, half to soak the millet rice. Brew as usual into wine. Take one he each time, three times a day. Stop when heat is felt in the body. Urination improves. Avoid cold, raw foods and all toxins.
For women with amenorrhea for years, sallow complexion, blue-white lips and mouth, abdominal masses, distended abdominal veins, and swollen legs/shins, treat with Tao Gen Jian (Peach Root Decoction). Use one jin each of Tao Shu Gen (Peach Tree Root), Niubang Gen (Arctium Root), Mabiancao Gen (Verbena Root), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), and Pengzhu (Curcuma Zedoaria), chop coarsely. With three dou of water, decoct to one dou. Simmer slowly until thick like syrup. Take one spoon each time with warm wine.

[Processing]
The root bark is superior. Select roots growing towards the east, scrape off rough bark, use the white inner bark.

[Tao Jiao (Peach Gum)]
For painful hematuria (blood strangury), use one qian each of Tao Jiao, Chao Mutong (Stir-fried Akebia Caulis), and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum). Decoct in water, take after meals. For postpartum dysentery with red and white discharge, tenesmus, and abdominal pain, use Tao Jiao baked dry, equal parts of Chenxiang (Agarwood) and Chao Puhuang (Stir-fried Pollen Typhae), grind into powder, take... (dosage missing in original).

[Processing]
When the peach tree is lush, cut the bark with a knife. Gum will exude over time. Soak in Ash Water from Mulberry branches, sun-dry, and use.