Library

Wait until the seeds are fully mature for harvest. Those that are tight, small, and dark red-black in color are used for medicinal purposes. Those that are slightly larger, bright red, or pale red, as well as those harvested when they are three parts green and two parts yellow, are only suitable for food and cannot be used to treat diseases. Recently, some people have mistakenly used grass fruits that are intermixed with red and black colors as *Chi Xiao Dou* (Red Adzuki Bean), which is a serious error.

The flavor is sweet and sour, and the nature is neutral. It is the grain of the Heart (a grain belonging to the Heart organ system). Its property descends, connecting to the Small Intestine, and can enter the Yin aspect. It treats pathological conditions with tangible forms. Its main indications include reducing edema, draining pus, dispersing He Xi Feng (Crane's Knee Wind, characterized by knee joint swelling), and treating milk stasis and pulse qi obstruction when combined with carp or ramie root. Applying it in a bag to warm the abdomen is effective for water-dampness entering the abdomen and killing intestinal parasites. It also treats hematochezia preceding defecation; this works by promoting diuresis to resolve blood stasis. In *Hong Dou Wan* (Red Bean Pill), assisted by Ding Xiang (Clove), Hu Jiao (Black Pepper), and Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), it treats deficiency-cold and tonifies Yang, leveraging the transforming properties of this herb. For difficult labor due to prolonged Qi depletion, take one sheng of *Chi Xiao Dao*, boil in nine sheng of water, add one liang of Ming Jiao (Ming Gelatin) or E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), simmer briefly, and take five he at a time. Three to four doses will induce delivery. For retained placenta, swallow seven beans with flowing water from the east. According to the classics on pregnancy, each month nourishes the fetus, but the Hand-Shaoyin (Heart) and Hand-Taiyang (Small Intestine) meridians do not primarily govern this. If there is no pregnancy, it becomes menstruation; if pregnant, it becomes breast milk. Thus, it is not categorized under fetal nourishment. The initial sign of embryo formation begins with receiving essence of water to form structure, which then transforms into Qi. From this, we can understand why *Chi Xiao Dou* can abort fetuses, reduce lactation, and treat difficult labor.

[Discussion] *Chi Xiao Dou* is sown after the Summer Solstice, flowers and bears fruit in autumn, and should be harvested in late autumn when old and red for medicinal use. Its nature originates from Blood. Blood originates from Metal and Water but is formed by Wood and Fire. When Qi completes its formation and exerts the function of Fire, it is indeed due to Heavenly Qi. However, if Yang Qi cannot perform transformation without Yin assistance, the Qi of Fire may stagnate. This may manifest as difficulty in urination or acute dysentery, even leading to damp-heat accumulation. The principle is thus. Various texts state that *Chi Xiao Dou* is the "Heart object of the Kidney" (medicinal substance associated with the Heart within the Kidney system). Li Shizao called it the kidney's heart-substance, while Li Shizhen (Binhu) called it the "grain of the Heart." This refers to Yang being transformed by Yin, and Yin following Yang's transformation, thereby allowing the function of Water to operate. Therefore, the *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* first indicates its use for water disorders, such as lower GI bleeding, Hong Xiang Jiao (Hong Kong Foot, referring to gouty arthritis or severe leg swelling), and He Xi Feng. These benefits derive from the Qi transformation of the Heart and Small Intestine. Li Shizao said "condense Qi and move Wind," meaning that once human Qi transformation spreads, Water transformation proceeds. If Lung Qi is insufficient to reach these areas, it is termed insufficiency of Water Yuan, leading to heat-toxin formation. All heat syndromes transform through this mechanism. Seeking the truth in this principle, although it must be stated that it transforms Yin via Yang, it is essentially because it benefits the Qi transformation of the Water Zang (Kidney). Qi movement facilitates Water movement; is it merely for promoting diuresis? (Moreover, its efficacy is most prominent in the Heart and Kidney.) For example, Fu Shen San (Poria Spirit Powder) treating delirium is specifically for Heart disease, using *Chi Xiao Dou* to move Water, which is not unsuitable for Yin-Water syndromes. Use *Chi Xiao Dou* and discontinue once the illness resolves; do not overdose. (Zhongchun) Long-term use causes excessive descending action, leading to leakage of Jin-Ye (Body Fluids) and Blood, causing emaciation and heavy body sensation. (Binhu)

[Supplementary Discussion] The Upper Jiao is dominated by Yang. Without Yin, Yang cannot transform, so Heavenly Qi cannot descend and faces exhaustion in its descending phase. Harmonizing Yin to transform Yang is a temporary measure. Only by allowing Metal Qi to reach Yin is also a temporary measure, aiming ultimately for the harmonization of Water and Fire, as stated...