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[Lei Xue said] It should be processed until the skin wrinkles, and the tip and base removed before use. Alternatively, it may be prepared by yin-processing (shade-drying) in the same manner as Fuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix).

[Meng Shen said] When preparing pills or powders, process it and remove the skin for use. When decocting for liquid medicine, use it together with Fuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix).

[Li Shizhen said] Caowutou (Aconitum kusnezoffii Rhizome) may be used raw, processed, or boiled with black soybeans to eliminate its toxicity before use.

[Su Song said] In September, harvest the roots of Huzhang (Arisaema erubescens), remove the outer skin and umbilicus, place them in a vessel, and soak in hot water for five to seven days. Change the water three to four times daily to wash away the saliva-like mucus, then sun-dry for use. Or wash thoroughly again, still using small pits (specific containers/steps) to retrieve for use. [Note: The remaining text "Chang sa Pi xu mo zuo qu huang" is garbled/illegible in the source and omitted.]

[Tao Hongjing said] Whenever Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber) is used, wash it with hot water more than ten times until the slippery sensation is completely gone. Otherwise, its toxicity will irritate the throat. In prescriptions containing Banxia, Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) must be used because it controls the toxicity of Banxia.

[Lei Xue said] To process four liang of Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber), use two liang of Baijiezim (Sinapis Semen) powder and six liang of strong vinegar. Stir until turbid, submerge the Banxia to remove phlegm juice; this is an excellent method.

[Lei Xue said] Whenever harvesting roots, first soak them in rice washing water overnight, drain, then boil them with Zhu Ye (Bambusae Folium) from Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM) to Hai hour (9 PM-11 PM). Sun-dry for use.

[Tao Hongjing said] When using, lightly roast. Do not let it near the eyes.

[Li Shizhen said] Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos) that has been stored for several years is superior. When using, boil in good vinegar for about ten boils, discard the vinegar, soak in water overnight, then sun-dry to eliminate toxicity. Using vinegar-fried Yuanhua is inferior.

[Lei Xue said] Whenever using, select the leaves, cut finely, and place together with Sheng Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) and Shui Liao (Persicaria hydropiper) into a bag made of raw fine silk. Steam in a steamer for one day, remove the herbs and bag, then sun-dry for use.

[Lei Xue said] Whenever using, do not use Tianbicazhi (seeds of Tianbi grass), which look very similar but have a sour, astringent, and sticky taste. After harvesting Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), remove the shell, soak in Kujiu (vinegar) for two shichen (4 hours), discard the liquid, soak again, sun-dry, and pound. Place in paper. [Note: Text is fragmented.]

[Lei Xue said] Whenever using, split into two pieces with a copper knife, soak and steam in honey from Si hour (9 AM-11 AM) to Shen hour (3 PM-5 PM), then soak in Jiangshui (fermented grain water) overnight, and bake dry for use.

[Li Shizhen said] Use cooked form for tonifying medicines, and raw form for cough medicines.