Library

(Ganqi, Resinaae Kansui) Pungent, salty, bitter, warm, toxic. For medicinal use, it should be black lacquer-like, crushed, and stir-fried until the smoke disappears; otherwise, it damages the stomach and intestines. If it is dried from wet lacquer, it is good; some are calcined to retain their properties, taken with decoctions or for herbal baths. If entering a lacquer room, first use Ganqi (Resinae Kansui); that which dries naturally in barrels, resembling honeycombs with distinct holes, is best. The medicine market uses charcoal to pass off as Ganqi (Resinae Kansui), which is extremely incorrect. Charcoal belongs to the stone category.

(Wutongzi, Semen Firmianae) Large as a giant date, over an inch long, containing seed flakes inside the shell, light and hollow like elm seeds or hibiscus fruits; when old, the shell cracks and scatters with the wind.

(Tongyou, Oleum Verniciflu) Sweet, slightly pungent, cold, highly toxic. Tongyou (Oleum Verniciflu) induces vomiting; wine can resolve its toxicity. Oil tung trees grow near Jiangzhou. People plant them extensively, harvest seeds to press oil for sale. When scarce, local customs mistakenly call Renyou (Oleum Perillae) as Tongyou (Oleum Verniciflu), which is incorrect.

(Haitongpi, Cortex Erythrinae) Bitter, warm, neutral. The bark has large thorns, like those on a softshell turtle's shell. Haitongye (Folium Erythrinae) is as large as a hand, with three flowers, pointed tips, and body covered in large thorns like a tree. There is also a separate Haitonghua (Flos Erythrinae), described differently in herb flower catalogs.

(Lianshi, Fructus Meliae) This is Lianshi (Fructus Meliae). Bitter, sour, cold, slightly toxic. Steam with wine mixed, scrape off the skin when soft, and use the flesh. The kernel and flesh should not be used together; if boiled in starch water, it becomes highly toxic and fatal.

(Baiji, Rhizoma Bletillae) Bitter, neutral. Harvest before flowering for medicinal use, stir-fry before application.

(Jingtian, Herba Sedis) Bitter, cold, sour, salty. Jingtian (Herba Sedis) acts as an assistant herb.

(Xuchangqing, Radix et Rhizoma Cynanchi Paniculati) Bitter, slightly cold. Soaking the bark in water turns it greenish-blue; writing on paper leaves a cyan mark indicates authenticity. Scrape off the outer layer slightly before use. Daji (Radix Euphorbiae) is an antagonist; it clashes with Wuzhuyu (Fructus Evodiae), Kuhu (Fructus Benincasae), and Fangkui (Radix Saposhnikoviae).

(Gancao, Radix Glycyrrhizae) Sweet, neutral. Remove the upper skin, stir-fry before use.

(Zaojiao, Fructus Gleditsiae Sinensis) Salty, pungent, warm, slightly toxic. There are three types: one is Zhu Ya Zao Jiao (Sinensis Gleditsiae Fructus in pig-tooth shape), lacking moisture and unable to clean dirt; another is coarse, large, long, and hollow without moisture; the third is round, thick, short, and dense. The skin may be roasted with su (lard) or honey repeatedly, or processed with Fenshuang (Calomel), Liuhuang (Sulfur), and Shasha (Realgar).

(Xingren, Semen Armeniacae Amarum) Pungent, warm. Select firm and plump ones, boil thoroughly, remove the skin, take the white meat, and remove the yellow part.

(Taoren, Semen Persicae) Pungent, warm.

(Dahuang, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) Bitter, warm. Generally, it should not be used alone. Those eaten by insects and full of holes are preferred. When preparing for medicine, avoid copper and iron vessels and sudden heat shocks. Small pieces with fine textures should be ground in a mortar and dried through paper.