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This is the fruit of *Platycladus orientalis* (Cypress).
Sweet, acrid, neutral in nature. Steam until cooked, expose to strong sunlight, pound and winnow to extract the kernel, stir-fry and grind for medicinal use. It is incompatible with *Chrysanthemi Flos* (Ju Hua) and *Rumex japonicus* (Yang Ti Cao).

Bitter, astringent, cold in nature. There are several species of cypress; only those with flat leaves growing on the side are used for medicine, hence the name "Side Cypress" (*Ce Bai Ye*). They may be used raw or stir-fried, according to the specific prescription. *Ostrea concha* (Mu Li) and *Cinnamomi Ramulus* (Gui Zhi) act as guiding herbs. It is incompatible with *Chrysanthemi Flos*, *Rumex japonicus*, various mineral drugs, and fermented grain starters; it can counteract arsenic trioxide and sodium nitrate.

Bitter, sweet, warm in nature. Whenever *Pini Resina* (Song Zhi) is used, it must first be refined. Place water in a large cauldron and set up a steamer basket. Line the bottom of the steamer with white cogon grass (*Imperatae Rhizoma*), then filter through fine cloth or cotton cloth until the resin is white as jade, before using it. It can counteract mercury.
The *Pini Resina* sold in markets is often mixed with resins from other trees; this must be carefully identified.

Sweet, acrid, extremely hot in nature, with slight toxicity. There are various types of cinnamon; *Cinnamomi Cortex* (Rou Gui) refers to the bark closest to the root, which is the thickest, with a pungent aroma and dense flesh. *Guan Gui* is of secondary thickness from the middle section, with a milder taste than Rou Gui. One should retain the rough outer bark... [Text fragment] *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gan Cao), *Ophiopogonis Radix* (Mai Dong), *Rhei Radix et Rhizoma* (Da Huang), *Scutellariae Radix* (Huang Qin).

Acrid, sweet, slightly warm in nature. Remove the rough outer bark before use. Cinnamon must be selected for its purple-red color and pungent aroma; if not pungent, it should not be included in prescriptions. In the market, there is a type called Songpu Gui, which is completely unsuitable for use.

Acrid, warm in nature. Brush off the hairs and lightly roast. *Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma* (Xiong) acts as a guiding herb. It is antagonistic to *Wushi Zhi* (Five Minerals Earth) and incompatible with *Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma* (Chang Pu), *Typhae Pollen* (Pu Huang), *Coptidis Rhizoma* (Huang Lian), *Gypsum Fibrosum* (Shi Gao), and *Huang Huan*.

Acrid, bitter, warm in nature. For pills and powders, grind into a fine powder; for decoctions, it must be ground fresh and added just before serving. Avoid sun-drying or fire-roasting. There are three grades of agarwood: Chenxiang (sinking), Zhanxiang, and Huangshuxiang. The sinking variety is superior, followed by others; non-sinking varieties can be used for fumigation or incense.
The agarwood currently sold in markets often has a scorched, pungent odor and does not sink in water; these belong to the category of Huangshuxiang and are not the finest quality of Chenxiang. For medicinal use... high-grade products... two types of wood... all... although one cannot currently determine its...

Acrid, hot in nature. Select purple cloves, remove the calyx (Ding Dingai) and the smaller buds (Ruzi), as they may induce carbuncles on the back. Do not expose to fire. There are male and female varieties. The male variety consists of small granules known as Dingxiang; the female variety is larger, resembling *Corni Fructus* (Shanzhuyu), known as Jishe Xiang, or Mother Clove, which is the most superior for medicinal use. It is incompatible with *Curcumae Radix* (Yujin).