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(Those resembling dry bones with heavy oil content are of good quality. Fire exposure is contraindicated; when decocting, grind into juice or take in cooked soup. To solidify the large intestine, it should be roasted in flour until cooked.)

(When used for tonification and regulating the spleen and stomach, use the processed (cooked) form; for external surgery, use the raw form. Slicing must be done with a copper knife. *Zhi Zhi* (Ganoderma sinense) serves as its guiding herb. It is incompatible with *Gansui* (Kansui Root).)

(When using this herb, do not use *Huangjing* (Polygonatum Rhizome) and *Gouwen* (Aconitum hypoleucum), as they resemble each other. *Weirui* (Asparagus Fern Tuber) has bristles on its stem, spotted stems, and leaf tips with small yellow spots, which distinguishes it. After harvesting, scrape off the node skin with a bamboo knife, wash clean, soak overnight in honey water, steam, then dry by baking. It fears halide salts.)

(Small granules, green color, and sweet taste indicate superior quality. Stir-fry with glutinous rice; it becomes sticky to teeth. Typically, one liang of the herb is stir-fried with one liang of glutinous rice until the rice is cooked, then remove the rice and use the herb. Alternatively, boiling in salt water is another method. Soak in decoction three times to remove oily vapors, then sun-dry for use.)

(Non-oily and non-insect-infested specimens are good. Finely chop, soak overnight in wine, drain, and sun-dry. Another method involves soaking in rice washing water to remove hairs, steaming, or crushing and baking. It fears *Haige* (Concha Meretricis) and *Wenge* (Concha Arcae); iron is contraindicated.)

(The heart must be removed; otherwise, ingestion causes chest stuffiness. After removing the heart, soak overnight in cooked licorice decoction, drain, and sun-dry. It works well with *Fuling* (Poria), *Longgu* (Fossilized Bones), and *Dongkuizi* (Malva Seed). It fears *Zhenzhu* (Pearl), *Feilian* (Carduus Thistle), *Lilu* (Veratrum Nigrum), and *Qige*.)

(Soak overnight in licorice decoction until dawn, drain, and sun-dry. Do not take on an empty stomach, as it may cause urinary incontinence. *Guanzhong* (Cyathulae Radix) and *Chixiaodou* (Adzuki Bean) serve as guiding herbs. It is incompatible with *Dihuang* (Rehmanniae Radix) and *Fang Kui* (Peucedani Radix).)

(Pick out double-leafed specimens, as consuming them harms the body. Wash clean and remove mud/sand. *Zengqinggen* (Atrotomentosa Root) serves as a guiding herb. Raw vegetables and lynx meat are contraindicated. It dislikes *Huang* (possibly referring to a specific toxic plant or mineral contextually), *Yelangdu* (Wolfbane), and *Shanzhuyu* (Cornus Fruit). It fears *Huashi* (Kaolin) and *Xiaoshi* (Niter).)

(Long strips that are solid inside and taste non-bitter are authentic. Remove the head soil, soak overnight in wine, drain, and sun-dry. Another method: steam with su (animal fat) from Si hour to You hour, then slowly bake dry. *Shihu* (Dendrobium Stem) and *Suoyang* (Cynomorii Herba) secure male vitality; if processed thus, taking a full yi (ancient weight unit) prevents bone pain forever. For temporary use, wine-steaming is applied; administration should follow these rules. *Luying* (Sambucus Willkommii) serves as a guiding herb. It dislikes *Ningshuishi* (Stalagmite) and *Badou* (Croton Seed). It fears *Leiwuan* (Holostemma).)

(Remove the heart, soak overnight in Goji berry decoction until slightly soft, drain, then soak in wine for a fu shi (12 hours), drain again, simmer with chrysanthemum until scorched yellow, remove chrysanthemum, wipe dry with cloth. Current methods only involve soaking in wine overnight, chopping, and baking before use. If urgent, simply soften in warm water and remove the heart. *Fupenzi* (Rubus Fruit) serves as a guiding herb. It dislikes *Leiwuan* (Holostemma), *Danshen* (Salvia Miltiorrhiza), and *Chaosheng*.)