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(That is, Pò Gù Zhǐ [Psoraleae Fructus], with those that are round, solid, and black in color being of good quality. This herb has a strongly drying nature. Each time it is used, soak it in Jiǔ (Wine) overnight, then strain it out, discarding the floating parts. Subsequently, soak it in Dōng Liú Shuǐ (East-flowing water) for three days and nights, then steam it from Sì shí (9-11 AM) to Shēn shí (3-5 PM), take it out, and dry it in the sun for use. Avoid iron. It works well with Hú Táo (Walnut) and Hú Má (Sesame). It is incompatible with Gān Cǎo (Licorice Root). Avoid consuming various blood products and Yún Tái (Bok Choy).)

(When processing Bàn Xià [Pinelliae Rhizoma], grind it in a clay mortar with Cù (Vinegar) until completely dissolved, then dry it near fire, sift it again, and use it. Another method is to roast it over fire, soak it in vinegar, simmer until cooked, and slice it. It works well with Jiǔ (Wine) and Cù (Vinegar).)

(Soak raw Gān Cǎo [Licorice Root] in water for one full day and night, then strain it out, remove the head and roots, dry it by baking, and it is ready for inclusion in prescriptions.)

(It can resolve the toxicity of hundreds of medicines. Crush it raw to extract juice for oral administration, or powder it and decoct it; both methods are acceptable.)

(Powder for use.)

(Those that are fine are better. Remove the hairs, wash clean with water, pick out sand and stones, pound off the skin in a stone mortar, soak thoroughly in Tóng Biàn (Child's urine), dry in the sun, and pound again. Alternatively, soak in Jiǔ (Wine), Cù (Vinegar), Sū (Butter/Ghee), saline water, or Shēng Jiāng Zhī (Ginger Juice), and bake on tiles until dry. It works well with Chuān Xiōng [Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix], Cāng Zhú [Atractylodis Rhizoma], Cù (Vinegar), and Tóng Zǐ Xiǎo Biàn (Young Boy's Urine). Avoid iron.)

(That is Hàn Lián Cǎo [Ecliptae Herba], which has a very cold nature and is suitable for making paste. It must be processed under sunlight. Avoid iron.)

(Roast slowly over low heat until fragrant and hot for use. Some say using it seven times raw and seven times roasted for consumption is also beneficial. Avoid drinking hot tea, as doing so will cause diarrhea.)

(It is miraculous in treating hemoptysis due to Lung Heat. Historically produced in Wú Zhōu, now produced in Níng Zhōu.)

(The bottom is flat with nine angles, colored like iron. One weighing one liang indicates full Qi potency and is usable. When processing ten liang, roast over moderate-to-strong fire until wrinkled and cracked; discard these. Use a knife to scrape off the seed-bearing part on top and the sharp tip at the bottom. Split open, place in a pit dug in the ground under the house in the afternoon, about one chi deep, leave overnight, retrieve the next morning, and dry by baking. For Bran-fried processing, use ash fire; for Roasting, do not use miscellaneous wood fire, only Willow wood is best. If Yin-processing is required, use raw material, remove tips, skin, and base, cut thinly, soak in East-flowing water and Black Beans for five days and nights, then strain and sun-dry until dry. Processing requires Yin-method, removing tips and skin. For every ten liang, use five liang of raw Black Beans and six sheng of East-flowing water. One view holds that this substance is too potent; ancient formulas used fire roasting, but soaking through in Child's urine is superior. Dì Dǎn [Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix] acts as its assistant. With Shǔ Jiāo (Sichuan Pepper) and Shí Yán (Salt), it descends to Mìng Mén (Gate of Life). It is opposed by Wú Gōng (Centipede) and Chǐ Zhī (Fermented Soybean Juice). It fears Fáng Fēng [Saposhnikoviae Radix] and Gan...)

(Older stock is of better quality. If processing four liang, first crush the Bàn Xià [Pinelliae Rhizoma], add two liang of Bái Jiè Zǐ (White Mustard Seed) powder and six liang of Cù (Vinegar), stir until turbid, then throw the Ban Xia into it to wash three times before use. Ban Xia has nest-like saliva; if not washed clean, it causes Qi rebellion and Liver Qi stagnation with distension. If used for treating Phlegm-Fluids, soak in Bái Fán (Alum) solution with Shēng Jiāng Zhī (Ginger Juice) until penetrated, wash clean, until no white spots remain. Method for making Qu (Medicated Leaven): Use any amount of Bàn Xià, soak in boiling water overnight, pound into a paste. For every dou of Ban Xia, add one jin of Shēng Jiāng (Fresh Ginger), pound together into cakes. Cover with dry rice straw or millet/wheat straw to ferment into Qu. Dry and store for long-term use. Yè Jié [Belamcandae Rhizoma] and Chái Hú [Bupleuri Radix] act as its assistants. It is opposed by Zào Jiá (Gleditsia Spine), Hǎi Zǎo (Sargassum), Yí Táng (Maltose), and Yáng Xuè (Sheep Blood). It fears Shēng Jiāng (Fresh Ginger), Gān Jiāng (Dried Ginger), Qín Pí (Phellodendri Cortex), Guī Jiǎ (Carapax et Plastrum Testudinis), and Xióng...)