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(Those that are black and have closed calyces are of good quality. Remove the pedicel and roots, then grind into powder.)

(When used, remove the shell and select the white interior. Wrap in paper and press to remove the oil, preparing it as a "frost" for use.)

(It can be made into powder, finely ground, or held in the mouth to be swallowed.)

(Those with nodes resembling bamboo joints are superior. After processing and removing the skin, its efficacy is enhanced by fire/heat.)

(Remove the skin, grind, and take orally.)

(Remove the nodes, soak in child's urine overnight, then dry by baking.)

(Freshly self-harvested herbs are suitable for decoction in soups/potions; they can also be incorporated into pills and powders, or crushed and applied externally to treat sores and toxins.)

(Humulus scandens (Tugua) acts as an guiding herb. Avoid contact with iron. It can stabilize mercury sulfide.)

(Humulus scandens (Tugua) acts as an guiding herb. Avoid contact with iron. It can stabilize mercury sulfide.)

(Originating from Hongshan area, Suichang County, Chuzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. Genuine products are unavailable in markets. The shape is smooth and hairless; the note in Bencao stating it has hair is incorrect.)

(Steam until cooked, allow to dry, break apart, and extract the white pith from the center for use in lamp fuel; this is called "cooked Jiedian". Those not steamed but directly dried and peeled are called "raw Jiedian". For medicinal use, it is difficult to process: dye it with rice starch paste, dry it, grind it into powder, suspend in water, clarify, and collect the floating material which is the Jiedian grass. Dry and use.)

(It can be formed into pills or powders; both sand and grass forms can be used in medicine.)

(Dry and grind into powder, or decoct in water, decoct in wine, or crush to extract juice; all methods are acceptable for administration.)

(Self-cultivated varieties are superior. When rubbed, if it emits a mint-like fragrance, it is genuine; ordinary mint scent indicates it is not authentic.)

(After harvesting, first wipe off the hairs on leaves and stems using coarse cloth. Then soak in boiled licorice water for one full day, remove, cut, and dry for use. Morus alba (Duzhong) and Paeonia suffruticosa (Mudan) act as guiding herbs. It is incompatible with Iron filings (Tielluo), Fritillaria cirrhosa (Beimu), and Acorus tatarinowii (Changpu). It can neutralize malignant toxins.)

(When used, avoid thin pieces; select those with deep purple color. Remove the rough outer bark and use the central part which tastes pungent. From every jin (500g) of thick, deep-purple Cinnamon Twig, only five liang (250g) of the flavorful core should be extracted. Use raw. If not used immediately after preparation, wrap tightly in fine silk and paper to prevent exposure to wind. In this region, only Cinnamon Grass exists; true Cinnamon Heart (Guixin) is made by boiling Dan Yang tree bark with Cinnamon Grass. When used, it should be pounded separately. Combined with Ginseng, Licorice, Ophiopogon, Rhubarb, and Scutellaria, it harmonizes the middle jiao and boosts Qi. Combined with Bupleurum, Purple Quartz, and Rehmannia, it treats vomiting and rebellious Qi. Raw form is contraindicated [in certain contexts/formulations].)

(Refers to the thin branches of the Cinnamon tree.)

(When harvested, discard fruits with single seeds or five seeds; only retain fruits with two or three seeds. When used, pound with a copper mortar to break them open. Soak in black ox milk overnight, then steam before use. Sedum aizoon (Jingtian) acts as a guiding herb.)

(Harvest before flowering; aged stock is superior. For medicinal use, select clean pieces, soak in wine, and stir-fry lightly. To stop bleeding, char/blacken during frying.)