味咸平。主伤中疝瘕，瘀血凝结中焦。阴痿，益精生子，补益肾气。女子血闭，和
通血脉。腰痛，强肾之经。通五淋，利小便水道。通肾之府。
桑螵蛸，桑上螳螂所生之子也。螳螂于诸虫中最有力，而其子最繁，则其肾之强可知。
人之有子，皆本于肾，以子补肾，气相从也。桑性最能续伤和血，螵蛸在桑者，得桑之性，
故有养血逐瘀之功。
一气相通，茎与实无异，非若他药之根实各殊也。味甘平。主补中，味甘淡得中土
之性。养神，气香而中虚。益气力，脾肾旺则气血强。除百疾。中和之性无偏杂之害也。久
服，轻身耐老，不饥延年。和平之效。
藕者水土之精也，故能养脾胃之阴。生水底污泥之中，而无处不香，无节不通，故又能
疏达脾胃之气，而滋其血脉。湿而不滞，香而不燥，果中之圣品也。
味辛温。主胸中瘕热逆气，开达上焦之气。利水谷。通利中焦之滞。久服，去臭，下
气，通神。芳香辛烈，自能辟秽邪而通正气也。
橘柚通体皆香，而皮辛肉酸，乃肝脾通气之药也。故凡肝气不舒，克贼脾土之疾，皆能
已之
凡辛香之药皆上升，橘柚实酸，酸主敛，故又能降气，不专于散气也。
味甘平。主心腹邪气，安中养脾，建立中气，则邪气自除。助十二经，平胃气，十二
经皆受津液于脾胃，脾胃盛则十二经皆充也。通九窍，补而不滞。补少气、少津液，身中不
足，周身血气无不补也。大惊，甘能缓急。四肢重，脾虚则重，旺则轻也。和百药。百药气
味不齐而甘能调之。久服，轻身长年。皆补益后天之功。
枣味甘，而肉浓色赤，得火之色，土之味，故能建立中焦，温养脾胃，为后天之本。万
物生于土，土气充盈，诸经自皆受益矣。
[Sangpiaoxiao]
Taste: Salty. Nature: Neutral. Indications: Primarily treats hernia and zheng-masses (abdominal masses) caused by damage to the middle jiao, as well as blood stasis congealing in the middle jiao. Treats impotence; benefits essence and fertility; tonifies Kidney Qi. Treats amenorrhea in women; harmonizes and unblocks the vessels and collaterals. Treats lower back pain; strengthens the meridians of the Kidney. Treats the five types of Lin syndrome (dysuria); promotes urination and the water passages; unblocks the mansion of the Kidney.
Sangpiaoxiao is the egg case produced by the mantis on mulberry trees. Among all insects, the mantis is the most powerful, and its offspring are the most numerous, indicating the strength of its Kidney. Human procreation is fundamentally rooted in the Kidney; using the offspring of the mantis to tonify the Kidney works because their Qi resonates with each other. The nature of the mulberry tree is best at healing injuries and harmonizing blood. Since Sangpiaoxiao grows on the mulberry, it inherits the nature of the mulberry, thus possessing the efficacy of nourishing blood and expelling blood stasis.
Its Qi connects seamlessly with the human body; its stem and fruit are indistinguishable, unlike other herbs where roots and fruits differ significantly.
[Dazao]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Indications: Primarily tonifies the Middle Jiao; the sweet and bland taste aligns with the nature of Earth (Spleen/Stomach). Nourishes the Shen (Spirit); its fragrance addresses deficiency in the center. Benefits Qi and strength; when Spleen and Kidney functions are robust, Qi and Blood become strong. Eliminates myriad diseases; its neutral nature avoids harm from bias or impurity. Long-term consumption lightens the body, delays aging, prevents hunger, and extends longevity, reflecting its harmonious effect.
Ou (Lotus Root) is the essence of Water and Earth, thus capable of nourishing the Yin of the Spleen and Stomach. Growing in the muddy bottom of water yet fragrant everywhere, and having nodes that connect throughout, it can also diffuse the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach and nourish their vessels. It is moist but not stagnant, fragrant but not drying, making it a supreme product among fruits.
[Juyou]
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Warm. Indications: Primarily treats heat and rebellious Qi due to zheng-accumulations in the chest; opens and diffuses the Qi of the Upper Jiao. Promotes digestion of water and grain; unblocks stagnation in the Middle Jiao. Long-term consumption removes foul odors, directs Qi downward, and clarifies the spirit. Its pungent and aromatic nature naturally repels turbid pathogens and unblocks righteous Qi.
Juyou (Citrus reticulata / Citrus maxima) is fragrant throughout, but the peel is pungent and the flesh is sour, making it a herb that communicates between the Liver and Spleen. Therefore, it can cure diseases caused by Liver Qi stagnation attacking the Spleen Earth.
Generally, pungent and aromatic herbs ascend; however, the fruit of Juyou is sour. Sourness governs astringency, so it can also direct Qi downward, not merely dispersing Qi.
[Dazao - Continued]
Taste: Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Indications: Primarily treats pathogenic factors in the heart and abdomen; calms the Middle and nourishes the Spleen. By establishing Middle Qi, pathogenic factors are naturally eliminated. Assists the Twelve Meridians; harmonizes Stomach Qi. The Twelve Meridians receive fluids from the Spleen and Stomach; when the Spleen and Stomach are prosperous, the Twelve Meridians are filled. Opens the nine orifices; tonifying without causing stagnation. Tonifies deficient Qi and fluids; remedies bodily insufficiencies, benefiting the Qi and Blood of the entire body. For sudden fright, sweetness relieves urgency. For heavy limbs, Spleen deficiency causes heaviness, while Spleen prosperity brings lightness. Harmonizes various medicines; since medicinal flavors vary, sweetness can regulate them. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life, all demonstrating the function of tonifying the Postnatal Foundation.
The date is sweet in taste, with dense flesh and red color, inheriting the hue of Fire and the flavor of Earth. Thus, it establishes the Middle Jiao, warms and nourishes the Spleen and Stomach, serving as the root of the Postnatal Foundation. All things grow from Earth; when Earth Qi is abundant, all meridians benefit.