Library

[Oufu Jing / Lotus Stem]
The flavor is sweet, and the nature is neutral. It primarily tonifies the middle jiao (middle energizer), nourishes the spirit (Shen), enhances qi and strength, and eliminates various diseases. Long-term consumption makes the body light, delays aging, reduces hunger, and prolongs life.
It is also known as Shuizhi Dan (Water Mushroom Pill). It grows in ponds and marshes.
*Names of Famous Physicians* states: Also known as Lian (Lotus). Grows in Runan. Harvested in August.
Research: *Shuowen Jiezi* states: Ou (lotus root) is the root of Fuqu; Lian (lotus seed) is the fruit of Fuqu; Qie (lotus stem) is the stem of Fuqu. *Erya* states: He is Fuqu. Guo Pu comments: Also named Furong; in the Jiangdong region, it is called He; its stem is called Qie; its fruit is called Lian. Guo Pu further states: Lian refers to the lotus pod, and its root is Ou.

[Dazao / Jujube]
The flavor is sweet, and the nature is neutral. It primarily expels pathogenic factors from the heart and abdomen, stabilizes the middle jiao, nourishes the spleen, unblocks the twelve meridians, harmonizes stomach qi, opens the nine orifices, supplements deficiency of qi and fluids, addresses bodily weakness, alleviates symptoms caused by great fright, removes heaviness in the four limbs, and harmonizes various medicinal herbs. Long-term consumption makes the body light and promotes longevity. If leaves are covered over Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), it induces sweating. It grows in plains and marshes.
*Wu Pu's Materia Medica* states: Zao primarily regulates the middle jiao, benefits spleen qi, improves complexion, and enhances morale (*Da Guan Bencao* cites *Wushi Bencao*).
*Names of Famous Physicians* states: Also known as Gan Zao (dried jujube), Mei Zao (beautiful jujube), Liang Zao (good jujube). Harvested in August, dried in the sun. Grows in Hedong.
Research: *Shuowen Jiezi* states: Zao is Yang Zao. *Erya* states: Zun is Yang Zao. Guo Pu comments: The fruit is small and round, purple-black, commonly called Yangshi Zao (sheep-dung jujube) today. There is also Xi Dazao (washed large jujube). Guo Pu comments: Large jujubes produced in Yishi County, Hedong, are the size of chicken eggs.

[Puta / Grape]
The flavor is sweet, and the nature is neutral. It primarily treats bi-syndrome (painful obstruction syndrome) of the sinews and bones due to wind-dampness, tonifies qi, increases strength, strengthens willpower, makes the person robust and strong,耐饥 (endures hunger), and withstands wind-cold. Long-term consumption makes the body light, prevents aging, and prolongs life. It can be used to make wine. It grows in valleys and mountains.
*Names of Famous Physicians* states: Grows in Longxi, Wuyuan, and Dunhuang.
Research: *Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of Dayuan* states: In the regions around Dayuan, wine was made from grapes. Han envoys brought back their fruits, so the Emperor began planting alfalfa and grapes there, where the land was fertile. Some doubt that *Shennong Bencao Jing* should contain grapes, suggesting they were added by *Names of Famous Physicians* and should be marked as later additions. However, *Rites of Zhou - Changren* states: Planting fruits, rare and precious items. Zheng Xuan comments: Rare and precious items include grapes and loquats, indicating that ancient China originally had these, but the varieties from Dayuan were exceptional, hence specifically imported for cultivation. The old text uses "Pu", which is corrected to "Pu" based on *Records of the Grand Historian*.