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Chi Jian (Rhizoma Gastrodiae, commonly known as Tianma/Gastrodia) is what we now call Tianma (Gastrodia elata). Later authors, having erroneously listed Tianma as a separate entry, consequently classified Chi Jian as a distinct substance. Since this independent "Chi Jian" does not exist, people took the seedling of Tianma to substitute for it. This is even more incorrect; *Bencao* (Materia Medica) explicitly states: harvest the root and dry it in the shade. How can the seedling be used as the root? It belongs to the upper grade of herbal medicines. Apart from the Five Mushrooms (Wuzhi), Chi Jian ranks first. It is a superior herb for immortals to tonify, regulate, and nourish life. People are confused by the concept of Tianma and thus only use it to treat wind disorders, which is truly regrettable! Some say its stem resembles an arrow. Given the name Chi Jian (Red Arrow), one might suspect the stem should be used, but this is also incorrect. Consider plants like Iris tectorii (Yuwei) and Achyranthes bidentata (Niuxi); their names refer to similarities in stems or leaves, yet the roots are used. What is there to doubt?

Di Song (Lamium amplexicaule) is Tianningjing (Lamium amplexicaule). People neither recognize Tianningjing nor mistakenly identify Di Song as Huolian (Rubia cordifolia or similar). *Bencao* further lists Heshi (Herba Pedaliorum), causing further confusion. Current examination confirms that Di Song is Tianningjing. Its leaves resemble those of Pine (Song) and Vitex rotundifolia (Manjing; note: Tianningjing refers to Manjing here). Hence, it has two names. Heshi (Crabgrass fruit/Herba Pedaliorum) is its fruit. There is a method in the world for single-administration of Huolian, which actually involves consuming Di Song, not Huolian. Huolian is named Li (Chenopodium album or related species) in *Bencao*, which is Pig Fat Berry (Rubia cordifolia). Later generations...

Nanzhu Caomu Ji (Record of Nanzhu Plant), various theories in circulated *Bencao*. Few people today understand how to prepare Qingjing Fan (Black Rice). The color is black, yet they mistakenly use Cornus alba (Wujiu) to make it, which is entirely wrong, as this is a woody plant. It somewhat resembles a herbaceous plant, hence called Nanzhu Caomu (Southern Candle Plant). What people call Nantianzhu today is this. In the south, it is often planted between courtyard railings. The stem resembles Physalis (Shuolu), with nodes, three to four chi high; in Mount Lu, some reach over one zhang. The leaves slightly resemble Melia azedarach (Lian) but are smaller. By autumn, the fruits are red like cinnabar, very abundant in the south.

Taiyin Yuanjing (Mineral Salt Crystals), produced in the large salt marshes of Jiezhou, obtained from the soil within ditches. Large pieces are like apricot leaves, small ones like fish scales, all hexagonal, upright as if carved, just like turtle shells. Its skirt-like edges, if drooping forward, taper downwards; if rising backward, taper upwards, just like Pangolin scales. Where they overlap, it is entirely like turtle shells, with no difference. The color is green and crystal clear; when struck, it splits along the grain, bright as a mirror. The split surfaces are also hexagonal, like willow leaves. After burning, they disintegrate completely. The split flakes are thin as willow leaves, separating piece by piece, white as snow, flat, clean, and lovely. This is formed by the condensation of accumulated Yin Qi, hence all are hexagonal. The Yuanjing used throughout the world today is actually Jiangshi (Jiang Stone) from the mountains of Jiangzhou, not true Yuanjing. In Chuzhou, Yancheng County, under the soil of ancient salt warehouses, there is another substance, hexagonal like Mayanxiao (Sodium Nitrate crystals), clear and crystalline like rock crystal, moist and lovely. The local area also calls it Taiyin Yuanjing, but it tends to become damp after exposure to sun, resembling salt brine. Only those produced in Jiezhou are authentic.