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[Properties and Flavor] Sour and salty, with a slight sweet taste. The nature is astringent. Non-toxic.

[Indications] Primarily clears the lungs, resolves phlegm, and stops coughing. Relieves heat, generates fluids, and quenches thirst. Astringes dampness and dissipates alcohol toxicity. Darkens hair. Stops lower body bleeding. Treats chronic dysentery leading to rectal prolapse and loose teeth.

[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Heart and Lung meridians. It is an astringent and consolidating substance.

[Preliminary Discussion] Wang Ying stated: Its efficacy is similar to that of Galla Chinensis (Wubeizi), but after fermentation, its texture becomes light and void, its nature floats while retaining astringency, and it has a lingering sweet aftertaste. It treats the Upper Jiao Heart... [Text cuts off here].

Above are the Astringent Agents from the Insect Category.

Xu Zhicai stated: Dryness can eliminate dampness. Examples include Baihua Sangye (Cortex Mori Radicis) and Xiaodou Chi (Semen Phaseoli Rubri). Wang Haogu stated: Dampness may be located in the Upper, Middle, or Lower Jiao... disease... Are Huanglian Rhizoma Coptidis, Huangbai Cortex Phellodendri, and Zhizi Fructus Gardeniae considered dry agents?

[Properties and Flavor] Bitter. Warm. Non-toxic. Can ascend and descend; it is Yang within Yin. Contraindicated for simultaneous use with Baizhu Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae.

[Indications] Primarily treats Bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness resulting in necrotic muscle tissue, spasms, and jaundice. (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*) Treats headache. Eliminates phlegm-fluid retention. Drives out wind-water accumulation and swelling under the skin. Clears heat causing urgency and fullness below the heart. Stops bleeding (from *Bencao Mingyi Lu*). Treats retained damp-phlegm and fluid retention.

[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Spleen, Stomach, Lung, Large Intestine, and Small Intestine meridians. It is a substance that dispels wind, eliminates dampness, raises Yang, and scatters depression. (Functions as both a Diffusing Agent and a Tonifying Agent).

[Preliminary Discussion] Li Dongyuan stated: Cangzhu Rhizoma Atractylodis has a vigorous ascending Qi. It can eliminate dampness in the lower part and stabilize the Taiyin Spleen, preventing pathogenic factors from invading the Spleen. Regarding its meridian... roughly similar... requires...

[Contraindications] Miao Xiyong (*Jingshu*) stated: For Ershu (Cangzhu Rhizoma Atractylodis and Baizhu Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), they must be avoided in cases of Yin deficiency with blood scarcity, insufficiency of essence, internal heat with steaming bone sensation, dry mouth and lips, cough with expectoration, hematemesis, and epistaxis.

[Properties and Flavor] Pungent. Warm. Slightly toxic. Born with abundant Fire Qi and scarce Metal Qi. Can ascend and descend; it is Yang within Yin. Contraindicated with milk and beef.

[Indications] Primarily treats cold qi in the heart and abdomen causing inability to eat. Treats wind-cold in the waist and legs causing spasmodic bi syndrome and inability to move limbs. Treats male consumptive disease (Xu Lao). Treats elderly urinary incontinence. Treats infertility. Benefits the Dao of Yang. Relieves fatigue. (...)

[Meridian Tropism] Enters the Mingmen (Gate of Life) meridian. Also enters the Liver and Pericardium meridians. It is a substance that tonifies Fire. (Functions as a Tonifying Agent, diffusing yet tonifying).

[Preliminary Discussion] Xu Zhenjun stated: The true Yang fire of the Mingmen is the primordial ancestral Qi. Heaven cannot generate living things without this fire; humans cannot sustain life without this fire. ...Upper...

[Processing] Lei Gong stated: Wash with clear water. Scrape off the skin with a bamboo knife. Cut into pieces the size of beans. Soak in rice wash water to remove red juice. Mix with wine. Steam for half a day. Sun-dry.