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Lin Qin (Chinese Quince)

Taste: Sour, sweet. Nature: Warm. Do not consume in excess, as it may cause fever, qi stagnation, excessive sleepiness, generation of cold phlegm, sores and boils, and obstruction of the pulse. The tree resembles the Nai tree (Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta), and the fruit is round like a Nai. It ripens in June and July and is now available everywhere. (Supplementary note)

Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully cite Meng Shen: Lin Qin primarily treats polydipsia (excessive thirst). Chen Shiliang states: There are three types; the large, elongated ones are Nai; the round ones are Lin Qin, ripening in summer; the small, astringent ones ripen in autumn. Ri Huazi states: Lin Qin is non-toxic, directs qi downward, treats abdominal pain caused by cholera-like disorder (Huoluan), and resolves phlegm.

"Tujing" (Illustrated Classic) states: Lin Qin's origin province was not recorded in older texts, but it is now found everywhere. Some call it Laiqin. The wood resembles Nai, and the fruit is rounder than Nai, ripening in the sixth and seventh months. There are two varieties: sweet and sour. The sweet variety ripens early and has a crisp, delicious taste; the sour variety ripens later and must be soft and fully ripe to be eaten. Those suffering from polydipsia should eat it. It generates cold phlegm. Modern folk physicians also dry it. It is used in preparations for treating Cold Damage diseases, known as Lin Qin San (Quince Powder).

"Shiliao" (Dietary Therapy) states: Nature is warm. It treats grain dysentery and seminal emission. The root growing eastward treats white worms and roundworms. For polydipsia and lethargy, do not eat too much. Additionally, Lin Qin tastes bitter and astringent, nature is neutral, and it is non-toxic. Eating it obstructs the hundred vessels. "Shiyi Xinjing": Treats water dysentery. Take ten semi-ripe Lin Qin fruits, add one sheng of water, decoct to obtain one sheng of liquid, mix with Lin Qin powder, and eat on an empty stomach. "Zimu Milu": Treats pediatric dysentery. Crush Lin Qin and Gouzi (Lycium fruit) to extract juice and take it, administering more as appropriate until recovery. Another prescription: For emaciation. Crush Lin Qin into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply to the affected area. If the mass moves, reapply accordingly.

Li Heren (Apricot Kernel from Plum)

Taste: Bitter. Nature: Neutral. Non-toxic. Treats blood stasis resulting from falls and trauma, and bone pain.

Root bark: Nature is very cold. Treats polydipsia, relieves mental restlessness, and directs rebellious qi downward.

Fruit: Taste is bitter. Clears stubborn heat, harmonizes the middle jiao.

Tao Hongjing states: There are many varieties of plum. In Jingkou, there is Mai Li (Wheat Plum), which ripens when wheat ears appear; the fruit is small, sweet, and crisp, and its pit is not used in medicine. Currently, we use Nanju Li from Gushu, where pits that separate like apricot kernels are considered best. All fruits are good when cooked, but they should not be eaten with sparrow meat, nor should one eat them while near water. Decoction of plum bark held in the mouth is excellent for toothache. According to other editions' notes: There are many plum varieties, including green, yellow, purple, red, and water plums, all edible. They are extremely sweet and delicious, but their kernels are not used in medicine. Wild plums are bitter, named Yuzi Li, and their kernels are used medicinally. Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully cite "Erya": Bo is red plum. Explanation: A plum tree that bears no fruit is called Xiu. Guo Pu says: Also known as Zhao Li. Cuo (pronounced Zuhe), grafted onto Wheat Plum, is the current Mai Li, with small fruits having grooves, ripening with wheat, hence the name. Red plums are called Bo. "Yaoxing Lun" states: Li Heren is a minister herb. It treats swelling and fullness in the lower abdomen of women. It treats pain from fractures and muscle injuries, promotes urination to reduce water retention, and eliminates swelling and fullness. It also states: Li root bark is an envoy herb. Bitter plums are used, tasting salty. It treats qi stagnation in the feet and heat-toxin irritability. Root decoction stops polydipsia. Meng Shen states: Plums treat sudden red or white leukorrhea in women. Take the bark from the east side of the plum tree, remove the rough outer layer, roast until yellow and fragrant, decoct in three sheng of water, strain, and drink. Verify twice daily. Respectfully note: It can also remove labor-heat between joints. Do not eat too much. Eating near water induces phlegmatic malaria. Additionally, Niu Li is toxic. Boil the juice thick and hold in the mouth. Treats dental caries and noma (gangrenous stomatitis) in the spine. The kernel inside the seed treats tympanites (abdominal distension). Grind and mix with flour to make cakes, eat on an empty stomach, and diarrhea will follow shortly.

Ri Huazi states: Plum is warm and non-toxic. It benefits qi, but excessive consumption causes deficient heat. Also, plum tree root is cool and non-toxic. It treats red and white dysentery; decoct strongly and drink. Plum flower is neutral and non-toxic. It treats high fever in children, smallpox/measles, convulsions, and epilepsy; used as a bathing decoction.

"Tujing" states: Li Heren's origin province was not recorded in older texts, but it is now found everywhere. Plum varieties are numerous. Those seen in "Erya" include: Xiu, which is the fruitless plum. Fruitless plums are also called Zhao Li. Cuo (Zuhe), Jielv Li, is the current Mai Li, with small grooved fruits ripening with wheat. There are also green, yellow, red, Fangling, Zhuzhong, Magan, and Huang plums, scattered in various texts, praised for their edible taste. Tao Hongjing states: None are used in medicine. Use Nanju Li from Gushu, where pits resemble apricot kernels. These are no longer recognized; physicians only use kernels resembling apricot shapes. Root bark is also used medicinally. Cui Yuanliang's "Haishang Fang" treats facial black moles: Take the kernel from the plum pit, peel, grind finely, mix with egg white to a thin syrup consistency, apply at night, wash with weak broth, then apply lead powder. Within five to six days...

Sun Simiao states liver disease patients should eat plums. "Shiyi Xinjing": Plum tastes sour, is non-toxic. It clears entrenched heat and harmonizes the middle. The Yellow Emperor states: Plums should not be eaten with honey, as it damages the five zang organs.

"Yanyi" states: Li Heren trees can grow up to one zhang high, but are rarely used by modern physicians. Eating fruit with Jiangshui (fermented grain liquid) causes cholera-like disorder and qi stagnation. However, the variety from Xiaoyao Town near the capital is the best and suitable for tribute. There is also Imperial Plum, with fruits cherry-sized, red-yellow, ripening before other plums. Although there are many varieties, those with great virtue fragrance everywhere like peach and plum blossoms. Other edition notes state: Wild plums are bitter, named Yuzi Li, and kernels are used. This is actually Yuzi Ren (Prunus davidiana kernel), a different species, found in Volume 14 of the Wood section, not wild plum.