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[Spina Jujubae Flos / Spine Flower]
Taste: Bitter. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats internal leakage from metal weapon injuries (Jin Chuang). Collection time: Collected within 120 days after the Winter Solstice.

Fruit: Indications: Improves vision, treats Wei-bi (flaccidity and numbness) in the heart and abdomen, clears heat, promotes urination. Habitat: Grows by roadsides. Collection time: Collected in April. Aliases: Xi Ming (a plant name), Ma Qu, Ci Yuan. Another variety called Zao Zhen is used to treat lower back pain and Hou Bi (sore throat with obstruction).

Tao Hongjing stated: This entry contains contradictions; likely many folk sayings are erroneous. However, it mentions that its flower is also called Xi Ming, which might refer to a different substance unrelated to Zao Zhen. Currently, people commonly use Asparagus cochinchinensis vine (Tianmendong Miao) as a substitute, but I do not approve. Tianmendong Miao is good for making beverages and benefits the body, but it cannot truly replace Spina Jujubae.

Xinxiu Bencao annotation states: There are red and white varieties of Ji (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa). Just as there are various colors among thorny plants, using the flower in subsequent entries is not surprising. Since Ji does not grow in Jiangnan, Li Yun uses Ji needles. Asparagus cochinchinensis vine is also called Dian Ji, and Southerners use it to replace Ji needles, which Tao Hongjing disapproved. For current use of Ji Ci (spines), the white variety is preferred. The flower is indeed the flower of Ji. It is concluded that Southerners confuse Zao (jujube) and Ji, hence they are mixed in the entry for Ji branches. Ministers Yu Xi et al. carefully noted according to Shuben Bencao annotation: There are red and white varieties of Ji. Qieyun states: Ji is a small jujube tree. It is abundant in fields, growing in clumps three or two chi high, with flowers, leaves, stems, and fruits resembling those of the jujube tree.

Tu Jing has detailed this under the entry "Bai Ji" (White Ji).

Shenghui Fang: Treats all types of Gan syndrome (malnutrition syndrome) in children. Use equal parts of Ci Zhen (thorn needle) and Gua Di (seed of Trichosanthes kirilowii) ground into powder, insufflated into the nose twice daily.

[Poria]
Taste: Sweet, Bitter. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats Nue (malaria), detoxifies Gu Zhu (chronic wasting disease caused by parasites or epidemic qi) and inauspicious conditions, promotes water passage. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging. Alias: Zhu Shi (pig dung). Habitat: Grows in valleys of Hengshan Mountain and Yuanju of Ji Yin. Collection time: Collected in February and August, dried in shade.

Tao Hongjing stated: This is Poria growing under maple trees. Its skin is extremely black and block-like, resembling pig dung, hence the name. The flesh should be white and solid for best quality. When used, the black skin must be peeled off before weighing. Ministers Yu Xi et al. carefully noted according to Wu Shi: Shen Nong considered Poria sweet; Lei Gong considered it bitter and non-toxic. Sima Bao's commentary on Zhuangzi states: Shi Tuo, also known as Ling. The root resembles pig dung and treats thirst. Yaoxing Lun states: Poria is a subordinate herb, slightly hot. It resolves severe heat from Shanghan (cold damage) and Wen Yi (warm epidemics), induces sweating, and treats swelling, fullness, and acute abdominal pain.

Tu Jing stated: Poria grows in valleys of Hengshan Mountain and Yuanju of Ji Yin; it is now also found in Shu Zhou and Mei Zhou. Old theories claim it is Maple Wood Ling, but currently it does not necessarily grow under maple roots; it can grow at the bottom of the soil, with black block-like skin resembling pig manure, hence the name. Also known as Di Wu Tao. Collected in February and August, dried in shade. Peel the skin; the whiter and more solid the flesh, the better. Zhuangzi calls it Shi Tuo. Sima Bao's commentary states: Also known as Ling, the root resembles pig dung and treats thirst. Zhang Zhongjing uses Zhu Ling Tang (Poria Decoction) to treat various Shanghan diseases where the pathogen is in the zang organs and thirst occurs. Ingredients: Zhu Ling (Poria), Fu Ling (Poria cocos), Ze Xie (Alisma rhizome), Hua Shi (Talcum), E Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin) each one liang. Boil the first four ingredients in four sheng of water to obtain two sheng, then dissolve the gelatin. Take seven he per dose, three times daily. It also treats cases of vomiting with desire for water. It further treats Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst) with floating pulse, difficulty in urination, and slight fever, using Zhu Ling San to induce sweating. If the patient desires water but vomits immediately after drinking, it is called Shui Ni (water rebellion); in winter, cold cough resembling malaria is also treated with Zhu Ling San, which is actually Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). Ingredients: Zhu Ling, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome), Fu Ling each three fen, Ze Xei five fen, Gui (Cinnamon twig) two fen. Fine grind and sieve, take one fang cun bi with water, three times daily. Drink plenty of warm water; recovery follows sweating. No other diuretic decoction acts as swiftly as this; it is widely used today. It also treats Huang Dan Bing (jaundice) and Hu Huo Bing (fox confusion disease/aphthous stomatitis), treated with Zhu Ling San. Ingredients: Zhu Ling, Fu Ling, Bai Zhu in equal parts, pounded into powder. Take one fang cun bi, mixed with water. In Shi Zhou, there is a variety called Ci Zhu Ling, which grows as a vine. Roots are collected in spring and summer, peeled and baked dry. Locals use it to apply to sores and toxins with remarkable effect. It is said to be sweet in taste, cool in nature, and non-toxic.

Xinxiu Bencao supplement: Removes evil qi. Lei Gong stated: Upon collection, use a copper knife to peel off the outer coarse skin layer, slice thinly, soak overnight in running water from the east, drain the next day, cut finely, steam against Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga rhizome) for one day, remove Sheng Ma leaves, clean thoroughly, and sun-dry for use. Waitai Miyao: Treats Zi Lin (dysuria during pregnancy). Zhu Ling five liang, single ingredient ground into powder, taken with three he of boiling water, starting with one fang cun bi, gradually increasing to two bi, three times daily and two times at night. If the full dose does not cure, change the treatment. Another prescription: Treats constipation in children. Zhu Ling one liang, boiled with a small amount of water with one qian of Ji Si Bai (white part of chicken feces), mixed and taken; cure is immediate. Zimu Milu: Treats pregnancy edema from feet to abdomen, difficulty in urination, slight thirst with desire to drink. Zhu Ling five liang ground into powder, taken with cooked water, one fang cun bi, three times daily. Yangshi Chanru: Treats generalized edema and difficulty in urination. Zhu Ling five liang, pounded and sieved, decocted in three he of water. Mixed and taken, one fang cun bi, increased to two bi.

Yanyi stated: Zhu Ling has strong diuretic effects. Long-term consumption will inevitably damage Kidney Qi and cloud the eyes. If one insists on long-term use, careful consideration is required.