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Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos): Li Shicai has already expounded its efficacy in treating dysentery and abdominal distension, but is unaware that it also clears wind, fire, dampness, and heat from the collaterals; resolves turbid pathogens of miasma and pestilence; pacifies floating and hyperactive wind-yang of the Liver and Gallbladder; and treats various conditions such as spasms, convulsions, and epilepsy.

Mutong (Akebiae Caulis): Its flavor is bitter, thus it drains Heart Fire which exits via the Small Intestine. All materia medica texts state it is sweet and bland, or slightly acrid. Have these physicians not tasted it themselves, nor even consulted woodcutters and commoners?

Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix): It belongs to wind-dispelling herbs, all of which have drying properties. When ancients said it generates fluids and quenches thirst, the character "sheng" (generate) is actually a corruption of "sheng" (ascend). Since wind herbs primarily ascend, they can raise sinking clear Yang. When clear Yang ascends, Yin Qi follows, fluids rise and reach the mouth, and thirst ceases. If one suffers from thirst due to fire blazing and fluid consumption rather than sinking clear Yang, taking this herb by mistake will allow fire to ride the wind, becoming an uncontrollable prairie fire. Even if not a case of Yin deficiency with fire blazing, anyone with insufficient Stomach fluids and thirst should avoid it.

(Published) In the preface to Lin Beihai's re-edition of Zhang Sinong's *Zhi Shu Quan Shu* (Complete Book on Treating Summerheat), it is stated: "Chaihu depletes Liver Yin, Gegen exhausts Stomach juice." These two phrases can be said to have enlightened the masses for millennia. Ye Tianshi cited them in *You Ke Yao Lve* (Essentials for Pediatric Medicine), but Xu Lingtai (Hui Xi) criticized them as fabricated. I argue that if a statement is reasonable, what does it matter if it was fabricated? Mr. Xu's criticism of books is too rigid!

Qiancaogen (Cibotii Rhizoma - Note: Text likely refers to Qian Niu Gen or similar root, but literal translation of entity name): Mr. Xiaolan stated it can resolve the toxicity of Ba Dou La Chong (Castor bean insect poison). By extension, it seems it could treat stings from snakes, scorpions, and other venomous insects.

Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma): It has the merit of improving hearing and vision, which people doubt. *Li Xu Yuan Jian* explores its etymology: "Ze" means to moisten insufficient water, and "Xie" means to drain excessive fire. Unlike Zhuling and Mutong which drain directly without remainder, it should not be viewed as a substance that consumes Yin and damages the Kidneys.

(Published) *Li Xu Yuan Jian* offers the most refined arguments on syndrome differentiation, secondary arguments on herbs, and poor prescriptions.

Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex): Its merits were detailed by predecessors. Some regard it as a toxic drug and strictly warn against its use. Is this not the vulgar habit of discussing drugs without discussing syndromes? The Classic states: "The Kidney desires firmness; hasten to eat bitter substances to firm it." There are many diseases of flaccidity in the lower body, such as impotence, seminal emission, leukorrhea, atrophy, hematochezia, and dysentery. Modern practitioners fail to examine the condition and treat only as deficiency-cold, unaware that most belong to deficiency-heat. This is because the Lower Jiao often has dampness; initially, Yin deficiency and fire excess cause dampness to transform into heat; subsequently, damp-heat obstructs Qi transformation, consuming essence and fluids, leading to flaccidity. Huangbai specifically governs these cases. Removing the disease that erodes Yin preserves vital Qi. Who says bitter-cold is unbeneficial to vital Qi? Huangbai's treatment of Lower Jiao damp-heat stands in contrast to Chuangzi's treatment of Lower Jiao cold-dampness.

Huai Shi (Stemonae Semen / or possibly Sophorae Fructus based on context of uterus pain, text says Huai Shi): Bitter and yellow, it clears the Liver and Gallbladder and cools blood. Most herbs that clear Liver and cool blood can calm the fetus, but why does Huai Shi fail to calm the fetus and instead abort it? The *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*'s statement "mainly treats uterine urgency and pain" covers its meaning. The uterus (Zi Zang) belongs to the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and is the site of fertilization. Urgency and pain result from irregular intercourse. Huai Shi specifically opens the Ren Mai, reaches the uterus directly, washes out injected semen, and drains the fire of lust. Thus, when pregnant women take it, the fetus is aborted. Extending this reasoning to chancre and bubo, Li Xitai stated they occur above the pubic bone and are diseases where turbid toxins enter the Ren Mai. *Jing Yue Quan Shu* contains a formula with a single herb, Huai Rui (Stamen), whose origin is unknown, but I admire its miraculous effect.

Bamboo: There are many types with different names, but those with double lines at the nodes can be used medicinally. Young and strong ones are best. Those with single lines at the nodes are called Mao Zhu (Moso Bamboo). What is called "Gua Chang Bi" (Intestine-scraping comb) is the shoot of Moso Bamboo. Its husk has hairs, hence the name, and it should not be used medicinally. Generally, bamboo planted facing northwest has roots growing southeast. Lu Zhi said it inherits the Qi of Wood and Fire, which is true. Yet it braves snow and frost, ignores heat and summer, and keeps its integrity through four seasons; its nature is extremely peaceful, hailed as a gentleman. Plants generally grow from small to large, but bamboo, though rising straight to the clouds after emerging, retains its original constant form. Hence the character "Jie" (node) contains the bamboo radical, indicating no leakage or overflow. The skin is tough and tight, called Yun, capable of sealing boats without leaking. Fresh bamboo skin used medicinally is called Ru, clearing fire of the Five Emotions, dispelling turbid pathogens, regulating Qi, nourishing Ying, and stopping bleeding. It is suitable before and after childbirth. Bamboo leaves internally pacify Liver/GB wind and externally clear warm/summerheat heat, thus calming the spirit and stopping spasms. Bamboo sap (Zhuli) is the liquid, thus it nourishes blood and meridians, reaches the limbs, and revives paralysis. For patients with long-uncombed, knotted hair, mixing a little bamboo sap with sesame oil allows easy combing. Thus, it treats all diseases of sorrow, worry, and depression. People only use it to resolve phlegm knots, which is shallow.

Hei Zao Rou (Black Date Flesh): Plump and rich-flavored. Hong Zao (Red Date) is red and fragrant. Both are best when large and solid. They have specific uses in medicine and should be chosen according to the syndrome. Southern dates are inferior to Northern dates in fragrance and taste, pleasing only in appearance. Suitable for food, weak in medicinal power. The statement in *Bei Yao* should not be followed.

Li (Pear): Northern varieties are best; among Southern ones, Yiwu Cha Hua Li is superior. Hui Zhou Xi Ni Li has good color but sour taste, unsuitable for medicine. Regardless of color or shape, pears are best when the core is small, flesh fine, residue-free when chewed, and purely sweet. They instantly relieve poisoning from cinnabar/stones, smoke/fire, coal fire, alcohol, and all heat-inducing drugs. Juicing and drinking them instantly helps warm-heat dryness diseases and Yin deficiency with blazing fire and dried fluids. This fruit is the甘露子 (Sweet Dew Seed) of fruits and the holy ghee of medicines. Binhu (Li Shizhen) elucidated and detailed its merits.

(Corrected) Ganlu Zi is the fruit of the banana. It generates fluids, quenches thirst, moistens dryness, and removes irritability, surpassing the pear. It is a celestial fruit, unfortunately hard to bear fruit.

Xian Shi (Fresh Persimmon): Best when ripe and seedless. Sweet and cold, it nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin. Suitable for constitutions with fire-dryness and fluid depletion, but causes diarrhea in those with Spleen deficiency-cold. Gan Shi (Dried Persimmon): Northern seedless varieties are best. Materia medica records its merits; it tonifies Spleen and Stomach, ideal for children. Children should avoid spicy, dry, and hard foods because "Gan" (malnutrition) implies dryness, and the character contains "Gan" (sweet), so they should not eat sweet/sour fruits/miscellaneous items. Persimmon trees do not harbor borers. Thus, when infants start eating grain, dried persimmons steamed with rice and chewed to feed them prevent worm-induced malnutrition, distension, and diarrhea. This was unspoken by ancients.

Mu Gua (Chaenomeles Fruit): Ground into powder, it treats chancre condensation toxins. Only *Jie Yao* records this formula.

Pipaye (Loquat Leaf): Hairy and tough, bitter and cool. It remains green in deep winter and does not wither in midsummer, inheriting the nature of stirring up turbidity and raising clarity, embracing the posture of ignoring heat and enduring cold. Still yet able to diffuse, it protects the delicate Metal (Lung) and regulates governance/responsibility for wind-warmth, warm-heat, and summer-dryness pathogens in the Lung. Fragrant yet not drying, it clarifies turbid Qi and cleanses the Middle Jiao for damp-warmth, epidemic pestilence, and turbid toxin pathogens in the Stomach. Materia medica only mentions descending Qi and treating cough, obscuring its great merits, hence my elucidation.

(Published) Mriang Xiangyan once said: "When weather is oppressive and humid, wipe the hairs off Loquat leaves, stir-fry until fragrant in a clean pot, brew as tea for daily drinking. Clear fragrance without dryness, dispels turbidity, preventing seasonal diseases of summer and autumn." This coincides with my view.

Longyan Rou (Longan Aril): Purely sweet and warm, greatly tonifies Blood. Steamed thoroughly is best. However, it generates phlegm in dampness abundance and causes loose stools in Spleen weakness, which must be known. Its seeds, ground and applied to traumatic wounds and bruises, stop bleeding and pain immediately, healing without scars. Named Lizhu San, it is a truly miraculous medicine. Its shell, finely ground, is good for burns/scalds; burning it repels snakes. All are useful parts. Why discard them when eating Longan?

Ou (Lotus Rhizome): Renhe variety is best. Boiled to thick juice, it tonifies Blood and moves Qi, avoiding greasiness/stagnation. Lian Zi (Lotus Seed) connects Heart and Kidney; the heart (embryo) should not be removed, but it can stagnate Qi. Using only the heart greatly descends Heart Fire. He Ye (Lotus Leaf) roasted with rice greatly raises Spleen Qi because Lotus Leaf belongs to Zhen (Thunder/Wood), and Earth reaches/via Wood. Roasting rice means cooking rice with Lotus Leaves. Hangzhou calls cooking rice "Shao Fan". Misinterpreting it as wrapping rice in leaves and roasting in fire is extremely incorrect.

Putao (Grape): Northern varieties are best; Turpan varieties, purely sweet and seedless, are superior. Greatly tonifies Liver and Spleen Blood, same function as Gouqi Zi. For fetal pressure rushing to the heart, using 1 liang of Putao decocted alone cures it instantly.

Ganzhe (Sugarcane): Green-skinned is best, named Zhu Zhe. Produced in Taizhou, long like bamboo. Sweet and cool, clears heat and replenishes fluids. Mr. Yu Wenqi said: Also named Jie Chang Cao. Once someone with severed intestines recovered by frequently drinking this juice.

Lafu (Radish): Controls noodle toxicity, hence named Lai Fu (Come to be served). Commonly written as Laifu or Luobo, losing its meaning. Many varieties, great merits. Raw: resolves wind-fire, warm-dryness, damp-heat pathogens. Instantly effective for smoke/coal/alcohol/fire toxicity, aphonia, phlegm obstruction, stroke, throat diseases. Cooked: tonifies Spleen/Lung, harmonizes Stomach/Intestines, resists wind-cold, fattens and strengthens, serves as grain for famine relief. A lucky star in the vegetable garden. Materia medica hides its merits and falsely claims it dissipates Qi, how unjust! Yet widely grown nationwide, people eat it lifelong for health and longevity, some old age with white hair. Common sight, why did materia medica compilers rush to judgment?

(Corrected) Materia medica says Eggplant is least beneficial, harming the uterus in women. But Inner Lord loves it, even during pregnancy, and birth is easy. Thus, grains, meats, fruits, and vegetables are all nourishing; one need not obsess over luxurious feasting.

Donggua (Winter Melon): Grown on trellises in Hangzhou, hanging inside to avoid sun and ground contact. Purely sweet without sourness is best. Cool and moistens Lung, sweet nourishes Stomach, clears summer-dampness, stops thirst, promotes urination/defecation, reduces distension. Special merit in treating summer-dampness cholera and dysentery. Seeds: moisten Lung, resolve turbid phlegm. Skin: resolves wind-heat, reduces edema. A wonderful product in the vegetable garden.

Shi Zhuyu (Chinese Pepper): Worn by ancients during Double Ninth Festival climbing. Various species; commonly called Chili Pepper, Spicy Eggplant, Spicy Tiger. Extremely acrid, very hot. Small amounts disperse wind and relieve constipation, so people mistakenly think it is cool, causing harm to Yin. Those with Yin deficiency and blood-heat must absolutely avoid it.

Nuomi (Glutinous Rice): Can make wine. More drinkers, more brewers, more glutinous fields, less japonica fields, rising rice prices. People lack reserves; isn't this a major illness? Physicians of the state should plan for this.

(Published) Rising rice prices are indeed a major disaster for state and people. Now silver prices rise, leaks cannot be plugged, illness worsens. Physicians of the state must plan early.

Jingmi (Rice): Treasure for nourishing humans. During famine, storage methods must be planned. Simplest: dry cooked rice thoroughly, never spoils. Hungry people chew a pinch, get rice Qi, survive. Keep one dou of cooked rice per family annually, dry, store in jar in dry place. Easy for rich and poor. Better than storing grain for famine.

(Note) Wash one dou Nuomi, steam and dry 100 times, grind fine, store in jar in dry place, never spoils. Take 3 spoons daily, drink water if thirsty. One dou lasts a month. Elderly who cannot chew dry rice must know this. Recorded here.

Candou (Fava Bean): Named because it grows during silkworm season. Also Fo Dou (Buddha Bean), offered on Buddha's birthday. Tonifies Middle and benefits Qi. Forbidden for children, fearing indigestion. Dragons like to eat it; thus, if thunder/lightning occurs during flowering, it bears no fruit. One fava bean on a ship prevents sailing, as dragons want to eat it. Navigators must know this.

Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum): Yu Shiyu considered it the main drug for plague. Wu Keyou used only Dahuang, saying Shigao is unusable. Why? Yu discussed summerheat-pathogen disease (Summerheat is Heaven Qi, clear pathogen attacking upper Jiao). Wu discussed damp-warmth disease (Dampness is Earth Qi, turbid pathogen attacking lower Jiao). Clear pathogen is formless dry-fire, suitable for clearing not purging. Turbid pathogen is formless damp-turbidity, suitable for purging not clearing. Both had profound insight, forming two major methods for treating plague. Learning medicine is not like poetry/prose focusing on one school (Tang poetry, Han prose); one must read widely, select appropriately, not be deceived by ancients, to prescribe correctly.

(Corrected) Mr. Lin Guanzi said: Tao Jie'an's understanding of Shanghan is merely broad outlines, lacking profound subtlety. Wang Jin Tan called him deaf/blind to later learners, a sinner to Zhang Zhongjing, not an exaggeration. Yet modern Shanghan practitioners follow Tao's book exclusively. Sigh! Wang Yuzhong Taishi in *Bai Tian Ji* argued Tao's view that Shanghan and Warmth diseases differ in releasing exterior but are same in treating interior is wrong, claiming Chengqi and Baihu formulas cannot treat Warmth diseases. Alas! Though Taishi studied Neo-Confucianism deeply, he knew little medicine. Why mislead later learners? Fearing readers trust his scholarship and thus his medicine, I add this note.

(Published) *Yao Shi* by Yu Longshi records Yang Tian'an saying: Mr. Rishan, descendant of Li Che'er in Hangzhou, was a master of smallpox. In a case of stifled fire-smallpox, he used 1.5 jin Gypsum decocted with 5 qian Coptis. Eruption was incomplete, added 1 cup Jin Zhi (Gold Juice/Turkey Berry Char), then cured. Jin Zhi is turbid Yin, treating hyperactive Yang. Xiong notes: This deeply understands Fei's method. Smallpox complicated by plague, truly可信 (credible).

Yan (Salt): Salty flavor. *Tai Xi Shui Fa* says: Acrid, sweet, sour, bitter reside in plants; salty resides in seawater. Seawater doesn't freeze because it's salty. Thus, salty is born from Fire. Burning wood to ash, leaching with water makes brine. Extreme dryness meets water becomes salty. This verifies it. I believe because it belongs to Fire, living things die upon contact, as it is moist in substance but drying in function. Ancients said salty softens hardness and moistens dryness, but didn't know it firms softness and dries dampness. Preserved foods become hard/dry with salt. Salt warehouse workers never suffer from gout/podagra because they tread on salt, keeping dampness away. Dry substances become moist with salt (salt rusts iron = softens hardness). Wet substances become dry with salt (salt dries liquids/firms softness). Excessive salt causes thirst, sign of drying fluids. Since it dries fluids, salt belongs to Fire. Drying dampness/firming softness is appropriate. But although flavor belongs to Fire, nature descends. For deficient fire flaming upward, drinking light salt water descends it, making it a wonder for guiding fire back to source. For persistent vomiting/epistaxis, soaking feet in salt brine cures instantly.

Shinao (Pig Brain): Overconsumption causes impotence. Why? Kan represents Pig, corresponds to Hai in Earthly Branches, a Water animal. Water nature is weakest. Brain is the master of the body, thus it softens things, can tan leather. Long-term consumption causes not just impotence but reportedly soft paralysis. As a Wood animal, it has most meat/no sinew, strongest kidneys/most offspring, likes low/wet places, eats filth/fat, transforms filth to fat. Not just strong Spleen transport, but unique large pancreas. Pancreas digests food; large/concentrated power transforms rot into magic. Dyers use it to whiten silk; people use it as face cream to brighten skin. Steamed/cooked, aids digestion, clears turbid phlegm. Thus, for women with fatty uterus unable to conceive, or uncleanness from irregular intercourse, it travels Ren Mai, cleans uterus. Being flesh/blood product, no fear of damaging healthy Qi, most miraculous. Pregnant women eating it cleanses placental debris, resulting in sparse smallpox eruption.

Niu Nai (Cow Milk): Moistening and fluid-tonifying, suitable for blood-deficiency without phlegm. Nature warm and greasy; if phlegm-fire exists, it assists phlegm, stagnates diaphragm, worsens disease. Users must observe. Human milk is similar. All greasy tonics are alike.

Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin): Made with Ejing water to utilize the underground flow of Ji River. Named Ejiao not because of donkey hide, but attributing merit to still water controlling floating fire, thus curing blood disorders. If water prefers underground flow, how can it be stir-fried? Thus, Ejiao need not strictly use Ejing water; any underground spring works. Yin-nourishing/clearing-heat herbs must not be stir-fried. Stir-frying makes cool herbs warm and quiet herbs active, losing cooling/moistening properties, retaining drying/acrid ones. Fire changes material nature. For overly bitter/cold/toxic herbs, frying/parching moderates them, detailed in ancient methods. Ridiculous is frying Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings) to extract clear Qi. Furthermore, clearing/resolving decoctions require rapid boiling to preserve Qi; slow boiling loses cooling taste, let alone charring!

Lurong (Deer Antler): Hot nature, raises Yang. Cannot be used casually in Yin deficiency with floating Yang. Witnessed many deaths from upper hemorrhage due to misuse.

Shushi (Mouse Droppings): Treats female relapse after labor. Also disperses breast abscess, unblocks strangury/turbid urine, stops infantile malnutrition distension, eliminates hernia masses.

Haizhe (Sea Squirt): Formed from water, boils down to water. Phlegm in body is formed by fire battling water, thus it is a main drug for resolving phlegm. Also drains depressed fire, spreads stagnant Qi, digests food accumulation, unblocks bowels/bladder, stops abdominal pain, removes distension. Regrettably unknown, hence recorded.

Bie (Softshell Turtle): Also named Shenshou (Divine Guardian), thus Biejia (Softshell Turtle Shell) is a miraculous sedative.

Zhenzhu (Pearl): Nourishes Yin, brightens eyes, calms rebellious Qi, sedates spirit. Takes advantage of clam's pure Yin nature and lunar conception effect. Market sells Guangdong snake pearls, treating wind-phlegm, unblocking meridians, managing epilepsy/spasms. Distinct from clam pearls in movement/stillness; cannot treat Heart diseases. Users must distinguish.

Tongzi Xiaosui (Boy's Urine): Miraculous for nourishing Yin and descending fire, essential for blood disorders. Must use boys because their knowledge is undeveloped, lacking reckless fire. Must have bland diet, no meat/fish, remove head/tail, use only middle clear section for efficacy. If processed into Qiushi (Autumn Stone), ancients said it contains warm Qi, unacceptable. Later generations created "Huilun Jiu" (Revolving Wine), letting patients drink own urine. Foolish belief, pitiable. Once sick, urine is sick urine. If sick urine cures disease, healthy urine can too. Why restrict to boys, vegetarian diet, removing ends, seeking clarity, making it difficult? Although healthy, dietary essence...