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Jujube (Da Zao): Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Heart and Spleen meridians. Its main functions are harmonizing various herbs, benefiting the five zang organs, moistening the lungs and heart, nourishing the spleen and stomach, supplementing essence and qi, generating body fluids, unblocking the nine orifices, strengthening sinews and bones, dispelling pathogenic factors, and improving complexion. Use without the pit. It can counteract the toxicity of Vigna angularis (Adzuki Bean). Avoid consuming with raw green onions.
Commentary: Jujube enters the Spleen because as stated in the classics, "When flavors enter the mouth, sweet flavor first returns to the Spleen." The Heart generates the Spleen (Fire generates Earth), so it is also associated with the Heart meridian. Excessive consumption can obstruct Spleen qi causing distension; therefore, it is not suitable for those with abdominal fullness or suffering from toothache and gout.

Mume Fruit (Wu Mei): Sour in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. Its main functions are generating body fluids, relieving irritability and heat, stopping vomiting and regurgitation, treating yin malaria and miasma, stopping chronic dysentery, eliminating alcohol toxicity, and treating black spots on the skin and numbness. Use without the pit.
Commentary: Mume fruit enters the Lung because as stated in the classics, "The Lung desires consolidation; urgently feed sour flavor to consolidate it." The Kidney is generated by the Lung (Metal generates Water), so it is also associated with the Kidney meridian. However, excessive consumption is most likely to damage teeth. When wind-cold has just arisen or malaria has been present for a short time, one should not abruptly use this herb for astringency.

Lotus Root (Ou): Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen meridian. Its main functions are dispersing blood stasis, stopping hematemesis and epistaxis, resolving heat toxins, promoting digestion and relieving thirst, alleviating irritability and hangovers. Consumed with honey, it can fatten the abdominal viscera and prevent parasitic worms. Cooked and eaten, it can solidify the lower jiao and greatly open the stomach appetite. The lotus root nodes (Ou Jie) are particularly effective; the lotus root skin disperses blood without causing coagulation. Lotus Seed (Lian Zi): Mainly clears the heart and awakens the spleen, supplements the middle and nourishes the spirit, promotes food intake, stops diarrhea and dysentery, prevents seminal emission, relieves lower back pain, and long-term use makes ears and eyes bright. It is best to remove the plumule and steam before use. Lotus Stamen (Lian Xu): Mainly benefits the kidney and astringes essence. Lotus Leaf (He Ye): Mainly treats thunder-head wind (Lei Tou Feng), breaks blood stasis, and relieves thirst. Lotus Peduncle (He Ti): Mainly calms the fetus, expels blood stasis, retains good blood, and stops bloody dysentery.
Commentary: Lotus root is sweet and warm, suitable for entering the Spleen organ because the Spleen governs holding blood, thus treating blood disorders. Excessive consumption of lotus seeds causes qi stagnation; excessive consumption of lotus stamens causes constipation. The lotus leaf resembles an inverted bowl; its image corresponds to the Zhen trigram (Thunder), which belongs to Wood transforming into Wind, hence it treats thunder-head wind. In Zhizhu Wan, it is used to guide the clear qi of the Shaoyang meridian upward. The lotus peduncle is located in the center, thus it can guard the middle and move blood, which is the effect of its warm nature.