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Cornus Officinalis Fruit (Shanzhuyu): Sweet and sour in taste, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. It primarily treats the unblocking of pathogenic factors, expelling wind-bi syndrome (painful obstruction caused by wind), breaking up masses and accumulations, opening the nine orifices, relieving nasal congestion, treating deafness, killing three types of parasites, stabilizing the five zang organs, strengthening primordial yang, consolidating essence and marrow, and promoting urination. The fruit stalks should be removed before use. Polygonum multiflorum fruit (Liaoshi) is used as an guiding herb. It is incompatible with Platycodon Root (Jiegeng), Saposhnikovia Root (Fangfeng), and Stephania Root (Fangji).

Commentary: Cornus Officinalis Fruit greatly tonifies essence and blood; therefore, it enters the Shaoyin and Jueyin meridians. It is used in Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) for its ability to tonify the Kidney without causing excessive heat. To abandon this herb and seek other heating agents to aid sexual indulgence is like discarding virtuous officials and seeking out flatterers and favorites—how foolish!

Lei Gong stated: When using Cornus Officinalis Fruit, do not use Que'er Su (a plant resembling Cornus officinalis); although its odor resembles that of Cornus Officinalis Fruit, its seeds have eight ridges and are not suitable for medicinal use. When processing Cornus Officinalis Fruit, the inner hard seeds must be removed. For every jin (approx. 500g) of processed material, after removing the seeds, retain only about four liang (approx. 200g) of the inner pericarp. Simmer over slow fire before use. It can strengthen primordial qi and consolidate essence; however, the seeds tend to cause seminal emission due to their slippery nature.

Vitex Fruit (Manjingzi): Bitter, sweet, and acrid in taste, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Liver meridian. It primarily disperses wind-cold, treats cephalalgia due to wind (toufeng), relieves eye pain, removes corneal opacity (yi mo), strengthens teeth, opens the nine orifices, and kills various insects. Soak in wine overnight, then steam before use. It is incompatible with Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) and Aconitum Lateralis Radix Preparata (Wutou).

Commentary: The Classic states: "The color of the East is green, which internally connects to the Liver, and opens into the eyes." It also states: "Wind generates Wood; Wood generates Sour. Sour generates the Liver." Vitex Fruit enters the Liver meridian; thus, it specializes in dispersing wind to treat ocular diseases. *Mizhu Mijue* states: Its bitter and sweet tastes make it Yin within Yang, capable of cooling blood heat in various meridians.

Eucommia Bark (Duzhong): Acrid and sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Kidney meridian. It primarily treats dampness and itching in the genital area, dribbling urine after voiding, strengthens willpower, fortifies sinews and bones, nourishes the Kidney, and relieves lower back pain. The coarse bark should be removed before use. It should be stir-fried with butter and honey until no fibrous strands remain. It is incompatible with Ophichthidis Cutis Corneum (Shetui) and Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen).

Commentary: Eucommia Bark has a descending nature and belongs to Yang; it is suitable for treating conditions related to the Kidney. However, it should not be used in large amounts by those with dry essence and blood.

Lei Gong stated: When processing Eucommia Bark, first scrape off the coarse bark. Mix one liang (approx. 50g) with butter and honey, then stir-fry until completely dried. Finely chop before use. For every jin (approx. 500g) of Eucommia Bark being processed, use one liang of butter and three liang of honey; these two ingredients are mixed together for application.