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White Hyacinth Bean (Baidou): Sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic, enters the Spleen Meridian. Its primary functions are tonifying Spleen Qi (Spleen energy), harmonizing the Middle Jiao (middle burner/ digestive system), and stopping diarrhea. When processed with vinegar, it can treat cholera-associated muscle cramps (spasms of the tendons), resolve alcohol toxicity, pufferfish poison, and all kinds of plant and herb toxins. The leaves are primarily used for snake and insect bites; the flowers are primarily used for leukorrhea (abnormal vaginal discharge) presenting as red or white discharge.

Commentary: The nature and flavor of the bean align well with the physiological needs of the Spleen, making it suitable for targeting the Spleen specifically. However, this agent is cloying and tends to obstruct the chest/diaphragm area. It can only tonify the Spleen when incorporated into formulas that strengthen the Spleen; otherwise...

Red Adzuki Bean (Chixiaodou): Sweet and sour in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic, enters the Heart Meridian. Its primary functions are eliminating heat toxins, draining abscesses and swelling, relieving irritability and heat, nourishing blood vessels, stopping dysentery/diarrhea, directing water qi downward, promoting urination, clearing blood from the stool, and resolving wheat toxicity.

Commentary: The Red Adzuki Bean exhibits the color corresponding to the Heart Fire of the South, thus entering the Heart exclusively. The Classics state: "All sores, ulcers, pain, and itching belong to Heart Fire," and also: "The Heart governs Blood." Therefore, it treats the aforementioned conditions. The Small Intestine is the organ that receives and holds contents and corresponds to the Heart via interior-exterior relationship; thus, it can also benefit the Small Intestine. *Yanyi* states: Long-term consumption causes one to become dark-skinned, thin, and constipated, which is due to its diuretic effect.

Black Sesame (Zhimai): Sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic, enters the Stomach, Large Intestine, and Small Intestine meridians. Its primary functions are dispersing wind pathogens, unblocking blood vessels, lubricating the intestines, and moistening the skin. Chewing raw and applying externally can treat infantile head sores; processing with sesame oil yields similar therapeutic effects, allowing it to kill parasites, treat scabies and tinea, and resolve hundred poisons.

Commentary: Sesame is sweet in taste, making it suitable for the Stomach organ; its slippery and lubricating nature makes it suitable for the Large and Small Intestines. As a moistening agent, it unblocks blood vessels; once blood vessels are unblocked, wind pathogens dissipate naturally, and the skin becomes moist. If nursing mothers consume it, their infants will be free from heat diseases, but it should not be consumed long-term as it may cause seminal emission, emaciation, thirst, and spleen fatigue. Those suffering from toothache or spleen-stomach disorders should strictly avoid it.

Fermented Soybean (Danshi): Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic, enters the Lung Meridian. Its primary functions are treating headache and alternating chills and fever caused by Cold Damage (Shanghan), toxic miasma, irritability and chest fullness/oppression, and wheezing/shortness of breath due to deficiency consumptive disease.

Commentary: Danshi entering the Lung Meridian reflects the principle that "the Lung dislikes rebellious Qi, and bitter substances should be eaten urgently to drain it." In Cold Damage and miasma, the Lung is affected first; wheezing, irritability, and chest oppression indicate excess Lung Qi. What would happen if left untreated?