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Taste is sweet, nature is neutral and non-toxic, enters the Heart Meridian. It primarily nourishes Heart Qi, brightens the eyes, and benefits essence. It treats abdominal pain with dysentery, carbuncles, sores, hemorrhoids, women's metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding), difficult labor, and retention of the placenta. It is incompatible with Radix Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati (Dahuang) and Pine Resin (Songzhi), and fears Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua).

Commentary: The lithospermum is red in color, suitable for entering the Heart Meridian. Various abdominal pain syndromes are caused by Fire pathogen; various metrorrhagia syndromes are disasters caused by Blood disorders. The Heart governs Blood and belongs to Fire. With the lithospermum treating these conditions, what is there to worry about?

Taste is pungent and sweet, nature is extremely cold and non-toxic, enters the meridians of the Five Zang Organs. It primarily treats severe internal and external heat, epidemic febrile diseases with thirst, accumulations and masses in the abdomen, and resolves the toxicity of Crotonis Fructus (Badou). When used, it must be decocted with Ginger Juice until the juice is fully absorbed, then finely ground for use. It fears Sanguisorbae Radix (Diyu).

Commentary: Hanshui Shi (Cold Water Stone) is also known as Ningshui Shi. Its nature is extremely cold, thus it can penetrate all Five Zang Organs without obstruction. Overconsumption causes Cold in the intestines and stomach, leading to an inability to eat. Tao Hongjing stated that the best quality is that which freezes in summer; if this were true, no one in the world could obtain it, which seems like an erroneous statement. Lei Gong stated: When using, first decoct with fresh Ginger juice until exhausted, grind finely into powder, then use. For every ten taels processed, use one yi of Ginger juice.

The taste, nature, and meridian tropism are not recorded in various books. It primarily stops bleeding from metal wounds and treats postpartum blood syncope. It should be used after calcination (fire treatment).

Commentary: Huarui Shi's function specifically treats Blood syndromes; it can transform stasis into yellow fluid. Consumption makes the person extremely deficient, so it should not be used lightly. If used in large doses, after consumption one should... [text cuts off]

Taste is salty, nature is warm and non-toxic, enters the Kidney Meridian. It primarily treats Kidney exhaustion with impotence, uterine bleeding like a spring flood or dripping continuously, and masses with qi stagnation. Those with "cloud head and rain foot" shapes and Egret Feather textures are considered authentic. Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis Egg Case) is used as a guiding herb (Shi). It fears Cuscutae Semen (Tusizi), dislikes Alisma Rhizoma (Zexie), Cinnamomi Cortex (Guangui), Serpent Skin (Shetui), and Polyporus Umbellatus (Leiwan). It prohibits the use of Sheep Blood.

Commentary: Yangqi Shi is a salty-warm substance, suitable for returning to the Water Organ (Kidney). Metrorrhagia and masses are all due to Kidney deficiency. Therefore, salty substances treat them. However, authentic material is hard to find, so do not misuse it.

Taste is bitter and pungent, nature is warm and non-toxic, enters the Lung Meridian. It primarily eliminates phlegm, stops coughing, regulates throat bi (obstruction/pain), and breaks masses. Those that are bright and crystal clear are superior.

Commentary: Pengsha (Borax) is white in color and pungent in taste, correctly entering the Lung organ. Phlegm-cough syndromes are all caused by Lung Fire, therefore salty substances treat them.