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(This prescription is originally an ancient formula, primarily intended for darkening hair but with unsatisfactory efficacy. A monk from outside the orthodox medical circles, having received a small favor from me, repaid it by providing this refining method.)

Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, 4 liang, remove the central woody core) Chishizhi (Red Halloysite, calcined to retain its properties, 4 liang) Chencha (Cinnabar, processed by water levigation, 2 liang) Ruxiang (Frankincense, 2 liang, ground using lamp wick) Chuanjiao (Sichuan Pepper, 2 liang, cleaned, placed on yellow earth heated red-hot by charcoal fire, covered with a clay jar to induce "sweating")

The above five herbs are ground into fine powder, mixed with human milk to form a thin paste, and filled into goose or duck eggshells. The shells are sealed tightly with flour paste, wrapped in a crimson cloth bag, and worn between the breasts by a clean-bodied woman for forty-nine days, day and night without removal. Once taken out and thoroughly dried, the preparation is complete; otherwise, it will spoil. Grind again, mix with jujube flesh, and roll into pills the size of mung beans. Take daily on an empty stomach with human milk, or substitute with Ginseng Decoction or Ophiopogon Decoction. Taking with wine before bed is also acceptable. This is suitable for conditions such as palpitations and forgetfulness caused by insufficiency of Heart blood.

(Many people claim this formula acts slowly, and those with phlegm often experience chest oppression, leading to aversion. However, they do not realize that the ancients' formulation indeed contained specific principles.)

Shengdihuang (Fresh Rehmannia Root, select fresh and plump ones from Huaiqing, cut with a bamboo knife) Maimendong (Ophiopogon Tuber, remove the heart; these two herbs each weigh one jin and half, soaked in light wine for one day, then soaked in soup seasoned with salt for three days) Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) Tianmendong (Asparagus Tuber, remove the heart membrane; these two herbs each weigh one jin and half, soaked in natural ginger juice for two days, then soaked in pure wine for one day)

These four herbs must not come into contact with iron. After sufficient soaking, grind or pound them together until the residue is completely dissolved. Add water as needed, similar to the method of making starch slurry (adding a small amount of Apricot Kernel facilitates clarification). Dry the sediment at the bottom, grind into powder using a mortar, add wheat flour, and take one jin of the purified mixture. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is separately ground into fine powder, weighing four liang. Mix these five ingredients with refined honey to form pills. Take regularly with wine.

Zhang Yuansu (Zhang Shi of Yishui) created this formula, and Li Dongyuan only comprehended the significance of the hollow structure of lotus leaves in his later years. It is surprising that people in the Southeast did not recognize that northerners cook rice without steamers (zeng), often referring to steaming as "burning." Thus, it was erroneously believed to be cooked by wrapping rice in lotus leaves and baking in ashes. Even Zhu Danxi failed to clarify this. As the ancient poem states: "Vinegar in the bottle can be used to burn vegetables," referring to this misunderstanding.

Baizhu (Monarch herb, remove stems and oil, 6 liang) Zhishi (Minister herb, use Eyan Zhishi, soak in cold water until soft, slice, and lightly stir-fry, 4 liang)

Grind the above into powder. First, boil dozens of fresh green lotus leaves in water, remove the leaves, and add Japonica Oryzae Semen (rice). Cook like ordinary rice. Line the steamer with lotus leaves. If no steamer is available in the north, use alternative methods, ensuring the rice absorbs the green color naturally to preserve the aroma. While the rice is still hot, mix with the herbal powder to form a dough, then shape into pills. Take after meals, guided by any appropriate liquid.