Commentary states: Generally, in spring, one should take Xiaoxuming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction) for five doses, and various tonic powders for one dose each. In summer when it is extremely hot, one should take Shenli Tang (Kidney Drip Decoction) for three doses. In autumn, one takes pills such as Huangjing Wan (Polygonatum Pill) [including Zhi Gou and Zhi Gu Mi with astringent and nourishing properties] for maintenance and nourishment; thus, there are prescriptions for taking medicinal substances. Xi said: To engage in taking medicinal substances for longevity, one must seek what suits one's nature, examine whether the cold and warm properties are appropriate, and not blindly follow others just because they find efficacy. When initially using medicines, one should first use herbal plants (Caomu), then mineral drugs (Shi); this is the general principle of medication. It is said that fine and coarse substances alternate, progressing from coarse to fine. From youth to adulthood, the body is accustomed to the five grains; suddenly, it is impossible to discard them completely in one day. Taking medicines brings benefits that are slow and subtle, without immediate satiety. However, if taken continuously for years, the marrow will eventually become filled and solid, and the intake of five grains will naturally cease. Nowadays, people often expect effects within days or mornings, seeking immediate results. Before the internal organs are sufficiently filled, they wish to stop eating grains. Once the Qi of grains is eliminated, before the medicine has taken effect, they also engage in sexual intercourse. Their form and spirit remain no different from ordinary worldly people; causing harm in this manner, is it not strange? The general order of taking medicinal substances follows specific sequences. Those who do not know the method not only suffer damage but ultimately fail to gain efficacy. Therefore, the major principle of taking medicinal substances is to first eliminate the Three Worms (San Chong, pathogenic parasites or evil qi residing in the body). After the Three Worms are removed, one next takes herbal plant medicines. After gaining their efficacy, one takes tree-wood medicines. After gaining their efficacy, one takes mineral medicines. Following this sequence allows one to comply with the medicinal properties, thereby possibly eliminating the Three Corpses (Sanshi, Daoist concept of three worms harming life).

Prescription for Eliminating Three Corpses Pills:
Take San Dou (30 dou) of fresh Sheng Dihuang Juice (Raw Rehmannia Root Juice). Boil it over fire from an east-facing stove using reed wood for three boiling cycles. Add Er Sheng of Qingqi (Clear Lacquer). Stir with a spoon made of Jingtiao (Broom Willow). Move the container or heat source one chi daily. Add San Liang of Huangdan (Minium/Red Lead). Move another chi. Add San Sheng of Guazi Juice (Melon Seed Juice). Move another chi. Add San Liang of Dahuang Powder (Rhubarb Powder). Simmer on low heat to prevent burning. When cool enough, shape into pills.

Another Prescription:
Qingqi (Clear Lacquer, 2 sheng) Wujingzi (Brassica Napus Seeds, 3 sheng, powdered) Dahuang (Rhubarb, 6 liang, powdered) Jiu (Wine, 2.5 sheng)
Simmer all ingredients together over low heat until they can be shaped into pills the size of Wutong seeds. Take three pills before meals. After ten days, turbid blood will discharge from the nose. After thirty days, the worms will rot and discharge. Recovery occurs after five days.

Taking Tianmendong (Asparagus Cochinchinensis):
Dry Tianmendong by sun exposure, crush and sieve it. Take one Fangcunbi (a measuring spoon approx. one square inch) after meals, three times daily. Up to ten doses may be taken. It is especially beneficial for children. Taking it combined with Songzhi (Pine Resin) is even better; more is superior.

Another Prescription:
Crush to extract juice, simmer over low heat until reduced to Wu Dou (5 dou). Add Yi Dou (1 dou) of Baimi (White Honey). Add Er Sheng of Chao Mo Huma (Stir-fried Sesame Powder). Simmer together, stirring constantly without stopping until pill consistency is reached. Alternatively, mix with Da黄豆 Huangmo (Soybean Yellow Powder) to form cakes, diameter 3 cun, thickness 0.5 cun. Take one cake per dose, three times daily. Efficacy increases after 100 days. This is a supreme and excellent prescription. Another method: Brew wine and take it. Initially, consuming slightly more causes no discomfort; excessive consumption leads to vomiting, which expels disease.

Method for Brewing Wine with Tianmendong:
Select clean Tianmendong, wash thoroughly, remove heart and skin. Crush vigorously by hand. Press to obtain Er Sheng of juice. Soak Er Sheng of flour in the juice. Add Qu (fermentation starter). Brew wine using Nuomi (Glutinous Rice) methods. In spring and summer, serve very cold with food. In autumn and winter, serve at body temperature. Newly brewed wine tastes sour and has a foul smell like swill. However, upon long storage, it becomes fragrant and delicious, surpassing other wines. Sealing for four weeks (28 days) is ideal. Prepare small amounts in August and September, increase production in October, to be consumed continuously from Spring Equinox onwards. Preparation is also possible during the three spring months, but not after entering April. When drinking the wine, if Tianmendong (de-skinned and de-hearted) is ground into fine powder, take one Fangcunbi with the wine, three times daily, increasing to three spoons. Long-term use promotes longevity, tonifies the middle and boosts Qi, and cures hundred diseases. It treats deficiency exhaustion and various injuries, old age debility and emaciation, hemiplegia, wind-dampness numbness, cold bi-syndrome with abdominal accumulations, malignant sores and carbuncles, severe leprosy-like conditions, nasal collapse and decay. After taking, skin sheds, worms exit, complexion becomes rosy, hair turns black, fallen teeth regenerate, and the body does not get wet in water. After 200 days, the calm become tranquil, the weak become strong. After 300 days, the body feels light. Within three years, one can run faster than galloping horses. By ten years, chronic internal diseases are eliminated.

Method for Taking Dihuang (Rehmannia):
Take fifty Jin (approx. 30 kg) of Sheng Dihuang (Raw Rehmannia Root). Pounded repeatedly. Squeeze out juice. Clarify and remove dregs. Simmer on low heat until reduced by more than half. Add Wu Sheng of Baimi (White Honey) and Zaofei (Jujube Fat). Stop when pill consistency is reached. Take one pill the size of a chicken egg, three times daily. It makes the person fat and fair-skinned.

Another Prescription:
Dihuang (Rehmannia, 10 jin), finely sliced. Soak in Er Dou of Chunjiu (Mature Wine) for three nights. Remove, dry by sun. Repeat soaking and drying until the wine is fully absorbed. Mix with Gancao (Licorice), Bajitian (Morinda Officinalis), Houpo (Magnolia Bark), Ganqi (Dried Lacquer), Fupenzi (Rubus Fruit), each one Jin. Pound and sieve. Take one Fangcunbi after meals with wine, three times daily, increasing to two spoons. It reverses aging in the elderly, strengthens power, prevents illness, and prolongs life.

Method for Preparing Shu Dihuang (Prepared Rehmannia):
Harvest Dihuang, remove rootlets, leaves, and fine roots. Pound and squeeze to extract juice. Use this juice to soak large, fleshy Dihuang pieces. Place in a Zeng (steamer vessel) and steam until cooked. Remove, dry by sun. Steam again. Continue until juices are exhausted, then dry completely. Alternatively, slice directly and steam for half a day. Sprinkle wine repeatedly to ensure even saturation. Remove in the evening, pound into powder, refine honey, and make pills.

Method for Cultivating Dihuang:
First select high-quality, red, soft Dihuang. Plow the land deeply. Reverse plowing frozen soil in the twelfth lunar month is even better. Select large, healthy Dihuang roots, cut into segments 3-4 cun long. One Hu (approx. 10 liters) of seeds can plant one mu of land. Plant in the second or third lunar months. Create ridges spaced one chi apart. As they grow, weed and hill up soil frequently.