典藏书目

Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) resembles taro; the lateral root grows attached to the mother root, hence the name "Fuzi" (Attached Child). The smaller roots growing on the side are called "Cizi" (Side Child). Local people wish to increase their weight by flattening the Cizi with wooden blocks. However, since the mother-child forms do not match, one must select the smaller children and remove the tiny side roots; only when the net weight exceeds 1 liang (approx. 37g) is it suitable for use. If the weight including the side roots reaches 1.5 or 1.6 liang, the medicinal power is even more potent.

In recent times, laypeople generally refer to those weighing over 1 liang as "Tianxiong" (Heavenly Male). They do not know that Tianxiong grows longer than 3 cun (approx. 10cm) and has no side roots, which is why it is named "Xiong" (Male). Locals particularly avoid cultivating this type, considering it inauspicious, and even perform prayers to ward off bad luck, claiming it fails to achieve the mutual generation of mother and child. Currently, people often take Fuzi weighing around 1 liang; if 2-3 qian (approx. 7-11g) of Cizi are removed, the remaining mother body (Chuanwu, Sichuan Aconite Root) weighs only 7-8 qian. This error arises from a lack of investigation, leading to the perpetuation of vulgar misconceptions. Furthermore, the tip of the Fuzi is the root growing downward, and its nature tends downward. Those who use the tip to treat diseases in the upper part of the body are reversing the nature of the herb, which is particularly absurd.

There are 360 species of feathered creatures, born bearing the Qi of Fire, thus flying up and down. In the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), the chicken belongs to Xun (Wind); its comb and feathers are red, indicating it senses the Qi of Wood and Fire. In the Earthly Branches, it corresponds to You (Rooster), and is further controlled and transformed by Metal, hence it crows at the Yin and You hours. Before crowing, it flaps its wings, representing the image of Wind; the sound of crowing is the sound of Metal. (Master Yu said: Striking Wood against Metal produces sound.) Its nature favors fighting, bearing the Qi of Severity and Killing. Therefore, it treats metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding) and leukorrhea with red and white discharge in women. Metrorrhagia and leukorrhea involve blood governed by the Liver. All things have their own inherent nature; applying these natures to therapeutic methods fits perfectly like a tally, so understanding one allows inference of others.

The pig corresponds to Hai (Pig), an animal of Water, thus its flavor is salty and neutral. Pigs are very restless (Master Yu said: Restlessness belongs to Yin syndromes); they run without lifting their feet high. For healthy individuals, eating pork tonifies the Kidney and generates essence; however, for those suffering from wind-cold invasion, eating it generates phlegm and induces asthma, because it promotes the upward surge of Water Qi. Among the 360 species of hairy creatures, they are born sensing Wood Qi, while cattle, sheep, dogs, and horses bear the transformation of Fire and Earth. Pigs belong to Water and are cold in nature. Feathered creatures sense Fire Qi, and those growing in water (such as geese, ducks, wild ducks, and wild geese) constitute half of them. Although the five categories of creatures are born sensing the Five Elements' Qi, there are variations and transformations within the Five Elements. Understanding the way of change allows one to participate in comprehending Heaven and Earth's generation of living things.