https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/A4PeQB2Vq1CW8xtc-5KQOA
Everyone is welcome to share their experiences with the medicine in the replies to help others find and learn from them.
343. Raw Ziziphus Seed
Soaking raw Ziziphus seed in water has a flavor somewhat like bamboo sugarcane water, while roasted Ziziphus seed adds a bit of a roasted aroma on that basis.
The price of Ziziphus seed has risen in the past two years, purely due to speculation. Recently, the speculation target shifted to Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), which is scary—the Xinjiang Ziziphus seed has come to market, but the retail price is unlikely to return to the previous 0.3 yuan/gram; it will probably stabilize around 1 yuan/gram.
Confirmed direct effect: tonifying heart and liver blood, mainly heart blood. Other calming (anshen) effects are indirect.
For patients with suitable conditions, I have them decoct the Ziziphus seed first, then fish it out to eat, maximizing its efficacy; just drinking the decoction water is less effective. 6 grams has some effect, 15 grams is the typical dose, and those with better economic conditions can prescribe up to 30 grams.
Don’t be afraid of expensive prescriptions; mine are not cheap, but as long as the efficacy is good enough, patients will still appreciate you.
387. Deer Antler Velvet (Maral Blood Tablets)
Smells like the “Naijier” capsules I took in childhood, fishy with a milky fragrance on careful tasting.
Its effects overlap with Purple Rehmannia (Zi He Che)—which purely nourishes essence—while different parts of deer antler have some differences: blood tablets nourish both essence and blood, also boost yang; half- and fully-waxed tablets mainly aid repair, with good effects on cardiovascular, brain, liver, and kidney damage.
Can be taken directly by sucking in the mouth, or powdered and mixed with water; 3-6 grams. I’ve prescribed 15 grams before; if the formula is right, it won’t cause heatiness.
387. Deer Antler Velvet (Sika Deer Red Powder)
The sample given this time is between red and white powder, quality is acceptable. The difference between red and white powder is that white is milder, while red powder is more stimulating—but if one is naturally calm and with few desires, either is fine; originally there is nothing, nowhere to attract dust.
In recent years, there are new hybrid varieties of New Zealand deer and Sika deer, indistinguishable to the naked eye, but the taste reveals the difference—New Zealand deer have a stronger fishy and milky aroma. In terms of effects, the difference is actually minor because the hybrids contain 50% Sika deer bloodline bred for antler growth.
Deer antler velvet, deer blood, and deer horn glue all have one downside: their effectiveness diminishes with continued use. So don’t develop dependence; if you fall, let the deer 
help you up, but once recovered, take good care of yourself and don’t always rely on the to help.