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Born from the Qi of Fire, its taste is pungent and bitter, its nature is extremely hot, and it has slight toxicity. It enters the four meridians: Foot-Yangming, Foot-Taiyin, Foot-Shaoyin, and Foot-Jueyin.
It treats all types of Yin-cold conditions.

Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), being extremely warm, disperses cold in the chest, spleen, and stomach; eliminates dampness affecting the bladder; treats hernia with scrotal pain caused by Yin-cold; and addresses chronic cold-type loose stools. It acts on the Qi level of the Liver meridian and the Blood level of the Spleen meridian. However, its nature is dry and urgent; it is highly unsuitable for patients with Yin deficiency and hyperactive fire.

Indications (referencing *Douzhen Hecan*): Select small fruits, remove the stems, soak them in boiling water to remove the bitter juice six or seven times, then dry them slowly over a slow fire on tiles. It is suitable for cases where drinking cold liquids damages the Stomach Qi, causing persistent vomiting. Li Shicai stated: "It dries the intestines and stops chronic loose stools with sliding; disperses Yin-cold and attacks heart and abdominal pain; removing cold distension is its unique strength; soothing Liver Qi is also a specialty; it is suitable for hernia pain and beriberi; opening depression and killing parasites are highly effective."

Commentary: Wuzhuyu is pungent, dispersing, and drying-hot. It primarily enters the Jueyin meridian, with secondary effects on the Spleen and Kidney meridians. However, it descends Qi very rapidly; taking it will worsen symptoms in individuals with empty intestines. Li Dongyuan said: "When turbid Yin fails to descend and Jueyin Qi rebels upward, leading to severe distension, only Evodia can treat this." However, excessive use damages Yuan Qi. Regarding sores in the throat and tongue, applying a paste of Wuzhuyu powder mixed with vinegar to both sole centers (Yongquan acupoints) cures it overnight; this draws heat downward. Its nature is extremely dry and urgent; it should not be lightly administered unless there is severe Cold. For deficiency-type diarrhea, it must be used as a principal herb in formulas containing Ginseng and Atractylodes, and even then, only in small doses; otherwise, it harms the body. Duan Chengshi said: "The Qi of Sichuan pepper tends to go down, while the Qi of Evodia tends to go up. Therefore, consuming Evodia can cause harm such as rushing against the diaphragm, irritating the eyes leading to hair loss, inducing sore throat, stirring fire, and triggering sores."

Born from the Qi of Earth and Water, its taste is sweet and pungent, its nature is neutral, slightly cold, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Hand-Jueyin, Hand-Shaoyin, and Foot-Yangming meridians.
It is an herb that dissipates blood stasis.

Sufangmu (Sappan Lignum) specifically moves accumulated blood, particularly postpartum retained blood. It treats blood stasis from falls and blows, dissipates carbuncles and swellings, promotes pus discharge, relieves pain, regulates menstruation, invigorates blood, and resolves stasis. When combined with Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), it disperses wind-qi in the exterior and interior; when combined with Ruxiang (Olibanum), it treats trismus due to wind.

Postpartum asthma with blackening complexion approaching death indicates blood entering the Lung. Administer Ren Shen Su Yin (Ginseng and Sappan Decoction) for miraculous efficacy. Formula: Sappan Lignum 2 liang, water 2 bowls, decoct to 1 bowl, add 5 qian of powdered Ginseng, and take orally.

Indications (referencing *Douzhen Hecan*): Mainly treats pain caused by blood stasis from falls during the course of chickenpox/smallpox. Use temporarily to invigorate blood. The herb must be chopped, soaked in wine, and decocted until the liquid resembles pus before adding to the prescription.

Commentary: Sappan Lignum regulates blood similarly to Honghua (Carthami Flos). In small doses, it harmonizes blood; in large doses, it breaks blood. Its treatment of wind disorders follows the principle: "To treat wind, first treat blood; when blood flows, wind extinguishes itself." However, it must be combined with blood-nourishing herbs to achieve efficacy.