Library

(San Cai) Obtains Yang Qi and is influenced by Metal Qi, thus its taste is pungent, its nature is warm, it is non-toxic, and possesses the property of pungent-warm dispersing. Therefore, it can direct Qi downward to relieve abdominal distension and fullness, as well as various pains caused by the counterflow of Hong Kong Jiao (podagra/foot swelling), and its fragrant aroma can resolve the foulness of lacquer poison.

San Cai (Cunninghamia Lanceolata Wood), when decocted and taken internally, is effective for treating abdominal distension and pain, and sudden severe heart pain; when decocted for external washing, it treats wind-rash itching sores, and immediately resolves lacquer dermatitis caused by contact with raw lacquer. San Jie (Cunninghamia Lanceolata Nodes), when boiled and soaked, treat Hong Kong Jiao swelling and pain. Jun (mushrooms growing on Cunninghamia), when decocted and swallowed, treat sudden pain in the heart and lungs.

(Zi Jing Mu Pi) Internally inherits the clear-cold Qi of Heaven and Earth, and externally receives the initial Yang Qi of the South; thus its taste is bitter, its nature is cold, and it is non-toxic. The color of flowers and trees is mostly purple, entering the Blood aspect of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. Cold overcomes heat, bitterness drains accumulation, and purple enters the Ying (Nutrient) level; therefore, it can invigorate blood, break blood stasis, reduce swelling and toxic sores, and promote urination for the five types of strangury (Wu Lin). The flower stalks have the same taste, nature, and functions as the bark. *Xian Chuan Wai Ke* records that for early-stage back carbuncles and all kinds of abscesses, this can be treated. Used alone, Zi Jing Pi (Bark of Bauhinia Variegata) ground into powder, mixed with wine and applied topically, will naturally shrink and close even if not ulcerated; it can also be taken internally.

Zi Jing Mu Pi mainly breaks old blood stasis and promotes urination for the five types of strangury; take a strong decoction internally.

(Wu Bai Mu Gen Pi) Born from the Qi of Fire and Metal, its taste is pungent and bitter, slightly warm, and it is toxic. It enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. It is roughly similar to Ba Dou (Croton Seed) and Qian Niu (Pharbitis Seed), serving as a necessary agent for removing water retention and breaking accumulations. Those with Spleen deficiency must avoid it. Thus, *Zhou Hou Fang* prescribes Wu Bai Southeast Root White Bark for treating constipation and urinary retention, which can be fatal after three days: dry the white bark from the southeast root of the Chinese Tallow Tree, grind into powder, and take two qian with hot water.

Wu Bai Mu Gen Pi mainly treats sudden water retention and accumulated masses.

(Hua Mu Pi) Grows in the cold, Yin regions of the Northwest; its taste is bitter, its nature is cool, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. The bitter-cool nature can damp-heat jaundice and breast abscess swelling/pain.

Hua Mu Pi (Birch Bark) treats various types of jaundice; drink a strong decoction. For breast abscess swelling and pain, use authentic Northern Birch Bark, charred to retain efficacy, ground into powder, mixed with unadulterated wine, and taken with more than one qian; lie down after taking, and recover upon waking.

Chi Cheng Mu (Tamarix Branch), also known as Xi Hu Liu. Born from Spring Yang Qi, its color is green with leaves slightly tinged red, it does not shed leaves in winter, its taste is sweet and salty, its nature is warm and non-toxic, and its action is floating and ascending. It enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, and Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. It resolves toxicity caused by donkey or horse blood entering the flesh, likely because donkeys and horses are inherently hot and toxic; when their hot blood enters human flesh during skinning, it causes poisoning. This herb is sweet and salty. Sweetness derives from Earth Qi, saltiness from Water Qi, so it enters the Blood level and resolves blood-level toxins. In recent times, it has been used to treat sha zhen (sand rash) where heat-toxin cannot exit outward, acting as a divine dispersing agent. Generally, all pain, itching, sores, and ulcers belong to Heart Fire. When heat-toxin blazes in the Lung and Stomach, macules and rashes appear on the muscles, because the Lung governs the skin and hair, and the Stomach governs the muscles. This herb precisely enters the Lung, Heart, and Stomach meridians. When toxins in these three meridians are resolved, evil pathogens penetrate the skin, and internal heat naturally dissipates. These are the functions of opening, ascending, and dispersing, derived from its sweet, salty, and slightly warm nature.