Library

Jili (Tribulus Terrestris) has two varieties: one is the Bai Jili (White Tribulus) from Shayuan, Tongzhou, and the other is the Ci Jili (Spiny Tribulus) from Qinzhou. The white variety is believed to be generated by sensing horse essence, while the spiny variety is generated by sensing the yang qi within the earth. *Ben Jing* (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica) records it as bitter and warm; *Bie Lu* (Additional Records by Famous Physicians) adds that it is acrid and slightly cold, with no toxicity. It should be stir-fried, crushed, and the spines removed before use.

Ci Jili is light in texture and white in color, corresponding to Metal and entering the Liver Meridian. Although the Liver has the function of storing blood, blood is not a substance that can remain stagnant; if it stagnates, it loses its fullness and agility, leading to evil blood and causing disease. Jili promotes circulation and unblocks obstructions, thus it primarily treats women's accumulations and masses caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis. It can resolve nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea in men, alleviate lower back pain due to Kidney deficiency, treat middle-jiao damage and fatigue, induce labor or abort fetuses, relieve irritability and direct rebellious qi downward, treat breast carbuncles (Ru Fa) and leukorrhea with effective results; it can also cure pus and blood in lung atrophy (Fei Wei); treat redness and pain in both eyes with persistent nebulae; treat vitiligo all over the body and unbearable itching; eliminate throat obstruction and headache, reduce hemorrhoids and damp sweat in the genital area, remove bad blood and promote muscle growth, brighten the eyes and lighten the body. It mainly acts on the Liver Meridian because its bitter, warm, acrid, and fragrant flavors can directly disperse stagnation.

The other variety, Shayuan Jili, is fine in texture and green in color. It specifically enters the Kidney Meridian. Due to its cold nature and solid texture, it can strengthen yin, so its efficacy in benefiting essence and treating kidney disorders is even superior.

Indications (referencing combined analysis of smallpox and rashes): Select the white variety, stir-fry it first, then crush it, remove the spines, grind it into fine powder, and add it to decoctions. It is suitable for cases where smallpox lesions are itchy and ulcerated, as well as for eye diseases occurring after the resolution of smallpox.

Chandouteng (Vine wrapping around soybeans) harmonizes the middle jiao and resolves toxicity. It should be harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and dried in the shade. The thin red filaments wrapping around the stalks of common beans are considered superior and are commonly used in formulas for attenuating smallpox toxins.

This refers to old firewood found on wall tops. It has absorbed the residual qi of grains and endured long periods of cold and heat, rain and dew, and the essence of sun and moon. Therefore, it is most effective for treating chronic, non-healing sores and ulcers.

Baicao (Decayed grass), especially that which is very old and located on the east-facing wall, is best. It can be sun-dried or baked, ground into fine powder; applied topically to sores; or placed between mats. It effectively resolves smallpox toxins and has miraculous effects in draining dampness, making it essential for treating ulcerated smallpox lesions.

Xiakucao (Prunella Vulgaris) embodies pure yang qi, hence it grows at the Winter Solstice and withers at the Summer Solstice. It also receives the qi of Metal and Water, so its taste is bitter and acrid, its nature is slightly cold, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Foot Jueyin (Liver) and Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridians. Acridity can disperse nodules, and bitterness can drain heat. Thus, it is a crucial herb for treating all types of alternating chills and fever, scrofula (Luoli), breaking hard goiters, mammary abscesses, breast cancer (Ruyan), and eye swelling caused by fire stagnation, characterized by extreme photophobia. The stem ends in spikes bearing pale purple flowers, which are harvested and dried in the shade.

Xiakucao tastes bitter and acrid and is slightly cold in nature. It disperses qi stagnation and resolves internal heat, nourishes liver blood, and soothes liver fire. It breaks hard goiters and tumors, dissipates scrofula and rat-like swellings (Luoshu), treats both cold and heat patterns, and dispels wind-damp bi syndrome. It is particularly effective for eye pain that worsens at night. This herb embodies pure yang nature; after the Summer Solstice, upon receiving yin qi, it withers. Therefore, it treats eye diseases caused by fire stagnation in the Jueyin meridian, as well as breast cancer and mammary abscesses formed by depression and anger, and all kinds of carbuncles and swellings. (The sclera belongs to yang, so pain during the day responds well to bitter-cold drops; the cornea/pupil belongs to yin, so night pain worsens with bitter-cold drops. Xiakucao possesses pure yang qi, nourishes the Jueyin blood vessels, and thus treats night pain with divine efficacy. Its pure yang qi conquers turbid yin and disperses Jueyin stagnating fire.)