Library

Bupuzhi (Psoraleae Fructus) inherits the qi of Fire and Earth, and additionally obtains the yang energy of Heaven's mandate. Its black color further embodies the transformation of the virtue of Water. It is pungent in taste and greatly warm in nature, non-toxic. It belongs to Yang with a slight trace of Yin, characterized by more descending than ascending actions, and enters the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin, Mingmen, and the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin. It can warm the Water Zang (Kidney), generate Yang from Yin, strengthen Fire to benefit Earth, and is therefore specifically indicated for diarrhea caused by deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Kidney, coldness of the Kidney leading to seminal emission and enuresis, and various conditions of Yang deficiency and overstrain.

Bupuzhi treats male overstrain, remedies female blood and Qi disorders, and is miraculously effective for soreness and pain of the waist and knees, as well as having outstanding merit for bone marrow injury and degeneration. It eliminates scrotal heat and reduces urination frequency, secures essence against slipping and promotes sexual potency, dispels various wind-damp bi syndromes, removes cold pain in the four limbs, warms the Dantian, and stops renal diarrhea. When added with Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex) and Green Salt (Qing Yan), it forms Qing'e Wan (Blue Beauty Pill), which is the essential herb for both the Spleen and Kidney meridians and a spiritual elixir for strengthening Fire to tonify Earth. However, it is not suitable for those with Yin deficiency and hyperactive Fire, and pregnant women are forbidden to use it because its great warmth and pungency can consume substances and cause abortion.

(The Bupuzhi Pill from *Heji Fang* treats deficiency and collapse of the Lower Origin, heaviness of hands and feet, night sweats, caused by excessive sexual indulgence. This medicine strengthens sinews and bones, benefits primordial Qi. Take four liang of Bupuzhi stir-fried until fragrant, four liang of Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) steamed with wine, one liang of Hetao Rou (Walnut Kernel) peeled, and one qian half of Chenxiang (Aquilaria Lignum) ground into fine powder; mix with refined honey to form pills the size of wu zi (walnut seeds). Take twenty to thirty pills each time, downed with salt water on an empty stomach or warm wine as preferred. From Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice, take one dose daily. This prescription was obtained by Marshal Zhang Shou, who governed Guangzhou during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, from a Southern Barbarian. There is a poem saying: "For three years holding the tally towards the frontier, only then did people believe in the unique efficacy of this medicine; seizing the spring light into hand, do not let Blue Beauty laugh at white beard and hair." (*Xiazi Yi Qiji Fang*) treats flaccidity of the penis, continuous seminal leakage without cessation, feeling like needle pricks at times, and brittleness upon pinching; this is named Kidney Leakage. Use Po Gu Zhi (Bupuzhi) and Jiu Zi (Allii Tuberosi Semen), one liang each, ground into powder. Take three qian each time, decoct in two zhan of water until six fen remains, drink, three times a day, stop when cured. The Prefect Zheng narrated: "When I served as the Military Commissioner of Nanhai, aged fifteen, the low and damp climate of Yue injured my interior and exterior, causing various diseases to arise simultaneously. My Yang Qi was nearly exhausted. I took mineral stone tonics but hundred methods failed to respond. Li Mohe, the shipowner of Heling Country, bowed firmly and requested [to share] this prescription and medicine. Initially I doubted and did not take it, but after Mohe bowed firmly and requested again, I finally took it. After seven or eight days, I felt it effective. Since then, I regularly took it, and its merit was miraculous. In February of the tenth year, resigning from the commandery and returning to the capital, I recorded the prescription to pass it on. Use ten liang of Po Gu Zhi, clean, peel, wash, sun-dry, soak in wine, steam, sun-dry again, pound and sieve to make fine. Use twenty liang of Walnut Kernel, soak in hot water, peel, grind finely like mud. Mix with good honey until like maltose syrup. Store in a sealed vessel. In the morning, take two he of warm wine, mix with ten spoons of medicine, and take, then suppress with rice. For those who do not drink alcohol, mix with warm boiled water. Long-term administration prolongs life, benefits Qi, brightens the mind and eyes, supplements bone marrow. But avoid You Tai (Rapeseed) and Mutton; there are no other taboos. This substance originally came from foreign lands with sea ships, not native to China. Barbarians call it Bupuzhi, erroneously transmitted as Po Gu Zhi, which is incorrect. According to analysis, Po Gu Zhi belongs to Fire, astringes Shen (Spirit), enabling the Fire of the Pericardium to connect with the Fire of Mingmen, thus consolidating Yuan Qi and filling bone marrow. Astringency treats prolapse/leakage. Walnut belongs to Wood, moistens dryness and nourishes Blood. Blood belongs to Yin, dislikes dryness, hence oil moistens it. Assisting Po Gu Zhi creates the wonder of Wood and Fire generating each other, hence it is said: 'Po Gu Zhi without Walnut is like a jellyfish without shrimp.'"

Note: Bupuzhi, being black, inherits the true flavor of the North, its pungency and warmth activate the Yang of the Water Zang, thus reaching Mingmen, promoting sexual function, securing Essence and Qi, managing lower back pain, stopping renal diarrhea, and serving as a crucial agent for strengthening Earth and benefiting Fire. However, due to its overly drying nature, it is contraindicated for those with deficient Fire moving upward and severe constipation.)