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Changshan (Dichroae Radix): Its nature is cool, and its taste is slightly bitter. It is adept at eliminating phlegm-dampness in the Spleen and is a key herb for treating malaria (Malaria is all caused by excessive phlegm in the Spleen; cases of chronic malaria with hard masses under the hypochondrium, known as *Nuomu* [Malarial Mass], are due to Spleen enlargement accompanied by phlegm). Taken in small doses, the phlegm can be gradually eliminated; if taken in large doses, it can induce vomiting to expel the phlegm from the Spleen. Because large doses cause vomiting, various materia medica texts claim it is toxic. Consequently, physicians dare not use large doses when treating malaria, leading to inconsistent efficacy. To ensure effectiveness, one should follow the ancient method of dividing one prescription into three doses: use 5–6 qian of Changshan, decoct it into a large cup of soup, and drink it slowly in warm portions over 5–6 times. This prevents vomiting, and malaria can be cured in 80–90% of cases.

[Attached Case] In 1917, during midsummer, I suffered from malaria due to overexertion and exposure to summer-heat. On a day when no fever occurred, I took 8 qian of Changshan, decocted it into a large bowl of soup, and drank it slowly while warm. Each sip was limited to one large mouthful, finishing the dose by evening. I felt no discomfort whatsoever, and the malaria resolved. Subsequently, I changed the decoction into pills: grinding Changshan finely, sifting it, and forming pills with water to the size of Sophora seeds (*Sophorae Semen*). The dosage was 8 fen per intake, taken five times daily from morning to evening, totaling 4 qian of medicine, which also cured the malaria. If the fever during an attack was severe, one could decoct 1 liang of Sheng Shigao (Raw Gypsum Fibrosum) and use this soup to administer the first two doses. Westerners believe that malaria patients harbor malarial parasites; since the Western medicine Cinchonae Cortex (Cinchona Bark) effectively eliminates these parasites, it treats malaria well. Changshan is likely also an herb effective against these parasites?

Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus): Its taste is extremely sour with a slight sweetness, and its nature is neutral. With red skin and reddish-yellow flesh, it enters the Blood aspect and is a key herb for resolving blood stasis. It can eliminate accumulations (*Pi Jia*) and masses (*Jia Kuai*), treat amenorrhea in women, and alleviate postpartum pain caused by blood stasis (colloquially known as *Erzhen Tong* [Child Pillow Pain]). Due to its sour and slightly sweet taste, it aids gastric acid secretion, thereby digesting food stagnation, particularly effective for meat accumulation. Its power to resolve stasis can further clear intestinal stasis, treating dysentery with pus and blood. Additionally, it enters the Qi aspect to open Qi stagnation and resolve phlegm nodules, treating heart and abdominal pain. When assisted by sweet herbs (such as Gancao [Licorice Root] or sucrose, where sour and sweet combine to embody the principle of *Jia Ji Hua Tu* [Earth transformation]), it resolves blood stasis without damaging new blood and opens stagnant Qi without harming healthy Qi, making its nature even more mild.

For women whose menstruation fails to arrive on schedule, decoct 1 liang of Shanzha in soup, dissolve 7–8 qian of red or white sugar, and take it orally; menstruation will flow immediately. This formula has proven repeatedly effective. For amenorrhea lasting several months, repeated administration will also induce flow.

For early-stage dysentery, use 1 liang of Shanzha, 5 qian each of red and white sugar, and 0.5 qian of high-quality Maojian tea. Decoct the Shanzha, then add the sugars and tea to a lidded bowl, steep for a moment, and drink; recovery follows quickly.

Appendix: *Bencao Gangmu* records two formulas after the entry for Shanzha: One treats intestinal wind bleeding; if cooling, heating, or splea-tonifying medicines fail, using dried Shanzha alone as powder, mixed with mugwort decoction, yields immediate results. Another treats critical cases of dry, blackened pox/rash; using Shanzha powder mixed with Zicao (Arnebiae Radix et Rhizoma) wine decoction, taken in 1 qian doses. Note: Both formulas have demonstrated efficacy, so they are appended here.