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[Chuan Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex)]
Bitter, cold. Enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. It is most effective in guiding medicinal properties into the Liver. It dispels wind-heat, kills three types of parasites, dissipates Luoli (scrofula), and treats Jingxian (convulsions). It calms the Heart and brightens the eyes, promotes urination to reduce edema. When combined with Zhusha (Cinnabar), it treats Fengmi (constipation due to wind). Paired with Gancao (Licorice Root), applied externally for sores. Assisted by Shijunzi (Quisqualis Fruit), it treats Pi Ganic (spleen-type malnutrition). Added to salt water for rinsing teeth. (It can also be ground with Gancao and applied externally.) Contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold.

[Lu Hui (Aloe)]
Salty, bitter, very cold. Clears heat and expels wind, treats Chi Ni (gum bleeding), dissipates Luoli, removes tubercles, clears the throat, and stops painful heat. Combined with Huangdan (Red Lead Oxide), sprinkled on Zouma Gan (gangrenous stomatitis). Assisted by Digupi (Lycii Cortex), used for gargling to treat Ya Xuanlu (receding gums exposing tooth roots). For treating Hou Bi (throat obstruction), grind into water and apply to sweep away phlegm; recovery follows. Excessive consumption causes vomiting.

(Note: The text "(Trees, 27 species)" is a classification heading with no specific content.)

[Supplementary Discussion on Chuan Huangbai]
Feared by Fuliuhuang (Sulfur fixed with mercury), adverse to Gan Qixi (Dry Lacquer).
Bitter, cold. Enters the Blood aspect of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Purges latent fire in the Lower Jiao, eliminates dampness in the deepest Yin organs. For Lin Mi (difficult or obstructed urination), watery diarrhea, and bloody dysentery caused by damp-heat, this herb is suitable. Combined with Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), it treats sore throat. (Rougui is the key to the Mingmen [Gate of Life], relying on it to open the Qi mechanism.) Paired with Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), it descends Lung fire. Assisted by Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), it treats Shi Wei (flaccidity due to dampness). (Huangbai enters directly.) With Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), it purges Bladder fire. (Xixin dosage: 2-3 fen.)
For treating upper body conditions, process with wine. For middle body conditions, honey-fry. For lower body conditions, process with salt water. To stop Beng Dai (metrorrhagia and leukorrhea), char to carbon. For external application on sores, mix with milk. Contraindicated in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency diarrhea and when the Chi pulse is fine and weak.

Chuan Huangbai "nourishes Water" because it clears Yin Fire that overflows upward from the Lower Jiao. Once the fire is cleared, Water becomes firm and consolidated; thus, it nourishes without being explicitly tonifying. This is because the evil fire within the Yin is not the True Fire of the Mingmen, so it is acceptable to eliminate it with bitter-cold herbs. However, if the True Water of the Kidney is insufficient, causing the True Fire within the Water to float upward, one should use Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) to nourish it. When Water is sufficient, Fire naturally returns to its storage. If Zhimu and Huangbai are mistakenly administered, Water becomes drier and Fire more blazing, resulting in a state of solitary Yang flying away, which is incurable.

It is also said: The Fire of the Mingmen, when staying in its position, is the Sheng Sheng Zhi Shao Huo (vitalizing mild fire); when leaving its position, it becomes Zhuang Huo (excessive fire) that scorches Yin and consumes Qi, which is feared. If urgent removal is not required, Chuan Huangbai and Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) are necessary. However, if Shao Huo leaves its position due to loss of Water source, using the bitter-drying nature of Chuan Huangbai is inferior to the acrid-moistening nature of Mudanpi, as the latter does not damage True Yin.