Library

[Background Information]
Book: *Xinxiu Bencao* (Newly Revised Materia Medica)
Authors: Su Jing and over 20 others
Dynasty: Tang Dynasty
Chapter: Bamboo Leaves / Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange)
Category: Materia Medica

[Translation]

Qin Zhuye (Bamboo Leaves of Qin), bitter in taste, neutral to very cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats cough with upward rushing qi, spasticity of tendons, foul ulcers, kills small insects, removes irritability and heat, wind-induced skin itching, throat swelling, benefits qi, stops thirst, tonifies deficiency and directs qi downward, and detoxifies. Its juice primarily treats wind-bi (wind-pain syndrome). Bamboo fruits (Zhu Shi) open the orifices of the spirit, lighten the body, and benefit qi. It grows in Yizhou.

Dan Zhuye (Light Green Bamboo Leaves), pungent in taste, neutral to very cold in nature. It primarily treats phlegm-heat in the chest and cough with upward rushing qi. Its exudate (Zhuli, Bamboo Sap), very cold in nature, treats sudden stroke, wind-bi, warm qi in the chest, alternating chills and fever, hematemesis, metrorrhagia, and tendon spasticity.

Ku Zhuye (Bitter Bamboo Leaves) and its exudate treat mouth sores, eye pain, brighten the eyes, and unblock the nine orifices.

Zhusun (Bamboo Shoots), sweet in taste, non-toxic. It primarily treats xiaoke (wasting-thirst syndrome), promotes urination, benefits qi, and can be consumed for a long time. Charred dried bamboo shoots treat bleeding from the five types of hemorrhoids.

There are many varieties of bamboo. The first entry mentioned "Qin Zhuye," which refers to Huangzhu (Hedge Bamboo); next are used Danzhu (Light Green Bamboo) and Kuzhu (Bitter Bamboo). There is another variety with thin shells called Gan Zhuye (Sweet Bamboo Leaves), which is of the highest quality. There are also Shizhongzhu and Shengzhu; their bamboo shoots are considered excellent, but their stems and leaves have no medicinal use. Whenever extracting Zhuli (Bamboo Sap), only Danzhu should be used. Zhu Shi (Bamboo Fruits) originate from Lantian. In the Jiangdong region, there are flowers but no fruits, hence the phoenix does not come. However, recently, Banban (Spotted Bamboo) has produced fruits; these fruits resemble wheat and can be cooked as rice.

Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), bitter and sour in taste, cold to slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats severe wind in the skin causing itching like millet grains, eliminates chills, fever, and heat accumulation, stops dysentery. It promotes muscle growth, relieves dampness in the chest and hypochondrium, expels retained water, breaks up accumulations, reduces distension and fullness, alleviates urgency and pain under the heart, pi-tong (abdominal masses and pain), rebellious qi, wind-pain in the hypochondrium, calms stomach qi, stops loose stools, and brightens the eyes. It grows in the rivers and marshes of Henei. It is harvested in the ninth and tenth months and dried in the shade.

Now it is available everywhere; it is harvested, split open, and dried. When used, remove the central core and lightly roast until fragrant. Like Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel), aged material is superior. The branches, stems, and bark of the Zhishu (Bitter Orange Tree) treat edema, sudden wind, and acute joint pain.

Zhishi is widely used in folk prescriptions, but Daoists do not require it.

[Note by the Compiler]: Zhishi must be sun-dried to be usable; drying in the shade causes it to become wet and rot. When used, it is best to remove the core and the inner pith.

Some now claim that Zhike (Ripe Bitter Orange) is used this way. If one claims to use Zhishi but requires using it with the core and pith included, this is completely incorrect and erroneous.