Library

Bitter, warm, non-toxic.

[Invention] Camellia flower has red color and bitter taste; it blooms when the Yang energy of spring begins to stir, deriving from the Liver Wood Qi to generate Heart Fire. The Liver stores blood, and the Heart governs blood; therefore, it is a key herb for treating hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), and lower body bleeding. When used raw, it can break up old blood and generate new blood. When stir-fried with child's urine until blackened, it can stop bleeding; its efficacy is not inferior to Curcuma aromatica (Ezhao, 莪术) or Curcuma longa (Jianghuang, 姜黄) [Note: Du Jin usually refers to Curcuma wenyujin or similar, here translated as Curcuma species], making it truly an excellent medicine for blood disorders.

Sweet, neutral, slightly cold, non-toxic. Authentic specimens cause sneezing upon smelling. Select cleanly, soak in wine overnight, drain, and sun-dry for use.

[Invention] Vitex rotundifolia (Mimeng, 密蒙花) enters the Blood aspect of the Liver Meridian, moistens Liver dryness, and is a specialized herb for dispelling wind, resolving nodules, and treating eye diseases. It treats amaurosis (blindness), blurred vision with ocular membranes, redness and swelling with excessive discharge and tears, eliminates red vessels in the eyes, and addresses residual toxins from smallpox in children; it is also suitable for Gan heat attacking the eyes.

Acrid, warm, slightly toxic.

[Invention] Gossypium herbaceum leaf is green, flower yellow, stem red; cotton is white, seed black. It is indeed a warming agent that travels to the Gate of Vitality (Mingmen). Take the seeds, burn them retaining their character (charred), which not only resolves syphilitic sores toxicity but also treats hemorrhoids, fistulas, rectal prolapse, and lower bleeding. Take half tael per dose, administered with wine infused with black soybeans. Its oil, when burned in a lamp, can dazzle the eyes because it aids lustful fire.

Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Invention] Quercus serrata (Za, 柞) specializes in opening orifices; thus, it treats jaundice, scrofula, facilitates childbirth, and is often used after being burnt to ash.

Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Invention] Buxus sinica (Huangyang, 黄杨) has a contracting and descending nature. For difficult labor in women, when included in Dasheng San (Life-Reaching Powder) and taken, uterine contractions become tight. Also, crushed leaves applied topically treat carbuncles and furuncles due to its contracting nature.

Sweet, warm, non-toxic.

[Invention] Euonymus alatus (Fangzhang, 放杖) specifically treats all types of Wind and Qi/Blood disorders, regulates the waist and legs. Elderly people who soak it in wine and drink it can discard their walking sticks after one month, hence the name.

Also known as Xugu Mu (Bone-Continuing Wood), or Moshuodie, commonly known as Qianqian Huo.

Sweet, bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Invention] This wood specifically treats fractures and injuries, continues bones and tendons, dispels Wind-Bi (painful obstruction), treats dental caries, and can be made into a bathing decoction. The root bark treats phlegm-fluid retention, Phlegm-Malaria, traumatic blood stasis, and any condition where blood circulation fails. Decoct and drink; do not take in large amounts, as its fishy odor damages Stomach Qi.

Sweet, bland, neutral, non-toxic. When used in Qi-tonifying formulas, steam with human milk; when used in diuretic formulas, mix with Cinnamon Twig Wine (Guizhi Jiu) and sun-dry; cut after soaking in child's urine. A variety cultivated artificially is called Shiling, produced in central Zhejiang, but it is white and not firm, having less medicinal potency. When using Poria (Fuling, 茯苓), the outer skin and inner membrane must be completely removed to avoid damaging true Qi, as the skin promotes leakage of fluids, and the membrane obstructs meridians.

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats rebellious Qi in the chest and hypochondrium, sorrow/anger, fright, evil influences, fear, and palpitations, knotting pain below the heart, alternating chills and fever, vexation, fullness, cough with rebellious Qi, scorched mouth, and dry tongue; it promotes urination. Long-term use calms the soul, nourishes the spirit, prevents hunger, and extends longevity.

[Invention] Poria forms from the residual Qi of pine trees. Sweet and bland, neutral in nature, it can guard the true Qi of the Five Zang organs. Its nature rises first and descends later, entering the Hand and Foot Taiyin, Shaoyin, Foot Taiyang, and Yangming meridians. It opens the stomach, transforms phlegm, promotes urination, calms palpitations, stops vomiting and diarrhea, removes dampness, and disperses deficiency heat. The *Bencao Jing* treats rebellious Qi in the chest and hypochondrium due to its descending and draining action. It treats sorrow, anger, fright, palpitations, and knotting pain below the heart because it connects upward to Heart Qi. It treats alternating chills/fever, vexation/fullness, cough/rebellious Qi, scorched mouth/dry tongue, and promotes urination because it导 heat, moistens dryness, and circulates fluids. The *Bencao* says it promotes urination and attacks Stomach pathogenic factors. Li Dongyuan stated that for frequent urination, it can stop it; for urinary retention, it can promote flow; for diarrhea, it can stop it; for constipation, it can promote flow. Zhu Danxi said Yin-deficient patients should not use it. Why do these principles seem contradictory? Generally, Poria is bland and渗 (permeating); it ascends to generate fluids, opens interstices, nourishes the source of water, and then descends to promote urination. Zhang Jiegu said it belongs to Yang, floating and ascending, referring to its nature. Li Dongyuan said it is Yin within Yang, descending, referring to its function. The *Neijing* states: Food enters the Stomach, its essence floats and overflows, goes up to the Spleen; Spleen Qi scatters essence, returns it upward to the Lung; the Lung regulates water passages, sending it down to the Bladder. Thus, we know the permeating nature must rise first and descend later; when Bladder Qi transforms, urination becomes smooth. If Lung Qi is excessive, there is upper excess and lower deficiency; upper excess causes vexation/fullness and panting/fatigue, while lower deficiency causes flaccidity/weakness and frequent urination. Poria rises first and descends later, guiding heat downward to seep out, so it can stop frequent urination. Diarrhea occurs because Stomach Qi is disharmonious and cannot separate clear from turbid fluids, causing them to leak into the Large Intestine; Poria separates Yin and Yang, stopping diarrhea. Constipation occurs because Bladder water does not move, causing Bladder hardness/fullness that presses against the Large Intestine, preventing bowel movement; using Poria to promote urination first allows stool to follow. Regarding enuresis caused by Lung deficiency, Heart deficiency (shortness of breath/enuresis), Lower Jiao deficiency, Heat in the Bladder from the Bao organ, Bladder failure to constrain, or Jueyin disease—all are deficiency-heat conditions. If there is Upper Heat and Lower Cold, ascending Yang herbs are needed, not bland-permeating ones like Poria; thus, it is unsuitable for Yin deficiency. This herb has water-moving power; long-term use harms the person. In Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill), it is used merely to guide other herbs to the Kidney meridian, removing accumulated filth in the Bao organ, acting as a transporter. Therefore, those with Yin deficiency, seminal emission without awareness, and urinary incontinence should not take it, as it drains fluids. The red variety enters Bing/Ding (Heart/Small Intestine), primarily addressing redness. Its skin treats edema, subcutaneous edema, unblocks water passages, and opens interstices, surpassing Areca Seed (Dafupi, 大腹皮) in efficacy without depleting Qi.