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Pungent, bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) records that it can stop dysentery, promote muscle growth, unblock the five zang organs, tonify qi, and lighten the body.

[Invention] Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) enters the blood aspect of the Liver and Spleen; it resolves food stagnation, drains phlegm, opens orifices, and breaks qi stagnation. For epigastric fullness (Xin Xia Pi) and undigested food retention, Zhi Zhu Wan (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Macrocephala Pill) is suitable. Therefore, Li Dongyuan's (Jiegu)'s Zhi Zhu Wan regulates the Spleen and Stomach, originating from the method in *Jingui Yaolue* for treating a hard mass as large as a plate under the heart, using Zhi Shi Bai Zhu Tang, after which the abdomen becomes soft and dissipates. Jiegu stated that for epigastric fullness and undigested food retention with fever, Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) are suitable. Wang Haogu stated that to tonify qi, one should add Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), and Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger); to break qi, one should add Da Huang (Rhubarb Root) and Mang Xiao (Mirabilite). This explains why the *Bencao Jing* mentions tonifying qi, while Jiegu also mentions resolving stasis. Li Shicai stated that since Li Dongyuan, there has been a distinction: Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange) treats the upper jiao, while Zhi Shi treats the lower jiao. Wang Haogu distinguished that Zhi Ke treats qi disorders, while Zhi Shi treats blood disorders. However, upon investigation, their functions both relate to promoting qi movement. In cases where weak qi and deficient Spleen lead to food retention and fullness, treatment should focus on tonifying the Middle and boosting Qi, so that food digests naturally and fullness dissipates. Using Zhi Ke or Zhi Shi in such cases would be like adding firewood to save a fire (making the problem worse).

Pungent, warm in nature, non-toxic.
[Invention] Gou Ju (Citrus Bigaradia Fruit) is similar to Zhi Shi but has many thorns on its branches, thus its power to break qi and dissipate heat exceeds that of Zhi Shi. Li Shizhen used it to treat dysentery with pus and blood and tenesmus. Currently, people use it to resolve alcohol toxicity, primarily taking advantage of its qi-breaking power. The *Dan Fang* prescribes Gou Ju powder preserved in nature, taken with wine, to treat gastric knotting pain. It is also soaked in vinegar and boiled into a paste, applied externally to various internal injury pains; pain stops upon application, but long-term application is required to prevent recurrence.

Bitter, cold in nature, non-toxic. For emetic preparations, take Fei Zhi Zi (Large Gardenia) raw; for fire-draining medicines, use Jian Zhi Zi stir-fried with ginger juice until blackened.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats evil qi in the five viscera, hot qi in the Stomach, facial redness with rosacea, nasal alae leukoderma, and erythema leprosy sores.
[Invention] Zhi Zi Ren (Gardenia Seed) has a light and floating nature, specifically clearing exogenous heat from the Heart and Lungs. The *Bencao Jing*'s treatment of evil qi in the five viscera and hot qi in the Stomach does not solely refer to clearing exogenous heat from the Heart and Lungs. Its ability to remove erythema and leukoderma sores lies in the principle that all painful, itching sores belong to Heart Fire. When charred/blackened, it specifically drains Fire from the San Jiao and Fire within masses, most effectively clearing blood heat in the Stomach channel. Its twisting downward path descends Fire, which is then excreted via urination. Zhang Zhongjing treated deficiency vexilation and insomnia after sweating, vomiting, or purging in Cold Damage diseases, with mental restlessness (Ao Nao), using Zhi Zi Chi Tang (Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction). Because of deficiency, Da Huang was not used; this addresses endogenous deficiency heat arising from loss of blood and fluids, which cannot be removed otherwise. For treating jaundice with fever, Zhi Zi Bai Pi Tang (Gardenia, Phellodendron Bark, and Licorice Decoction) is used. For jaundice with abdominal fullness and difficult urination, Yin Chen Hao Tang plus Zhi Zi and Da Huang is used, leveraging the promotion of bowel and bladder movements to eliminate damp-heat. Ancient formulas often used Zhi Zi to treat heart pain, designed for conditions where Fire qi rebels upward and Qi fails to descend. Modern practitioners blindly follow Zhu Danxi's theories, using it indiscriminately regardless of cold or heat patterns; how can patients with deficiency-cold tolerate it? Extreme bitterness and cold damage Stomach Qi, risking reduced appetite and diarrhea. Thus, Zhang Zhongjing stated that patients with chronic loose stools should not receive it. People often use it to treat bleeding, unaware that cold congeals blood, leading to disastrous outcomes. For hematemesis due to excess Fire, regulating Qi is paramount; when Qi moves, blood returns to its vessels. For hematemesis due to deficiency Fire, nourishing Righteous Qi is primary; when Qi is strong, it controls blood. These are the major principles of treatment, which must not be violated.