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Zi Bai Pi (Catalpa Bark): Bitter, cold, non-toxic. Use the root, removing the outer black bark.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records its use for treating heat toxins and expelling three types of intestinal parasites.
[Invention] Zi Bai Pi is bitter and cold; it can clear and drain damp-heat from the Taiyang (Greater Yang) and Yangming (Yang Brightness) meridians. Zhang Zhongjing used it in Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Tang (Ephedra, Forsythia, and Red Bean Decoction). For cases where a warm disease is complicated by cold damage, leading to cold fluid retention in the stomach, boiling the juice and drinking it treats this condition. This utilizes its ability to guide cold fluids and damp pathogens downward for excretion.

Wu Tong Zi (Wutong Seed): Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states it primarily treats evil erosion yin sores (ulcerative lesions of the external genitalia) and five types of hemorrhoids, killing parasites.
[Invention] Wutong trees and Tong trees are originally two different species. Wutong seeds resemble peppercorns in shape; they are hot in nature and aid fire, so those with coughing and excessive phlegm should not consume them. Wutong leaves reduce swelling and toxic heat, and promote hair growth. *Shennong Bencao Jing* treats evil erosion yin sores. *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Emergency Prescriptions Kept Up the Sleeve) treats alopecia (hair loss) where hair does not regrow. *Yilin Zhengzong* records treatment for carbuncles and sores on the back (large as a plate), foul-smelling and rotting, unapproachable due to odor; using Wutong leaves steamed with vinegar and applied topically reduces heat and pain, gradually promoting flesh regeneration and wound closure. Wutong bark decoction treats pediatric erysipelas and malignant sores. *Shennong Bencao Jing* treats five types of hemorrhoids and kills parasites; currently, people boil the soup for fumigation and washing to treat intestinal hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse, which corresponds to the treatment of five hemorrhoids in *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Soaking the seeds in water and applying to beard and hair makes them black and lustrous, but overuse causes yellowing or reddening, verifying their fire-augmenting property.

Tong Zi (Tong Seed): Pungent, cold, toxic.
[Invention] Tong seeds are not used as food but specifically for oil extraction. They resemble poppy capsules; when ground and applied, they treat scabies, tinea, toxic swellings. To induce vomiting for wind-phlegm and throat obstruction (bi syndrome), mix Tong oil with water and sweep into the throat to induce emesis. If accidentally ingested causing vomiting, drinking wine resolves the toxicity.

Ci Tong (Thorn Acacia / Haiteng Pi): Also known as Ci Tong. Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
[Invention] Haiteng Pi (Holt's Oak Bark) can circulate through meridians and reach the site of disease. It treats wind-dampness causing immobility of the waist and legs, stubborn blood vessel bi-syndrome, leg and knee pain, dysentery (red and white), and expels wind and kills parasites. For toothache caused by wind-calcium decay, decoct the soup for rinsing. For malnutrition-related ulcers and tinea, grind into juice for topical application. For red eyes and corneal opacity, soak in water for washing. This drug specializes in dispelling wind-dampness; combine with other herbs according to the syndrome for internal administration. Do not use if there is no wind-dampness.

Chuan Lian Shi (Toosendan Fruit / Jinlingzi): Also known as Jinlingzi; attached note mentions Kutera Root. Bitter, cold, slightly toxic. Soak in wine, steam until soft, remove skin and seeds, take the pure flesh, roll into cakes, and dry by baking.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records it primarily treats high fever, irritability, and mania caused by warm diseases and cold damage; kills parasites and treats scabies; promotes urination via the water pathways.
[Invention] Chuan Lian Zi is bitter and cold with a descending nature; it can guide damp-heat downward through the渗道 (damp-draining pathways). People only know its efficacy in treating hernia, but do not know its function in clearing heat and relieving pain. *Shennong Bencao Jing* treats warm disease irritability and mania, utilizing its ability to guide fire toxins downward for excretion, thereby resolving confusion and irritability. The mention of "cold damage" following "warm disease" indicates that warm diseases originate from latent pathogens in winter and emerge in spring with yang qi, thus requiring bitter-cold herbs to descend and drain. Its effects of killing parasites and promoting urination generally rely on the principle that bitterness transforms heat. The ancient formula Jinling Zi San treats pain caused by heart-pericardium fire stagnation; it is also suitable for postpartum blood stasis causing heart pain, as Jinling Zi can descend rebellious fire. Yanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizome) dissipates congealed blood, surpassing Shixiao San (Fail-to-Smile Powder) in efficacy, without the risk of damaging the middle jiao with fishy/foul odors. Previously, people considered Chuan Lian Zi a specific drug for hernia abdominal pain, parasite expulsion, and diuresis. However, many cases fail because practitioners do not realize that Chuan Lian Zi treats hernias characterized by cysts, penile rigidity, numbness, and pain due to damp-heat, rather than cold hernias characterized by pain radiating to the abdomen, cold limbs, vomiting, and salivation. Although this view exceeds previous generations, it has not yet reached the profound mystery of supreme treatment. In fact, hernias and masses often result from cold binding heat pathogens, frequently causing pulling pain. It is necessary to combine the bitter-cold nature of Chuan Lian Zi with the pungent-hot nature of Huixiang (Fennel) to resolve these complex pathogens. One must also observe whether the pain radiates upward from below; if so, the remedy acts immediately. If the pain radiates downward from above, the method should be pungent-warm to dissipate nodules, and bitter-cold is not suitable. This applies to all pains, not just hernias and masses. Recently, a patient suffered from continuous bleeding from receding gums (ya xuan), unresponsive to various treatments. Someone suggested grinding Lian Shi finely, wrapping it in cotton, and inserting it into the gum pockets, which stopped the bleeding immediately. Upon reflection, how could an external treatment instantly affect internal bleeding? Placing a small amount on the tongue, the bitterness penetrated all gum tissues; given the gaps and leaks, how could it not penetrate the meridians? Kutera root treats gu poison (parasitic infection); decocting and drinking it induces immediate vomiting. It also kills parasites and treats malaria. Burning its flowers produces smoke that repels mosquitoes and flies, verifying the parasite-killing effect recorded in *Shennong Bencao Jing*.