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[Shangpin of the Classic of Materia Medica]
[Taste and Nature] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats palpitations due to fright, tonifies Qi, dispels wind-dampness bi-syndrome, and calms the Five Zang organs. Long-term consumption makes one plump with lustrous complexion, sharpens hearing and vision, prevents hunger and aging, lightens the body, and prolongs life.
[Analysis] It is said: Cypresses grow everywhere, but those from Mount Tai, Shanzhou, Yizhou, and Qianling are superior. They remain evergreen in all four seasons, leaves grow on the sides, and branches all face west. There are three types. One is Congbai (Cluster Cypress), with dense, overlapping foliage and branches, now called "Thousand-Head Cypress"; one is Hunbai (Round Cypress), with solitary, dense leaves, purple-red heartwood, used only for incense, bearing no seeds, and not suitable for medicinal use; one is Bianbai (Flat Cypress), with slightly white heartwood, clear and pungent fragrance, small flowers, and angular fruits that split into four, releasing seeds with small shells. Harvested after frost, the kernels are yellowish-white and rich in oily juice. Those from Qianling have swirling grain patterns resembling figures or animals, visually striking. For processing, steam until cooked, remove shells, pound into cakes, dry in the sun, and store.
My late father said: All trees turn towards the sun, but cypress turns west. This is to comply with the control of Metal to exert its function, thereby achieving steadfastness and longevity; hence the character contains "Bai" (White). The trunk, branches, leaves, and fruits have different uses. The fruit possesses the whole form and contains inner beauty, thus entering the Five Zang. Leaves resemble meridians, thus treating unsteady collaterals that ulcerate and vessels that fail to contain blood leading to hemorrhage. Branches have double the Qi of leaves, thus entering limbs and joints. Trunks have fiercer Qi than branches, thus governing the whole body. *Shenghui Fang* uses Cypri Semen to treat epilepsy due to fright and stools that are greenish-white. This is because Liver Wood is controlled; when angry, it overacts upon what it conquers (Spleen Earth), causing green and white colors to appear in stool, and fright originates from the viscera. Without the fruit's controlling action, what would be appropriate?
[Commentary] Cypresses are fragrant, noble, and colorful. Even if they grow straight up towards heaven, who can forbid them? Yet they bow westward to obey the controlling Heaven, which can be called the highest virtue. As giant trees, they serve as pillars of the state. No wonder the Yin people planted cypresses; did they foresee the later generations' westward orientation? The taste is sweet and pleasant, nature is peaceful. It addresses the loss of control over Liver Wood, manifesting as fright, terror, and palpitations. Its texture is solid, Qi is smooth and unobstructed, driving out wind-dampness that forms bi-syndrome. Virtue nourishes the body, calming the Zang organs and delighting in the Dao, resulting in acute hearing and vision, lustrous complexion, and longevity.
(*Shan Shu* states: Among 360 plant species, Pines and Cypresses are the elders. *Records of the Grand Historian* states: Pines and Cypresses are the leaders of all trees, guarding the palace gates. *Gongyang Zhuan Commentary* states: Pine resembles "Rong" (containment/appearance); one imagines its appearance to serve it. Cypress resembles "Po" (approach); taking the meaning of closeness without distance. Thus, altars and tombs often plant them. *Pi Ya* states: Cypress resembles "Ju" (cupping/handful). Nature is hard and fine, oily and fragrant, so ancients split it to make Changji mortars for pounding Yu (Curcuma). *Za Ji* states: Changji mortars are made of Ju (Cypress), pestles of Wu (Wutong tree). *Guang Zhi* states: Cypress has Xu Bai (Continuing Cypress) and Zhi Bai (Juicy Cypress). Cui Shi states: Collect Cypri Semen in the seventh month. *Biographies of Divine Immortals* states: Chisongzi liked eating Cypri Semen, and fallen teeth grew back again. Wang Xiu's Ode states: Standing apart from the crowd, upright and true; not just fragrant in spring, but flourishing after frost. Fierce winds cannot break its branches, heavy snow cannot change its nature. *Book of Songs* states: That floating Cypress boat, in the middle of the stream. Meaning: Cypress is not unfit for boats, but unsuitable for making Cypress boats. Thus Jiang Shouyi quotes this to describe his own adherence to righteousness. People say Cypress pointing west is like a magnet pointing south. My late father said: Cypress contains "Bai", implying the image of accepting control for use, using Metal to restrain the Soul of Wood?)