Library

(Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade)
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, slightly cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Mainly treats blood stasis (Blood Stasis), qi of fright (Qi of Fright), eliminates chills and fever, tonifies the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), and benefits Lung Qi (Lung Qi).
[Verification] It is said: Grows in sandy areas of Zizhou, Qizhou, Luzhou, Suizhou, Jiangzhou, Huaizhou, Jingzhou, and Huzhou. Seedlings emerge in February, initially resembling small hibiscus leaves, round, flat, and not smooth. In August and September, stems shoot up; the leaves at the stem tips are long and pointed, resembling Lycium barbarum (Goji berry) leaves, with fine serrations on the edges. Small five-petaled flowers bloom between the leaves, purple in color, bell-shaped like bells. The fruit resembles Ilex cornuta (Holly), containing fine seeds inside. After frost, the aerial parts wither; the root is about one chi long. If grown in yellow soil, the root is shorter and smaller. Both root and stem exude a white milky juice, hence also named Yangru (Sheep's Milk) and Yangponai (Sheep Mother's Milk). When dried, the root resembles Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), yellow inside and white outside. What is commonly used in the world today is mostly counterfeit, of unknown origin, and eating it actually damages Lung Qi (Lung Qi). It is incompatible with Stephania Tetrandra (Fangji) and opposes Veratrum nigrum (Lilu).
My late father said: White in color and containing milk, it is a medicine for the fluid essence of Metal of the Lung (Lung Metal). Thus, it is known that Mother-of-Two-Seasons (Zhimu) takes its bitter heart name.
[Commentary] It is said: Joyfully growing in sandy deserts, its qi is dispersing; originally maturing in autumn, its nature is pure. It accommodates the peaceful metal command (Autumnal肃杀 Qi), transforming heat and agitation into clarity and solemnity. Therefore, it can eliminate lung diseases caused by heat injuring the Qi level, leading to shivering chills and fevers, and where the Zhen Qi (True Qi) of the viscera fails to function, causing disharmony of Ying and Wei (Defensive and Nutritive Qi) and Yin and Yang, resulting in stagnant Qi and unmoistened Blood (Blood), as well as rebellious Qi of fright that cannot descend. Its efficacy is quite swift.

(Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade)
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Mainly treats Bi syndrome (Bi Syndrome) due to wind-cold-dampness, necrotic muscle, spasms, and jaundice; stops sweating; clears heat and aids digestion; made into decoctions or pills. Long-term use lightens the body, extends life, and prevents hunger.
[Verification] It is said: Those from Mount Song and Mount Mao are of good quality. Hangzhou, Yuezhou, Shuzhou, and Xuanzhou also produce it. Only those from Huzhou and Jinshan are best, mostly growing on high ridges. Leaves are rather large, opposite each other. Stems are square and hairy, with flowers at the tips, colored purple, green, or red. Roots branch out; large, purple chunks are superior. Some are as large as fingers or fists, others weighing several jin. Sliced and sun-dried, they are called Pianzhu. The commentary on Erya states: Those growing in mountains are called Shanji and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma). Those growing on flat land are called Ji and Chizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma). Chizhu has seedlings two to three chi high, leaves embracing the stem, upper leaves resembling Pyrus betulaefolia (Pear) leaves, lower leaves with lobes, 3-5 divisions, edges serrated with small thorns. Roots resemble human fingers or old ginger, blackish-brown, with a pungent and strong aroma. Ancients did not distinguish between red and white Zhu; since the Song Dynasty, Chizhu was referred to as Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma). However, their flavors differ in mildness and intensity, so treatments vary in speed and yin-yang nature. To process Baizhu, moisten it with human milk to restrain its nature. This also facilitates entry into the Yangming channel, as Yangming Dry Metal treats Taoyin Damp Transformation from within. If treating Spleen diseases, first soak thoroughly in rice wash water, then steam nine times mixed with mountain yellow earth, and dry nine times, borrowing Earth Qi to assist Spleen Qi, and to promote the stomach's fermentation and distribution functions. Chizhu is also soaked in rice wash water, then immersed for one to two days in water from old wall earth, taken out, peeled, dried, and sliced. For every four liang of Zhu, stir-fry with six liang of sesame seeds over low heat to moisten its dryness and缓和 its violence. Then stir-fry with four liang of rice bran husks over low heat to prevent moisture absorption and moldiness. Avoid peaches, plums, pine vegetables, sparrow meat, green fish, and clams.
My late father said: The character Zhu contains Wood, and many aliases contain Mountain. It acts on Spleen Earth, named Wood, named Liver. He also said: Necrotic muscle indicates Spleen body is not agile; Jaundice shows Spleen color externally; Limb spasms indicate Spleen function does not operate; Food stagnation means Spleen Qi does not rotate; Lack of hunger means Spleen Essence is self-consolidated.
[Commentary] It is said: Zhu derives from Wood. Observing leaves opposite each other, embracing the stem, it looks exactly like the character "Wood". Square stems, leaves attached to four sides, combining with Earth Qi flourishing in all four seasons, it should be judged as a Liver medicine for the Spleen. It can also be judged as a Father medicine for the Liver from the Spleen. Because Wood must be based on Earth, sucking and drawing liquid fluids, it can then flourish and generate. Thus, Wood is the mother, and Earth is the father. Bi syndrome formed by wind, cold, and dampness occurs because Wind attacks first, followed by Cold and Dampness. Wind is the leader of a hundred diseases. Bi syndrome causes blockage and obstruction, leading to necrotic muscle, spasms, and jaundice. Necrotic muscle is Earth's stubborn decay; Spasms are Earth's trembling; Jaundice is Earth's color appearing. Because Earth lacks divine usage, it suffers from food accumulation. Zhu acts on Earth's function, greatly strengthening Earth power. Those who leaked excessively have returned to the source; those who were loose will surely become secure. Thus, fire and heat instantly disappear, coolness arises, wind flows smoothly, fermentation and distribution occur, and Spleen Earth expands and relaxes.
(Since medicines have male/female, son/mother, brother relationships, it is fitting that Water extracts from Earth to form Grass and Trees, making Water the mother and Earth the father. Earth is the dike of Water. Those who know this understand that food relies on Wind Power for fermentation and distribution, which people do not know. One must understand that one Zang possesses the functions of five Zangs to grasp this truth.)