Library

(From *Tang Bencao*)
The Zhen hexagram symbolizes vigorous movement without disaster, illustrating its principle: acting with uprightness, even without frequent practice, brings no disadvantage.
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet and salty, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily used to break blood stasis. For postpartum abdominal distension due to blood accumulation, leading to suffocation and near-death state, boil five liang in water, take the concentrated decoction orally.
[Verification] It is said: Originates from Nanhai and Kunlun. The tree resembles the black locust (Qinghuai), the wood resembles Chi Jiang wood, and those with transverse grain resembling purple horn are called "Noblest among Woods," with efficacy a hundred times greater than ordinary herbs. Processing involves removing the rough bark and nodes, grinding into fine powder, mixing with mashed plum branches, steaming from Si hour to Shen hour, then drying in shade for use. When used for dyeing crimson, contact with ironware causes the color to darken and lose brightness.
My late father said: "Su" implies unblocking and smoothing; "Fang" implies immobility/stability. It possesses the talent of Jueyin Wind-Wood, unlike those that crumble and fall apart.
[Commentary] It is said: Reviving from death is "Su"; endowing form with regularity is "Fang"; the direction of the East is "Wood". Wood is distinguished by color, thus it should be classified under the Liver. It serves as a heart medicine for the Liver, and a Qi-moving medicine for the Liver's Blood aspect. The Liver governs color; green enters as the Liver's color, red enters as the Heart's color. The Liver stores Blood, while the Heart stores the Qi of the Blood vessels. Therefore, it treats various ailments within the Blood, such as suffocation and near-death states. Its function is to slaughter ghostly qi and revive human soul. One of its names, Tusu, derives from this.

(From *Tang Bencao*)
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, warm in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats sores, scabies, wind-jaundice, and childhood malnutrition (Gan syndrome). Drink the boiled juice; the roots and leaves of the Toosendan tree (Chubai) are particularly effective.
[Verification] It is said: Both Chun (Toona) and Chu (Melia) trees grow in the north and south, and their shapes are similar. However, Chun bark is fine, flesh is solid and red, and tender leaves are fragrant, sweet, and edible; Chu bark is coarse, flesh is loose and white, and stems/leaves are foul-smelling and inedible. In February and March, new leaves appear at the tree tips, tender red turning old green. Chun has flowers but no pods; Chu has pods but no flowers. Chun has straight trunks and branches; Chu is crooked and short. Zhuangzi described Chu as "its wood is knotty and unfit for carpentry lines, its branches twisted and unfit for compasses." In late autumn, when leaves fall, the shedding spots resemble tiger eyes. Chu has slight toxicity, whereas Chun leaves do not. For processing Chun root, specimens not facing west are considered superior. After harvesting, mix with raw green onions, steam for half a day, grind finely, store in the southeast corner of a cassia house, and dry in shade for use.
[Commentary] It is said: Chun and Chu are of the same species, differing in odor and form due to sexual dimorphism. Chu bearing pods is female (Pin); Chun lacking pods is male (Mu). Thus, Chun embodies the straightness of Wood nature, while Chu embodies the curvature of Wood nature. Curvature, straightness, prostration, and stooping reveal the complete nature of the Wood body. Initially distinguishing buds, those splitting straight are "Meng" (sprouting), those growing curved are "Gou" (curved). Once branches and trunks form, showing curvature, straightness, prostration, and stooping, the four limbs are complete. Straightness lacks prostration/stooping, while curvature includes both. Therefore, Chun wood is straight, concentrating essence in branches and leaves; Chu wood is curved, concentrating essence in roots and bark. Indeed, these are medicines corresponding to the physical nature of Liver-Wood. Chun benefits skin and hair, embodying the Liver's generating function as substance and flourishing appearance as application; Chu benefits blood, Qi, and yin orifices, embodying the Liver's storing of blood as substance and dredging/discharging as application. Internally, it stops intestinal wind, eliminates metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, moves stagnant dysentery, promotes urination in strangury, clears turbid discharge, calms the spirit, and gladdens the will. Externally, it cleanses sores, resolves macules and papules, dissolves carbuncles, beautifies complexion, and benefits all four limbs and bones, which needs no further explanation. Regarding childhood malnutrition, gu poison, corpse-transmitting ghost infiltration, and other diseases, it acts like spring bringing life to all things. Its ability to kill pathogenic qi is warm and pure like spring seeds. The utility of Chun and Chu is indeed extensive.