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Bamboo Sap (Zhuli)
It can expel phlegm and clear heat. It thoroughly searches out and removes phlegm from the subcutaneous tissue and intermuscular spaces, traversing everywhere. It is used to treat apoplexy with hemiplegia and paralysis of one side of the body; its medicinal action reaches all meridians and limbs. Because it is sweet, cold, slippery, and unblocking,
it must be mixed and taken with Ginger Juice. (Bamboo Sap is sweet, cold, slippery, and unblocking. It enters the Stomach Fu organ and reaches the Large Intestine. Its main function is to clear heat and expel phlegm. Since it is the fluid essence within bamboo,
for any stagnation of phlegm-heat in the meridians, limbs, subcutaneous tissue, and intermuscular spaces, only this substance can penetrate and circulate. In all sudden cases of stroke and similar syndromes, there are phlegm and saliva retained in the meridians,
which should all be administered in combination with Ginger Juice. This not only uses the ginger's warmth to counteract the bamboo sap's coldness, but also because Ginger Juice has the merit of opening phlegm obstruction and dispersing pathogens. One opens and one descends, assisting each other.)

Heavenly Bamboo Slurry (Tianzhuhuang)
Sweet and cold, it can clear heat and expel phlegm, and is effective in calming the Heart Spirit. Palpitations and epilepsy caused by wind pathogenic factors disturbing the mind are treated effectively, and it has much merit in purifying the Lung Qi. (Heavenly Bamboo Slurry is formed from the fatty membrane inside large bamboos
condensing into yellow flakes over a long period. What is sold in pharmacies today often resembles stone blocks, which is likely incorrect. It is sweet and cool, travels upward to enter the Heart and Lungs, clears heat, and expels phlegm. Although its nature, flavor, and functions are similar to Bamboo Sap,
it cannot search out phlegm in the meridians and membranes, nor does it have a slippery or moistening property. Its unique strength lies solely in calming the Heart Spirit and stabilizing fright. Therefore, it is frequently used in formulas for pediatric palpitations and epilepsy. The intent in treating wind disorders is similar to that of Bamboo Sap.)

Light Bamboo Leaf (Dan Zhuye)
Sweet, bland, and slightly cold. It causes the fire and evil pathogens of the Heart and Lungs to descend. Being light and floating, it ascends and dissipates damp-heat of the Taiyang channel. (Light Bamboo Leaf is sweet, bland, and cold in nature. It is a product that is light, floating, and ascending. It resolves wind-heat in the Upper Jiao, clears Heart Fire and pulmonary steaming heat, and guides damp-heat from the Small Intestine and Bladder downward. It clears the upper and guides the lower, capable of ascending and descending; it is Yin within Yang.)

(Li Shizhen said: Fruits are the seeds of trees. Luo [gourd-like fruits] are the seeds of herbs. When ripe, they can be eaten; when dried, they can be made into preserved fruits. Whether abundant or scarce, they can supplement seasonal shortages,
and during illness and suffering, they can serve as prepared medicines. They assist grain foods to nourish the people's livelihood. Therefore, ancient divination texts suggest that to know whether the harvest of the five grains will be good or bad, one need only observe the prosperity or decline of the five fruits. The *Rites of Zhou* (*Zhou Li*) in the Office of the Land Surveyor distinguishes the products of five types of land and stores them according to the seasons. Observing this, it is evident that the local specialties of fruits and Luo differ, and their natures, flavors, virtues, and toxicities vary. How can one indulge desires without understanding the principles of things?)