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Phlegm-dryness, externally used to treat sores.
Acrid, hot, and toxic. Extracting its oil to treat sores, tinea, scabies, and leprosy has the effect of killing parasites and purging toxins (Zhu Danxi said: Unskilled physicians treating leprosy assist with大风子 oil [Dafengzi Oil], not realizing that this substance is hot in nature; while it has the merit of drying phlegm, it damages blood, leading to cases where patients lose their sight before the disease is cured). It originates from the Southern Barbarian regions (Nanyang). The seeds contain kernels that are white; if kept for a long time, the oil turns yellow and becomes unusable. When preparing pills, press out the oil.

To unblock meridians, lubricate phlegm, and purge heat.
Sweet and neutral. Eliminates wind-heat, transforms phlegm-saliva, opens meridians, and promotes the circulation of qi and blood. Treats aphonia due to stroke, convulsive epilepsy with phlegm confusion, dizziness, irritability, thirst (Xiaoke), and dysentery with heat. It is an excellent herb for dispelling wind and transforming phlegm. Contraindicated for those with qi deficiency and poor appetite (The *Yannian Milu* states: For heat patterns, use Bamboo Sap [Zhuli] more; for cold patterns, use Vitex Sap [Jingli] more. Zhu Danxi said: Use Bamboo Sap for deficient phlegm, and Vitex Sap for excess phlegm; both should be taken with Ginger Juice to prevent stagnation).
Vitex negundo (Mojing), commonly known as Huangjing, is cut into pieces about one chi long, placed on bricks, roasted with fire in the middle, and the juice is collected from both ends for use.

To purge fire, lubricate phlegm, and moisten dryness.
Sweet, cold, and slippery. Dissipates wind and descends fire, moistens dryness and moves phlegm, nourishes blood and benefits yin (Bamboo having sap is like humans having blood; thus, it can tonify yin and clear fire). Benefits orifices and brightens the eyes.
Treats lockjaw due to stroke, severe heat with phlegm confusing the mind, wind spasms, mania, and irritability. (The *Chanru* formula states: Pregnancy complicated by irritability is called "Zifan"; Bamboo Sap [Zhuli] should be taken in small amounts regardless of quantity. Master Mei's formula adds Poria [Fuling] and decocts it) Treats thirst (Xiaoke) and spontaneous sweating due to blood deficiency. However, it should not be taken by those with cold stomach, loose bowels, or damp-cold constitution (The *Jingshu* states: This is a key herb for treating stroke. All strokes arise from yin deficiency with hyperactive fire and phlegm-heat congestion; if it were merely external wind pathogen, how could such a cold and slippery herb be used! Zhu Danxi said: For phlegm located in meridians, limbs, under the skin, or outside membranes, nothing else can reach these areas except this herb. He also said: Its sweet taste and mild nature allow it to eliminate severe heat caused by yin deficiency. Although cold, it has tonifying properties; it does not hinder deficiency postpartum, nor does it harm the fetus prenatally. People discard it because of the words "greatly cold" in materia medica texts, yet no one gets sick from the cold after eating bamboo shoots throughout their life. The sap is simply the liquid of the shoot, formed with the aid of fire; why is it so cold? Treatment methods state: Cooking Bamboo Sap [Zhuli] with rice to make porridge can treat regurgitation). There are many types of bamboo; Danshu (Light Bamboo) has thin flesh, powder between nodes, abundant juice, and sweet taste, making it the best; another type is hard with close nodes and white frost-like skin; Kuzhu (Bitter Bamboo) has thick stems, large leaves, and bitter-tasting shoots. Only these three types are used in medicine, with roughly similar functions. Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings) is obtained by scraping the green skin. Zhuli (Bamboo Sap) is extracted using the same method as Jingli. Ginger Juice is used as a guiding herb (Ginger eliminates phlegm and balances the coldness).
Bamboo shoots tips induce chickenpox (Not recorded in *Bencao*. Wang Ang notes: Eating too many bamboo shoots and ferns can damage blood, hence the nickname for bamboo shoots as "intestine-scraping comb." However, there is no harm when boiled with meat).