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Moisten dryness, drain qi, break blood stasis.
Pungent, bitter, and sweet in flavor. Enters the Qi aspect of the Spleen meridian. Its nature is descending; it directs qi downward, promotes water metabolism, breaks blood stasis, and moistens dryness.
Indicated for edema, urgent difficulty in urination (Lingji), stagnation of qi in the Large Intestine, and Guan Ge syndrome (a critical condition characterized by simultaneous obstruction of vomiting and defecation). When administered with wine, it enters the Gallbladder meridian to treat palpitations and insomnia with eyes open (A woman fell ill due to extreme fear; after recovery, her eyes remained open and could not close. Qian Yi stated: The visual system internally connects to the Liver and Gallbladder. Fear causes qi stagnation, leading to rebellious Gallbladder qi that fails to descend. Durian plum kernel [Yuli Ren], being moist, can dissipate stagnation. Accompanied by wine entering the Gallbladder, the stagnation is resolved, Gallbladder qi descends, and the eyes close). However, this is a symptomatic treatment; excessive consumption may deplete body fluids.
Remove the peel and tips, soak in honey, and grind.

Astringe essence, consolidate intestines.
Sour and astringent in flavor. Enters the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians. It consolidates essence and secures primordial qi.
Indicated for nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea (combined with Euryale Seed [Qianshi] to form pills, named Shuilu Dan), diarrhea, dysentery, and frequent stools (Zhu Danxi stated: Meridians and collaterals are in a state of peace when unobstructed. Ignorant people mistakenly believe that astringency is beneficial and consume boiled pastes, causing internal unrest. Who bears the responsibility? Li Shizhen stated: Consuming these without cause to indulge desires is inadvisable. However, if taken by those with insecure essence and qi, what harm would there be?).
Resembles a pomegranate but smaller, yellowish-red with thorns. Harvest when half-ripe (fully ripe ones become purely sweet), remove thorns and seeds for use. Boiling into a paste is also effective (Bi Tan records: Once boiled into a paste, it becomes sweet, completely losing its astringent flavor).

Astringe intestines, astringe lungs, drain qi.
Bitter flavor drains qi and eliminates phlegm; sour flavor astringes the lungs and descends fire (Li Dongyuan stated: The Lung dislikes upward rebellion of qi; urgently administer bitter substances to drain it, and sour substances to tonify it. Hezi has heavy bitter properties that primarily drain qi, while its light sour property is insufficient to tonify the Lung; therefore, it is not used in cough remedies). Astringent flavor stops collapse and diarrhea; warm nature opens the stomach and regulates the middle jiao.
Indicated for abdominal distension due to cold qi, regurgitation and vomiting due to diaphragmatic qi stagnation, and cough with phlegm and asthma (The Lung harbors phlegm and fluid or is injured by fire, so bitter and sour astringents are suitable); prolapse of the rectum due to diarrhea/dysentery, wind in the intestines, metrorrhagia, and leukorrhea (all utilizing their sour-astringent properties); voice restoration and thirst relief (When Lung qi is astringed, voice clears; when fire descends, thirst ceases. Ancient formulas include Hezi Qingyin Tang).
However, since bitter flavor predominates over sour, although it astringes the intestines, it drains qi. It is contraindicated for patients with qi deficiency and those in the early stages of cough or dysentery (Combined with Mume Fructus [Wumei] and Myrobalan [Beizi], it enhances astringency; combined with Tangerine Peel [Chenpi] and Magnolia Bark [Houpo], it directs qi downward. Combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma [Renshen], it treats cold cough due to Lung deficiency; combined with Chenpi and Amomum Fruit [Sharen], it treats abdominal distension due to cold qi. Assisted by Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome [Baizhu] and Lotus Seed [Lianzi], it treats chronic diarrhea due to deficiency-cold; assisted by Bignay Bark [Chupi], it treats dysentery with bloody stool. Combined with Cnidium Fruit [Shechuangzi], Schisandra Berry [Wuweizi], Cornus Fruit [Shanzhuyu], Dipsacus Root [Xuduan], and Eucommia Bark [Duzhong], it treats leukorrhea due to deficiency-cold].
Imported via foreign merchant ships; the foreign name is Haritaki. Also found in the Lingnan region. Those with six ridges, black color, and thick flesh are superior. Steam with wine for one double-hour (approx. 2 hours), remove seeds, and use the flesh. If using the flesh, seeds must be removed. Raw usage clears Metal and moves qi; roasted usage warms the Stomach and consolidates the intestines (Sea fish secrete mucus that solidifies and makes them slippery, preventing boats from moving; adding Hezi decoction dissolves them into water, demonstrating its phlegm-resolving efficacy).