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The flavor is pungent and neutral, and it is toxic. It treats malaria, as well as cough with reverse flow of Qi, alternating chills and fever, hard masses and epigastric fullness in the abdomen, accumulated pathogenic factors, gu poison (a type of highly contagious disease), and gui zhu (a term for certain infectious diseases).
(The stem of Changshan (Dichroa Radix) is called Shuqi, and its efficacy is also equivalent to that of Changshan.)
Shuqi can unblock the Qi mechanism between Metal (Lung) and Water (Kidney), thereby rescuing from Qi reversal caused by fire therapy errors. It can also stimulate the Yang of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) channel to assist in recovering from depleted Yang; thus, it is a herb that transitions from Yin to Yang.
Therefore, *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders), Taiyang Chapter, states: "In cold damage, if the pulse is floating, and the physician uses fire methods to force sweating and deplete fluids, leading to depletion of Yang, there will inevitably be palpitations, mania, restlessness, and inability to lie still or sit comfortably. This should be treated with Guizhi Qu Shaoyao Jia Shuqi Muli Longgu Jiuni Decoction." Additionally, *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) states: "When malaria presents with predominant chills, it is named Pinmalaria (Yin Malaria). It should be treated with Shuqi San." Li Shizhen said: "Changshan and Shuqi have the merit of resolving phlegm and arresting malaria attacks. They must be used appropriately only after releasing exterior pathogens and drawing the pathogen out to the Yang level. When used correctly, miraculous effects are seen immediately. If used improperly, the True Qi will inevitably be damaged."
I believe: Malaria is a latent pathogen. Some remain between the Zang-Fu organs and the Mu-Yuan (sea of origin), becoming Sanyin Malaria; some hide in the Kidney, becoming Wenmalaria (Warm Malaria) characterized by fever preceding chills; some stagnate in the Heart, becoming Danmalaria (Malaria with Heat Only) characterized by fever without chills. Changshan primarily unblocks the Qi mechanism of Shaoyin and Taiyang, transitioning from Yin to Yang, allowing pathogens to exit along with the Qi. This is what is meant by "when there is a pathology, the pathology receives the treatment, and there is no injury [to healthy tissue]." If the pathogen has already been drawn out to the Yang level, but one instead uses purgative or draining agents, would this not be an unwarranted injury to the Righteous Qi? Li Shizhen spent decades of painstaking effort to complete *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), yet some of his interpretations and discussions do not align with the principles of the classics. This is because he excelled in compilation and collection but lacked sufficient deep contemplation and investigation.

The flavor is pungent and cold, and it is non-toxic. It treats zhizheng (masses and accumulations), qi stagnation, cold-heat disorders arising from diet, breaking hardness, expelling pathogens, and promoting the free flow of water passages.
(Shili Zi (Descurainiae Semen seu Lepidii Semen) originally grew in the plains and fields near the capital. It was also found in regions east of Bian, Shaanxi, and Hebei prefectures. Recently, those from Pengcheng and Caozhou are considered superior. In early spring, seedlings emerge, growing six or seven cun high, with leaves resembling those of Shepherd's Purse (Shepherdia canadensis/Brassica rapa var. parachinensis), hence *Bie Lu* (Newly Added Materia Medica) calls it Gouqi (Dog Mustard). The root is white, branches and stems are green. Flowers bloom in March, pale yellow. Pods form, flat and small, slightly longer than millet seeds, also yellow. *Yueling* (Monthly Ordinances) states: "In the first month of early summer, mi grass dies." Xu Shen and Zheng Xuan's annotations both state: Mi grass, Gouqi, and Shili belong to this category.)
The flowers and fruits of Shili Zi are yellow, and the root is white with a pungent taste. This indicates it inherits the Qi transformation of Earth and Metal. Inheriting Metal Qi, it treats qi stagnation caused by zhizheng and accumulations. Inheriting Earth Qi, it treats cold-heat conditions due to dietary irregularities. Breaking hardness and expelling pathogens is due to abundant Metal Qi. Promoting the free flow of water passages is due to abundant Earth Qi.
(Li Gao stated: *Bencao Shi Ji* (Ten Categories of Materia Medica) says: "Draining methods can remove obstruction. Shili Zi and Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) are two herbs that are greatly bitter and cold. One drains blood obstruction, the other has a strong flavor, comparable to Dahuang, and its nature is more intense than other herbs. It drains obstructions in the Lung within the Yang level and can also promote bowel movements, because its texture is light and corresponds to Yang." *Bie Lu* states: "Long-term use causes deficiency." Zhu Danxi argued: "Shili Zi belongs to Fire in nature and is urgent in action; it effectively eliminates water retention. Patients who are deficient should avoid it. Moreover, it can cause death. Why must one take it for a long time to become deficient?" Li Shizhen said: "Shili Zi comes in sweet and bitter varieties, just as Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitis Seed) comes in black and white varieties, differing in urgency and slowness. Similarly, like gourds having sweet and bitter tastes, their safety and toxicity differ. Generally, sweet Shili Zi has a mild draining nature; although it drains the Lung, it does not injure the Stomach. Bitter Shili Zi has an urgent draining nature; it drains the Lung and simultaneously injures the Stomach. Therefore, ancient formulas often use Da Zao (Jujube Fruit) to assist it. If there is excess water-Qi in the Lung causing fullness and urgency, it must be removed to stop the condition. One should not overdose, nor take it for a long time. How could it cause death under these circumstances?" *Huainanzi* states: "Daji (Euphorbia Root) removes edema; Shili Zi cures distension. If used without moderation, it will cause illness. This depends entirely on whether usage is moderated or not.")