Library

**Zonglao (Areca Catkin)**
Bitter. Enters the Foot Jueyin Meridian (Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin). Its function is specifically to drain heat and astringe leakage. When taken with Cei Bai Ye (Platycladi Cacumen, 侧柏叶) and Juan Bai (Selaginellae Herba, 卷柏) that have been charred to retain their properties, it stops chronic hematochezia, as well as hematemesis, epistaxis, dysentery, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, and bleeding from intestinal wind. For any bleeding from the nine orifices or various types of bleeding caused by knife wounds and falls, applying the ash topically stops the bleeding immediately. Only aged, old Zonglao is effective. It works best when used together with Hair Ash (Fa Hui, 发灰).

**Huajiao (Sichuan Pepper)**
Bitter and sweet. Enters the Hand Shaoyin (Heart), Hand Taiyin (Lung), Foot Shaoyin (Kidney), Foot Taiyin (Spleen), and Foot Jueyin (Liver) meridians. Its function is specifically to clear the Heart and Lungs, and cleanse the stomach and intestines. Combined with Gan Ju (Chrysanthemi Flos, 甘菊), it treats headaches. Combined with Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 生姜), it treats dysentery due to water retention. Drinking it after alcohol consumption guides its action into the Bladder and Kidney meridians. Patients with zhama (masses), hernia, or edema should avoid taking it on an empty stomach. Aged, fine grains are preferred.

**Bichengqie (Piper Kadsura Fruit)**
Pungent and bitter. Enters the Foot Taiyin (Spleen), Foot Yangming (Stomach), and Foot Jueyin (Liver) meridians. Its function is specifically to warm the middle jiao and direct rebellious qi downward. Combined with Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, 干姜), it treats acid regurgitation. Combined with Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma, 黄连) and Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 白芍), it treats bloody and non-bloody dysentery. Combined with Fu Ling (Poria, 茯苓), it treats phlegm-fluid retention. However, it damages healthy qi and generates fire, causing blurred vision and sores. It should not be used unless the condition involves cold stagnation with dampness. Even in cases of cold-dampness, it should be used sparingly. Opened, aged specimens are preferred. Soak in boiling water to remove the bitter juice. To stop vomiting, stir-fry with Huang Lian decoction; to treat hernia, stir-fry with salt water; to treat bleeding, stir-fry with vinegar. It is incompatible with Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 丹参) and Xiaoshi (Natrii Sulfas, 硝石). It fears Zi Shiying (Fluorite, 紫石英).

**Hujiao (Pepper)**
Pungent. Enters the Foot Taiyin (Spleen) and Foot Yangming (Stomach) meridians. Its function is specifically to treat cold pain in the heart and abdomen, and tuberculosis-like wasting diseases (Chuanshi Laozhu, 传尸劳疰). Combined with Dihuang Juice (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata juice, 地黄汁), it nourishes true yuan. Combined with Bai Fu Ling (Poria, 白茯苓), it tonifies the Heart and Kidneys. Combined with Wu Mei (Mume Fructus, 乌梅), it treats roundworms. Persons with yin deficiency and hyperactive fire should avoid it. Closed pods are toxic and can cause death; they must be removed. Lightly stir-fry to remove surface moisture ("sweat"). Pound to remove the yellow inner shell, using only the red part, known as Jiaohong (Pepper Red, 椒红). It works well with salt. Apricot Kernel (Xingren, 杏仁) acts as a guide. It fears Xionghuang (Realgar, 雄黄), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata, 附子), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 防风), Kuandonghua (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus, 款冬), and Hemp Seed soaked in cool water (Liangshui Rensheng, 凉水麻仁). If poisoned by it, use the slurry of hemp seeds soaked in cool water to detoxify. Also known as Chuanjiao. Produced in Qin region, commonly called Huajiao. The fruit is slightly larger. The seed is called Jiaomu (Pepper Seed, 椒目), pungent with slight toxicity. It specifically promotes water metabolism but does not affect grain digestion. It eliminates ascites (Shuigu, 水蛊), reduces distension, calms wheezing, and treats tinnitus due to Kidney deficiency. The root is pungent and hot; decocted for washing, it kills parasites and treats foot rot (Xianggangjiao, 香港脚) and damp sores.

**Bichengqie (Piper Kadsura Fruit - continued)**
Pungent, very hot, and toxic. Enters the Foot Taiyin (Spleen) and Foot Yangming (Stomach) meridians. Its function is specifically to treat cold qi in the Bladder. Combined with Baidoukou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus, 白豆蔻), it treats dysphagia and inability to retain food. Combined with Gaoliangjiang (Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma, 高良姜), it treats cold hiccups. Combined with Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, 薄荷) and Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica, 荆芥), it treats nasal congestion. Mixed with Bibo (Long Pepper Fruit, 荜茇) into powder and applied to teeth, it treats floating gums and heat-induced toothache. If bitten by a centipede, chewing and applying Bichengqie heals the wound. Bichengqie is essentially the larger variety of pepper. They belong to the same category but are two different species. Pepper kills toxins from fish, meat, turtles, and mushrooms; it is suitable as a culinary spice. However, excessive consumption damages the lungs and causes sores.