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Corylopsis Fructus (Chushizi), sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Kidney and Liver meridians. It can strengthen impotence, reduce edema, plump the skin and flesh, assist the waist and knees, boost qi and strength, tonify deficiency and exhaustion, beautify complexion, lighten the body, strengthen sinews and bones, improve vision, and long-term use may cause loose stools. This substance is a superb product for nourishing Yin and a divine medicine for benefiting marrow and spirit. The world discards it and does not use it because of the phrase "long-term use causes loose stools." All medicines have biases; the key lies in appropriate processing and administration. Chushizi causes loose stools due to its moistening nature, not because we dislike its rapid downward action. To prevent sliding, one can first administer Poria (Fuling), Coix Seed (Yiyiren), and Chinese Yam (Shanyao) together; what fear is there of loose stools?

Someone asked: Chushizi is included in Da Lao Wan (Anti-Aging Pill), naturally a longevity item, why do you specifically not mention its benefit to lifespan? I replied: Longevity and health depend on how one takes medicine. Even if one swallows divine pills that replenish essence and fill marrow, but indulges in lust, one cannot even reach sixty years of age, let alone rely on ordinary Chushizi. If one restrains sexual activity, maintains careful daily routine, eats moderately, and avoids anger and irritation, one can live a long life even without Chushizi. Therefore, I briefly omit discussing this point.

Lophatherum Herb (Dan Zhuye), sweet and bland in taste, neutral-cold in nature, containing slight Yang within Yin, non-toxic. Enters the Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Stomach meridians. It expels rebellious Qi causing cough and asthma, disperses pathogenic heat in the Yangming channel, also clears deficient heat, irritability, and insomnia, specifically cools the Heart meridian, and especially dispels wind-induced spasms.

Bambusa Caulis Intercortex (Zhuru), primarily treats stomach-heat hiccups, manages dysphagia and vomiting, and especially stops mental restlessness.

Bambusa Cautis Succus (Zhuli), eliminates fever due to Yin deficiency, regulates mouth-locking in stroke. For children suffering from Tian Diao epilepsy (a type of convulsive disorder), it settles immediately upon entry. For women experiencing fainting during pregnancy or childbirth, consciousness returns immediately upon swallowing. It stops fright and expels phlegm. Phlegm in the limbs requires this herb to reach; phlegm in the subcutaneous tissue and intermuscular spaces requires this herb to eliminate. Secular people discard it considering it extremely cold. They do not know that Zhuli is extracted by fire from bamboo, and when assisted by Ginger Juice (Jiangzhi), water and fire are harmonized, so how can it be considered extremely cold? These three substances are all herbs that clear phlegm and drain fire. Because their properties are cold but do not damage Yuan Qi (Original Qi), they can be used in large doses to assist Ginseng (Renshen), Poria (Fuling), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu), and Atractylodes Rhizome (Cangzhu) in strengthening the Spleen and opening the stomach.

Some doubt that Lophatherum Herb, Bambusa Caulis Intercortex, and Bambusa Cautis Succus are the same substance, so why insist on distinguishing their effects? There are reasons why they must not be conflated. Lophatherum Herb is lighter than Bambusa Caulis Intercortex; although it cools the Heart, it primarily clears the Lungs. Bambusa Caulis Intercortex is lighter than Bambusa Cautis Succus; although it clears the Heart, it primarily clears the Stomach. As for Bambusa Cautis Succus, it is heavier than both; although it clears the Heart, it also supplements Yin.

Someone asked: Ancients used Bambusa Cautis Succus to treat Stroke (Zhong Feng); does this imply Stroke is always caused by phlegm? Is phlegm generated by wind? I replied: Stroke invariably involves phlegm formation, but phlegm is not generated by wind. If it were truly generated by wind, it would resemble external pathogenic invasion. Why would ancients then reuse this sweet, cold, and slippery Bambusa Cautis Succus to dissolve and eliminate the phlegm?

Someone asked: People suspect Lophatherum Herb is a herbaceous plant. Is this true or false? I replied: It is simply Bamboo Leaf. However, leaves from Miao Zhu (Moso Bamboo) or Zi Zhu (Purple Bamboo) should not be used. Generally, the leaves of these two species are bitter and unsuitable for medicinal use. Leaves from other bamboo species are bland in taste, hence named "Dan" (bland). They are not herbaceous leaves. If it were a herbaceous leaf, it would not be Bamboo Leaf, but a plant commonly called Chang Jiao (Smooth-leaf Grass), which, although cold in nature and able to stop cough, ultimately cannot enter the Heart meridian to eliminate phlegm.