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Huai Shi (Sophorae Fructus), with bitter, acrid, and salty flavors, and cold nature, is non-toxic. It enters the Large Intestine meridian. It stops excessive saliva, supplements severe injuries, cools fire in the Large Intestine, eliminates breast masses, removes male genital sores with dampness and itching, relieves female postpartum vaginal pain and itching, treats fire-toxin sores, and has an abortifacient effect. Swallowed with wine, seven grains are particularly effective for inducing labor. Generally, the branches, leaves, flowers, and roots of the Sophora tree share similar therapeutic effects, but the fruit is superior. However, it should only be used temporarily as an adjunctive herb and not taken long-term; long-term use causes excessive cold in the Large Intestine, leading to diarrhea.

One asks about the efficacy difference between Huai Shi (Sophorae Fructus) and Huai Mi (Sophorae Flos). Huai Mi refers to the unopened flower buds. Its flavor and qi are identical to Huai Shi, but Huai Shi has a heavier flavor, while Huai Mi is light and clear. In decoctions, Huai Mi seems superior to Huai Shi; however, in pills, Huai Mi is inferior to Huai Shi.

One asks that *Taiqing Caomu Fang* records Sophora as the essence of the Xu Star, suggesting that harvesting and consuming the fruit on the Shangsi day in the tenth month can eliminate hundred diseases and grant longevity and spiritual insight. *Book of Liang* also states that Yu Jianwu frequently consumed Huai Shi (Sophorae Fructus); in his seventies, his hair remained black, and he could read small print. Is this not proof of spiritual insight? Alas. Huai Shi (Sophorae Fructus) is not a drug for longevity. Its nature is bitter, cold, and yin; long-term consumption damages the Spleen and Stomach. Yu Jianwu’s effectiveness was likely due to robust yang rather than yin deficiency, and excess heat rather than deficient heat.

Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange), with bitter and sour flavors, and cold nature (slightly yang within yin), is non-toxic. Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) originate from the same plant, but Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) is harvested in summer, while Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) is harvested in autumn.
Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) has a mild nature and treats the upper jiao; the upper jiao governs qi, and treatment focuses on the chest and diaphragm. Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) has a rapid nature and treats the lower jiao; the lower jiao governs blood, and treatment focuses on the heart and abdomen. Therefore, chest fullness/stagnation results from Lung qi knotting; combining Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) with Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix) promotes ascending and resolving upward. Epigastric fullness/stagnation results from Spleen blood accumulation; combining Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) with Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) promotes purging and resolving downward. In summary, both herbs have the function of promoting circulation and breaking stagnation, acting like pushing down walls. For any accumulation, obstruction, phlegm nodules, or mass-fullness, they must be used, distinguishing between upper and lower locations. Use Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) for mild treatment of the upper, and Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) for urgent treatment of the lower; there will be no error. However, they must never be used alone; they must be accompanied by Qi-tonifying and Blood-nourishing herbs. This ensures that breaking qi does not deplete qi, attacking pathogens does not injure healthy qi, and expelling blood does not damage blood, making it the safest approach.

One asks: Since Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) and Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) are from the same source, and Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) is harvested in autumn with a heavier flavor, why does it float upward rather than sink? The nature of Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) becomes more floating as it matures. Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) collects Metal qi, thus dispersing Lung Metal stagnation; it is not merely because its mild nature stays in the middle jiao.

One asks: Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) is harvested in summer when it is light and thin, yet why is it more potent than Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange)? Is it due to immaturity? Answer: The nature of Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) is fierce when small and weak when large. Harvested in summer, it gains the momentum of summer qi. The Spleen is an Earth organ, harmonizing with summer qi, allowing it to descend and push out Spleen accumulations; it is not simply because Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) acts rapidly due to urgency.

One asks: Since Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) is too rapid and sharp, for conditions suitable for resolution/digestion, why not use Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) instead? Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) and Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) should not be used together; one treats the upper, the other the lower. The efficacy of Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) is less than that of Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange). Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) attacks hardness and assists Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) to win victory, serving as the vanguard of enemy-breaking, unlike Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) which mediates centrally and only handles minor internal issues.

One asks: Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) breaks all hardness; assisted by Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), its power to purge accumulation is miraculous. Why caution against using it for urgent conditions? If the syndrome is clearly identified and medication is appropriate, why hesitate? Conditions change, and patients vary in deficiency/excess. If not accurately differentiated, reckless use of Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) could be fatal. My method of differentiation: If abdominal pain prevents palpation, use without doubt. If palpation causes no pain but hard accumulation exists, how to differentiate? Check the tongue in the mouth; if red-black spots appear, use without doubt. Thus, errors are avoided.

One asks: Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) treats fetal unrest; ancients included it in "Slimming Fetus" formulas to prevent difficult labor. Why do you omit this? Answer: Pregnancy relies on Qi and Blood to nourish the fetus. Abundant Qi and Blood facilitate easy delivery; deficiency leads to difficulty. Using Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) to calm the fetus inevitably causes fetal restlessness and difficult labor. Thus, Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) is not a fetal-calming herb but a fetal-damaging one; not an easy-delivery agent but a difficult-delivery agent. Moreover, the ancient "Slimming Fetus Drink" was designed for Princess Huyang, who lived in luxury with excessive nourishment, resulting in excess Qi. Damaging her excess made pregnancy easier. One cannot apply this generally to wealthy women. Wealthy women should not use Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) to calm the fetus; nor should poor women (Jingbu zhi jia), who lack abundance, have their deficiency further damaged. Hence, I omit discussion.

One asks: Why does Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange) treat epigastric fullness and cardiac fullness/pain? The upper opening of the Stomach is called the贲门 (Cardia). The Cardia connects to the Heart. When Stomach Qi is obstructed, the area below the heart becomes tight and uncomfortable, causing fullness. Pathogens blocking the Middle Jiao prevent ascending and descending, forcing Qi to rebel upward. The Liver Meridian, originally stagnant, fails to flow freely, causing hypochondriac distension and cardiac fullness/pain. Zhi Ke (Ripe Bitter Orange)'s dispersing and resolving action eliminates these fullness and stagnation symptoms.