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Jili Zi (Tribuli Fructus), with a sweet and pungent taste, is of warm and slightly cold nature, and non-toxic. The variety from Shayuan is superior, while Bai Jili Zi (White Tribulus) is secondary. Although the species differ, their effects in brightening the eyes and dispelling wind are identical. However, Bai Jili Zi excels at breaking up accumulations (pathological masses), whereas Shayuan Jili Zi cannot do so. Shayuan Jili Zi is effective in stopping seminal emission and urinary incontinence, treating leukorrhea, throat obstruction (sore throat with swelling and blockage), and eliminating damp sweat in the genital area, which Bai Jili Zi cannot achieve. Currently, people exclusively favor the Shayuan variety and discard Bai Jili Zi, failing to recognize that each has its own specific efficacy. Therefore, I discuss them separately and compare them.

One might ask: Jili Zi can induce labor and abort fetuses, yet you omitted this point. Was the author of the *Bencao* mistaken? How can a non-toxic herb like Jili Zi cause abortion? To claim it induces labor is also inaccurate, as its action is not rapid. Then, on what basis did previous *Bencao* texts make such claims? It may be due to the observation that Bai Jili Zi has many spines. Generally, things with many spines hinder progress; they may stay without advancing, but it is unheard of for one to move quickly through thorns. Thus, since Jili Zi cannot induce labor, how could it possibly abort a fetus? Moreover, Shayuan Jili Zi is a substance that clears fire. In cases of spontaneous abortion in women, it is often due to excessive heat in the fetal qi. Ancient texts state that Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) calms the fetus precisely because its cold nature clears fire. Furthermore, Jili Zi is only slightly cold, unlike the severe cold of Huang Qin, and possesses both clearing and tonifying properties. It can even stop seminal leakage. How could a substance with astringent properties that stops seminal emission cause abortion? This is an error based on hearsay and should not be trusted.

Another question arises: Jili Zi from Shayuan, Tongzhou, is considered the best. Modern practitioners use it to treat eye diseases, claiming it tonifies and brightens the eyes. You also stated that it shares the property of brightening the eyes with Bai Jili Zi. Does this mean the Tongzhou variety does not tonify, while Bai Jili Zi does? (Commentary: People tend to undervalue what is near and overvalue what is distant; this is a general human tendency, not unique to Jili Zi.) I reply: Both substances have distinct efficacies, as mentioned earlier. Since you ask again, I will elaborate further. Shayuan Jili Zi tonifies more than it drains; Bai Jili Zi drains more than it tonifies, though it also has tonifying effects. Shayuan Jili Zi tonifies the Liver and Kidney to brighten the eyes, making it suitable for eye conditions caused by deficiency fire, but unsuitable for those caused by excess pathogenic factors. Using it for excess patterns would worsen vision, leading to photophobia and corneal opacity. Bai Jili Zi also tonifies the Liver and Kidney to brighten the eyes; it drains excess pathogens and can also address deficiency fire. Tonifying deficiency fire results in brighter vision, while draining excess pathogens results in clearer vision. Comparing the two, using Shayuan Jili Zi for brightening the eyes is inferior to using Bai Jili Zi, yet modern practitioners fail to understand this.