Library

Shu Jiao (Sichuan Pepper), with a pungent taste and warm, extremely hot nature, is light and floating, belonging to the Yang within Yang. It is toxic. It enters the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. It eliminates abdominal pain caused by cold and dampness, bi-syndrome pain, kills toxins from ghostly affections, gu-poison, insects, fish, and venomous snakes, removes dead flesh in the skin and joints, treats shanghan (Cold Damage) and wen-nue (Warm Malaria), reduces nebulae in both eyes, drives away deep-seated cold in the six fu-organs, unblocks blood vessels, opens the "ghost gates" (sweat pores), harmonizes joints, strengthens teeth and hair, warms the waist and knees, particularly reduces urination volume, regulates wind-pathogens, stops rebellious qi causing cough, treats belching, nourishes the harmonious qi, resolves edema and jaundice, stops intestinal dysentery and bloody stool. Excessive consumption depletes qi and causes blindness; long-term use darkens hair and delays aging. Its functions are numerous, exceeding those recorded in books. However, small doses are beneficial, while large doses are harmful. When added to yin-nourishing formulas, it can be taken for a long time; when added to yang-tonifying preparations, it should not be used frequently.

Note: The efficacy of Shu Jiao (Sichuan Pepper) produced in Shu region indeed surpasses that of locally produced pepper, as Shu Jiao has a lighter aroma and is thus more beneficial. Locally produced pepper has twice the pungency and fragrance of Shu production; although its efficacy is slightly weaker, it is still usable. Generally, if one liang of Shu Jiao is used, one liang and two qian of local pepper must be used. Why seek exclusively Shu Jiao?

One might ask: Shu Jiao can darken beard hair, so shouldn't it be used in formulas for darkening hair? In fact, Shu Jiao cannot directly darken hair; it serves to guide hair-darkening herbs into the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governing Vessel). Most hair-darkening herbs are cold in nature, whereas Shu Jiao is hot. Their combined use can better restrain yin-cold qi, thus achieving results easily and turning hair black very quickly. However, hot herbs should be used sparingly, not excessively.

Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit), with a pungent and bitter taste, warm and extremely hot nature, can ascend and descend, belonging to Yin within Yang. It has slight toxicity. It enters the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. It primarily treats throat obstruction and blocked qi, disperses cold qi stagnation in the chest and diaphragm, drives away stagnant cold in the Spleen and Stomach, relieves paroxysmal colic in the umbilical and abdominal regions, expels dampness from the Bladder, treats severe pain from hernia in the scrotum, opens the couli (skin pores), resolves wind-pathogens, stops vomiting and rebellious qi, and eliminates cholera-like disorders. By following and moderating the nature of Liver Wood, it miraculously treats regurgitation of sour fluid. For Jueyin headache, Wu Zhu Yu is essential as a guiding herb. Its qi is fierce; excessive consumption causes staring eyes and open mouth. Long-term use damages Yuan Qi (Original Qi); it is especially contraindicated in cases of intestinal deficiency with diarrhea. It can be used inversely to dispel cold, or directly to resolve heat. Generally, it can be used in larger doses to dispel cold, but rarely in large doses to resolve heat.

Note: Wu Zhu Yu is included in Si Shen Wan (Four Spirit Pill) to treat Kidney diarrhea. Is this not using it to dispel cold? However, the use of Wu Zhu Yu in Si Shen Wan is not solely for dispelling cold, but also to borrow its drying property to remove dampness. The Kidney dislikes dryness, but prolonged diarrhea makes the Kidney suffer from dampness. Wu Zhu Yu's drying nature pleases the Kidney. Upon entering the Kidney system, it guides water outward to the Bladder rather than the Large Intestine.

One may doubt that since Wu Zhu Yu is hot and used to dispel cold, it cannot be used to resolve heat. One must understand the principle of treating according to the disease's nature (Cong Zhi): it is appropriate to follow rather than oppose. Opposing its nature leads to mutual rejection; following its nature brings mutual harmony and success.