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Bulgariae Fructus (Puguzhi), also known as Pogu Zhi, has a bitter and pungent taste, is warm in nature, and is non-toxic. It enters the Spleen and Kidney meridians. It treats injuries from overexertion in men, regulates Blood and Qi disorders in women, stops soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, tonifies marrow and replenishes essence, eliminates astringency in the scrotum and reduces urinary frequency, secures seminal emission and impotence, removes cold pain in the hands and feet, and can calm various rebellious Qi. However, it may only be taken for a long time when the Lower Jiao presents with Cold and Deficiency patterns. If Deficient Fire is too vigorous, it should only be used temporarily to guide Fire back to its source (Yin Huo Gui Yuan); otherwise, daily consumption will instead assist the floating and wandering Fire to ascend.

When ancients used Pogu Zhi, they invariably paired it with Walnut Kernel (Hetao Ren). This was precisely because its nature is overly drying, and they feared it might disturb Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo), so they used it to moderate its dryness and make it moistening; it was not that Pogu Zhi must rely on Walnut.

One might ask: Since Bulgariae Fructus should not be used lightly, why do formulas like Qing'e Wan instruct people to take them all day long, yet achieve such miraculous results? One must understand that Qing'e Wan is designed for individuals with Lower Jiao Cold and absence of Fire. For those with Lower Jiao Cold and no Fire, long-term use is appropriate; how could one forbid their occasional use? When Mingmen Fire declines, leading to soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, and cold extremities, or even impotence and diarrhea, if Bulgariae Fructus is not used to urgently generate Mingmen Fire, how else can Yang be restored and life sustained?

Furthermore, Bulgariae Fructus is particularly effective in calming asthma. In cases of Kidney Deficiency Cold where True Qi from Guanyuan rushes up to the throat, and descending Qi herbs fail, administering Bulgariae Fructus allows the Qi to return to its origin. This relies on its ability to warm and tonify Mingmen, thereby restoring Yang and stabilizing breathing. Thus, the key to using Bulgariae Fructus lies in assessing whether Mingmen is Cold or not; I do not advise against long-term use indiscriminately.

Another question arises: Although Pogu Zhi descends Qi well, does it not also break Qi? Why did you omit this? The answer is: Pogu Zhi never breaks Qi; this is a misconception. Pogu Zhi is a supreme herb for gathering Qi and returning it to its source. If Qi fails to return, it helps it return; how could it break Qi that has not yet been damaged? Its nature is overly warm, which might stir Mingmen Fire; if Fire stirs, Qi moves, and moving Qi might lead to breaking Qi. However, Pogu Zhi is rarely used alone; it is combined with one or two Yin-nourishing herbs to balance it. In such combinations, Fire remains stable, and breaking Qi cannot occur. (Commentary: Pogu Zhi gathers Qi rather than breaking it; although predecessors mentioned this, none expressed it so clearly.)

Another question: Bulgariae Fructus is miraculous for treating diarrhea, so why is it suitable for some cases of Spleen Diarrhea but not others? Bulgariae Fructus is not primarily a diarrhea-treating herb; it treats diarrhea by addressing its root, specifically Kidney Diarrhea (Shen Xie), not Spleen Diarrhea (Pi Xie). When Mingmen Fire in the Kidney is cold, causing Spleen Qi insecurity and painful diarrhea at dawn (Wu Geng Xie), Bulgariae Fructus must be used to warm Mingmen Fire, stopping the diarrhea. However, if the Mingmen is not cold but the Spleen itself causes diarrhea, this is a Heat-type diarrhea. Using Bulgariae Fructus would be contrary to the patient's needs, making it unsuitable.

Another question: Is it true that Bulgariae Fructus without Walnut is like a jellyfish without shrimp? Alas! How does Pogu Zhi need Walnut? Pogu Zhi belongs to Fire, gathers and calms the Spirit (Shen), and allows Heart Pericardium Fire to communicate with Mingmen Fire. It does not require the oily moisture of Walnut to enter the Heart and Kidney. Pogu Zhi inherently possesses the wonder of mutual generation of Water and Fire; adding Walnut Kernel enhances this effect, but it is incorrect to say Pogu Zhi absolutely depends on Walnut. (Commentary: The analysis is very appropriate.)

Skepticism arises: Since Pogu Zhi is a Yang herb, why does it specifically tonify the Kidney? Only when there is Yang Qi in the Kidney can the beauty of Mutual Interaction (Ji Ji) between Yin and Yang be achieved. Pogu Zhi is actually a herb that tonifies both Yin and Yang, but among these, its function of tonifying Fire exceeds that of tonifying Water. When moderated by Walnut Kernel, Water and Fire achieve balance.

Another question: Pogu Zhi tonifies Mingmen Fire, but its nature is overly drying. Tonifying Fire excessively might consume insufficient Water. Did ancients use Walnut to moderate it not to nourish Water? Actually, Walnut moderates Pogu Zhi not to prevent Water consumption, but to assist Kidney Fire. Kidney Fire cannot arise without Water; the oil in Walnut is excellent at generating Water. If Kidney Water is not depleted, Kidney Fire will not be cold. Thus, when Pogu Zhi meets Walnut, there is a joy of mutual assistance between Water and Fire. (Commentary: Generating Water and Fire complements each other excellently; a brilliant argument.)