Library

Diseases may arise from cold pathogens or be caused by heat. For diseases caused by cold, warming agents should naturally be used; for those caused by heat, cooling agents should be used. Take Wu Bei Zi Bai Cao Jian (Five-Gall Nut Hundred-Herb Decoction) as an example. Although its taste is sour and astringent, its nature is actually cold rather than warm. It is a substance that consolidates Lung Qi and subdues floating deficiency fire, thus capable of treating cough, stopping dysentery, eliminating phlegm, and calming asthma. However, compared to using Wu Bei Zi alone, the astringent effect of Bai Cao Jian is slightly weaker. Mu Li (Oyster Shell) has a property that specifically enters the Kidney channel to secure depletion, transforms phlegm, and softens hardness, but its action is specific to the Kidney and does not enter the Liver channel. Long Gu (Fossilized Bone) enters the Liver channel to consolidate Qi, gather the Hun (Ethereal Soul), and secure depletion. Conditions such as nocturnal emission and palpitations are suitable for its treatment, though its action does not extend to the Kidney. Each has its unique efficacy in specific and combined treatments. As for Ying Su Ke (Poppy Capsule), although it resembles Wu Bei Zi in entering the Lung channel to consolidate Qi and astringe the intestines, its cold nature is slightly milder than that of Wu Bei Zi, while its astringency is more intense. Therefore, one might prefer Ying Su Ke over Wu Bei Zi. Jing Mi (Rice) has a sweet and cool flavor, benefits the Middle Jiao, and relieves irritability, making it an excellent choice. In contrast, Ge Li Fen (Clam Shell Powder) has a salty and cold flavor, with functions dedicated to clearing heat, transforming phlegm, and securing Lung Qi. Qin Pi (Ash Bark) is also bitter and cold, functioning specifically to clear heat in the Liver channel and astringe Qi in the Kidney channel. These should be used according to the severity of heat and should not be lightly compared with mildly cold herbs like Long Gu, Mu Li, and Ying Su Ke.

(Oviparous) Internally taken to consolidate Lung Qi, drain fire, clear heat, stop cough, and secure depletion; externally applied to dispel wind-dampness and kill parasites.

Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) (Specifically enters the Lung and Spleen channels). According to texts, its taste is sour and astringent, and its nature is cold, capable of consolidating floating heat in the Lung channel. It is a formula for transforming phlegm, leaching dampness, draining fire, and astringing. (Wang Ang recounts Zhu Danxi's view: Wu Bei Zi belongs to Metal and Water; holding it in the mouth effectively consolidates stubborn phlegm and resolves heat toxins. Cough at dusk is due to fire floating in the Lungs; cooling herbs are inappropriate. Instead, Wu Bei Zi and Wu Wei Zi should be used to consolidate and descend. *Medical Outline* records: Wang Yuan was deficient and suffered from seminal emission; repeated use of Jia Wei Si Wu Tang, He Jian Mi Zhen Wan, and Zhen Zhen Fen Wan failed to stop it. Later, he took one liang of Wu Bei Zi and two liang of Fu Ling, made into pills, and recovered. This demonstrates that the consolidating power of Wu Bei Zi is more agile than that of Long Gu and Ge Li Fen. Wang Ang notes: When using astringent herbs, one must first promote free flow before achieving consolidation. In this prescription, the amount of Fu Ling is double that of Wu Bei Zi; one drains and one consolidates, thereby achieving its miraculous effect.) It is also said to treat wind-dampness. It is effective for wind-xanthoma itching and red, painful eyes. Does this not indicate a property that both consolidates and disperses, ascends and descends? However, fire floating in the Lungs manifests everywhere. Upper manifestations include phlegm accumulation, cough, dry anus after sweating, hematemesis, and epistaxis. Lower manifestations include diarrhea, dysentery, five types of hemorrhoids, bloody stool, rectal prolapse, purulent exudate, wet rot, and intussusception. Overflowing onto the skin and contracting cold pathogens leads to wind-xanthoma itching and non-healing sores. Attacking the eyes leads to redness, swelling, and corneal opacity. Used internally to treat viscera, it consolidates Lung Qi, stops cough, secures depletion, and arrests sweating (Spontaneous sweating occurs during wakefulness; night sweats occur during sleep. Apply powdered Wu Bei Zi mixed with saliva into the umbilicus and bind tightly; it stops within one night). Externally treating the skin, fumigation and washing dispel wind, remove dampness, and kill parasites (For all tinea infections, use Wu Bei Zi [to remove insects] and calcined Bai Fan [Alum], ground into equal parts powder for application; if dry, mix with oil). Though a single herb, its treatment covers internal and external aspects with different applications. It is not claimed that it can both enter the Lung to consolidate (treating dusk cough) and float to the surface to expel external pathogens. Texts advise against its use in exterior contraction syndromes, based on this rationale. The best substance for dyeing hair is produced on Rhus chinensis (Yan Fu Mu); it is formed by small insects feeding on sap and depositing eggs between leaves. (Rhus chinensis is sour and cold, eliminates phlegm, generates fluids, and stops cough. Wu Bei Zi is formed by insects feeding on its sap, hence sharing similar efficacy with Rhus chinensis.) For medicinal use, it can be used raw or stir-fried.