Library

[Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica)]
[Ji Jie (Collected Explanations)] Li Shizhen states: The Wuzi tree is currently found growing in Chaozhou. According to Pei Yuan's Guangzhou Ji, the fruit of the Wuzi is as large as a pear but contains five kernels inside, hence its name.

[Qi Wei (Flavor and Properties)] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.

[ Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea) and Jin Chuang (metal weapon injuries); suitable for consumption (Li Shizhen, citing Chaozhou Zhi).

(Bingming Bie Lu [Secret Classic of the Divine Farmer's Classification of Materia Medica], Lower Grade)
[Jiao Zheng (Correction)] Li Shizhen states: The Mu Bu (Wood Section) of Bingming Bie Lu records Fei Shi (Torreya seed) and also Bi Zi (likely referring to a related species or variant, often identified as coarse Torreya). Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) in the Yu Chong Bu (Fish and Insect Section) records Bi Zi. Song Dynasty Kai Bao Ben Cao recorded Tui Zi under "Famous but Unused". Based on Su Gong's theory, these are now combined and recorded below.

[Shi Ming (Explanation of Names)] Bi Zi (pronounced 'Bi'. Shen Nong Ben Cao), Chi Guo (Red Fruit, Ri Yong Ben Cao), Yu Fei (Jade Torreya, Ri Yong Ben Cao), Yushan Guo (Yushan Fruit).
Li Shizhen states: Fei can also be written as Bi. Its wood is called Wen Mu (patterned wood) because of its beautiful grain, thus named Fei. The variety from Yushan County, Xinzhou is the best. Hence, Su Dongpo's poem says: "That beautiful Yushan fruit, shining like gold plate fruits." Bi Zi is discussed below.
Rui states: Locals call it Chi Guo, also known as Yu Fei.

[Ji Jie (Collected Explanations)] Bingming Bie Lu states: Fei Shi grows in Yongchang. Bi Zi grows in the valleys of Yongchang.
Tao Hongjing states: Bi Zi is also called Pi Zi. It has never been used before; physicians of ancient and modern times no longer recognize it. Fei Shi comes from various commanderies in Dongyang.
Su Gong states: Bi Zi should be written with the wood radical (referring to the character for coarse Torreya), mistakenly entered into the Insect Section. Er Ya states that Bi Zi is also called [Character missing/variant]. Its leaves resemble those of the fir/cedar, and its wood resembles cypress but is softer. The seed is named Fei Zi and should be included in the Fruit Section. Another note on Fei Shi states: it is the same as the Bi Zi in the Insect Section. The tree is very large, requiring two people to embrace, several zhang high, with leaves like cedar, wood like cypress, grain like pine, fine and soft texture, suitable for making utensils.
Kou Zongshi states: Fei Shi is as large as an olive, with a purple-brown brittle shell. Inside, there is a layer of thick black skin covering the kernel, which is yellowish-white and becomes sweet after prolonged chewing.
Chen Cangqi states: Bi Hua is the flower of the Fei Zi. Bi and Fei are the same character. The Fei tree resembles cedar... (Text fragment implies confusion in classification). There is Bi Zi in the Insect Section, while Tao Hongjing listed Fei Shi and Bi Hua in the Wood Section; they are all the same substance.
Ying states: There is a type called Coarse Fei. Its wood is similar to Fei, but the grain is rougher and redder. Its seeds are slightly plumper, round rather than pointed. The Bi Zi in Shen Nong Ben Cao refers to Coarse Fei.
Li Shizhen states: Fei grows in deep mountains and is called Ye Shan (Wild Cedar) by people. According to Luo Yuan's Er Ya Yi, Bi resembles cedar but differs. Bi has delicious fruit and patterned wood; its wood resembles paulownia while leaves resemble cedar, and it is difficult to grow long. The trees have male and female varieties; males flower, females bear fruit. Yellow round flowers bloom in winter, bearing fruits the size of dates. The kernel is long like an olive pit, either pointed or blunt, without ridges, thin-shelled, and yellowish-white. The kernel can be eaten raw or baked and stored. Small ones with solid hearts are preferred; a single tree yields not less than several hu. Tao Hongjing did not recognize Bi Zi, only Su Gong could distinguish them as the same thing.

Fei Shi (From Bingming Bie Lu)
[Qi Wei (Flavor and Properties)] Sweet, neutral, astringent, non-toxic.
Rui states: Hot in nature. Consuming it with goose meat may cause Duan Jie Feng (joint-breaking wind/rheumatism) and causes qi stagnation; avoid foods generating internal heat.
Li Shizhen states: According to Wulei Xianggan Zhi, cooking Fei in vegetable soup makes it sweeter. Stir-frying Fei Zi with lard causes the black skin to peel off naturally. Eating Fei Zi with sugarcane makes the residue soft. It is also said that Fei Zi skin contradicts mung beans and can be fatal.

[Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Regular consumption treats Wu Zhi (five types of hemorrhoids), eliminates San Chong (three types of parasites) and gu poison, and dispels Gui Zhu (wandering pestilence spirits) and malignant toxins (Bingming Bie Lu). Consumption treats Cun Bai Chong (tapeworms) (Tao Hongjing).
Promotes digestion, supports sinews and bones, circulates Ying and Wei (nutritive and defensive qi), brightens the eyes, lightens the body, and increases appetite. Consuming one or two sheng more does not cause illness (Meng Shen). Excessive consumption causes loose bowels; suitable for hemorrhoid patients (Kou Zongshi). Treats cough and white turbidity, aids yang function.

Bi Zi (From Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Formerly written as 'Bi')
[Qi Wei (Flavor and Properties)] Sweet, warm, possesses... (text fragment)

[Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Abdominal pathogenic qi, eliminates San Chong (three types of parasites), snake bites and gu poison, Gui Zhu Fu Shi (lingering pestilence corpses) (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing).

[Fa Ming (Elucidation)] Zhu Zhenheng states: Fei Zi is a fruit of the Lung organ. Roasted and eaten, it is fragrant, crisp, and sweet. However, excessive consumption draws fire into the lungs and damages the Large Intestine.
Yuan states: Fei Zi kills large and small worms in the abdomen; suitable for children who are sallow and emaciated due to worm accumulation. Su Dongpo's poem says: "Drive away the three Peng worms, eliminating my abdominal disease," which is correct.
Li Shizhen states: Fei Shi and Bi Zi have identical therapeutic effects and must be the same substance. However, Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing states Bi Zi is toxic, suggesting some difference, likely due to its vermifuge properties. Wang Ying considered Coarse Fei to be Bi Zi; ultimately, they are in the same category and not far apart.

[Fu Fang (Attached Prescriptions)] One old prescription, five new prescriptions.
Cun Bai Chong (Tapeworm): Meng Shen states: Eat seven Fei Zi daily for seven days, and the worms will turn into water. Waitai Mi Yao: Use 100 Fei Zi, remove shells, roast/fire-bake, and eat... (text fragment).
Those who love tea and have a sallow complexion: Daily consume seven Fei Zi... (text fragment).
To prevent hair loss: Three Fei Zi, two Walnuts, one liang of Cebai Ye (Platycladi Cacumen), crushed and soaked in snow water to comb hair; hair will never fall out and will remain moist (Shenghui Fang).
Sudden hematemesis (vomiting blood): First eat two or three steamed cakes, then take three qian of powdered Fei Zi with plain hot water, three times a day (Shengji Zonglu).
Shi Yan Tong Yang (Corpse throat pain/itching) and inability to speak: Half liang of Fei Shi, one liang of Wuyi, half liang each of Xingren (Apricot Seed) and Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), powdered, honey-pilled to the size of a bullet, held in mouth and swallowed (Shengji Zonglu).

Bi Hua (From Bingming Bie Lu)
Harvested when the moon is born in spring (early spring).
Chen Cangqi states: It is the flower of Fei Zi.

[Qi Wei (Flavor and Properties)] Bitter.

[Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Shui Qi (water retention/edema), eliminates Chi Chong (red worms), improves complexion, should not be taken for a long time (Bingming Bie Lu).