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(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Correction] Merged with *Zhike* (Bitter Orange Peel) from *Kaibao Bencao*.
[Names] The fruit is named *Zhishi* (Immature Bitter Orange), and the peel is named *Zhike* (Mature Bitter Orange Peel).
Su Song stated: *Zhishi* and *Zhike* are from the same substance. The smaller ones have a fierce and rapid nature, while the larger ones have a mild and slow nature. Therefore, when Zhang Zhongjing treated acute diseases of cold damage (*Shanghan*), he used *Zhishi* in Chengqi Tang, taking advantage of its meaning of unblocking, purging, and breaking up solid accumulations. In other prescriptions, if the purpose is merely to guide out stagnant wind and qi, and it can be taken regularly, then *Zhike* is used; this is the rationale.
"Zhi" is a phonetic compound character. "Shi" refers to its fruit, hence called *Zhishi*. Later generations, because the small ones act rapidly, also called the older ones "Ke" (shell), because the shell is thin and hollow, just like the logic of green tangerine peel versus aged tangerine peel. The Song dynasty scholars separately listed *Zhike* as a distinct entry, which was incorrect. Kou Zongshi believed it was named for breaking up solidities, but this is not necessarily so.
[Collection] *Mingyi Bielu* states: *Zhishi* grows in the rivers and marshes of Henei. It is harvested in the ninth and tenth months and dried in the shade.
Su Song states: *Zhike* grows in the valleys of Shangzhou. It is harvested in the ninth and tenth months and dried in the shade.
Chen Cangqi states: The harvesting of the fruit in the ninth and tenth months as recorded in *Shennong Bencao Jing* is inferior to harvesting in the seventh and eighth months, when the flavor is rich and pungent. Old texts say that south of the river produces ju (tangerines), and north of the river produces zhi (bitter oranges). *Zhou Li* also says: "Tangerines change into bitter oranges when crossing the Huai River." Currently, both zhi and ju exist in the south, while only zhi exists in the north. These are different species, not a result of transformation.
Su Song states: Currently, they grow in Luoxi and various prefectures in Jianghu, with those from Shangzhou being the best. The tree is like a tangerine tree but smaller, reaching five or seven chi in height. The leaves are like orange leaves and are thorny. They bloom white flowers in spring and bear fruit in autumn. Those harvested in the seventh and eighth months are called *Zhishi*, and those harvested in the ninth and tenth months are called *Zhike*. Current physicians consider the thick-skinned and small ones as *Zhishi*, and the complete and large ones as *Zhike*. Both are superior if they turn inside out like a basin rim and are aged. Those produced in nearby areas are commonly called "stinky tangerines" and are unsuitable for use.
[Processing] Tao Hongjing stated: After harvesting *Zhishi*, split it open and dry it, remove the core, and lightly roast until fragrant before use. Aged material is preferred. It is widely used in secular prescriptions but not required by Daoists.
Kou Zongshi stated: *Zhishi* and *Zhike* have different properties and effects. If using *Zhike*, select those with strong bitter and acrid flavors and visible oil glands, preferably those stored for many years. Remove the pulp and core, and stir-fry with wheat bran until the bran is scorched.
[Aroma and Flavor] Bitter, cold, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Sour, slightly cold. Lei Xiao stated: Shennong considered it bitter; Leigong considered it sour and non-toxic; Li Dangzhi considered it greatly cold. Li Xun stated: Acrid, bitter.
Zhang Yuansu stated: Cold in nature, bitter in flavor, dense in qi and thin in flavor, floating and ascending, slightly descending, belonging to yang within yin.
Wang Haogu stated: Sinking, yin.
[Indications] Wind pathogen in the skin, causing itching like hemp seeds or beans, removing cold-heat nodules, stopping dysentery, promoting muscle growth, benefiting the five zang organs, enriching qi and lightening the body (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Removing phlegm-rheum in the chest and hypochondrium, driving away retained water, breaking up solid accumulations, reducing distension and fullness, treating urgent epigastric pain and rebellious qi, hypochondriac wind-pain, stabilizing stomach qi, stopping loose stools, brightening the eyes (*Mingyi Bielu*). Resolving shanghan jie-xiong (chest binding), treating upper jiao wheezing and cough, kidney internal cold injury, impotence with qi stagnation, added to formulas for these conditions (Zhen Quan). Digesting food, dispersing ruined blood, breaking hard accumulations, removing damp-heat in the stomach (Zhang Yuansu).
[Elucidation] Zhu Zhenheng stated: *Zhishi* drains phlegm; it is a medicine capable of toppling walls and breaking through orifices and qi.
(Original text has gaps; inferred context: For accumulation, *Zhishi* and Huanglian are suitable.)
Without accumulated blood, there is no epigastric fullness.
The ancient formula Zhizhu Wan regulates the stomach and spleen; Zhang Zhongjing treated "hardness and enlargement under the heart caused by fluid retention" using Zhishi Baizhu Tang, taking seven pieces of *Zhishi* and three liang of Baizhu, decocted in one dou of water.
[Attached Formulas] Nine old formulas, four new formulas.
Sudden chest bi pain: Powderize *Zhishi*. Take one cun-bi with decoction, three times daily and once at night (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Chest bi and Jie-xiong: Chest bi involves hardness under the heart, qi stagnation in the chest, chest fullness, and rebellious qi seizing the heart. Treat with Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi Tang. Four pieces of aged *Zhishi*, four liang of Houpo, half a jin of Xiebai, one Gualou, one liang of Guizhi. Decoct in five sheng of water, first boil *Zhishi* and Houpo to obtain two sheng, discard dregs, add remaining herbs, boil for three or two boils, divide into three warm doses. Should heal (*Jingui Yaolue*).
Shanghan chest pain: After shanghan, sudden closure and pain in the chest and diaphragm. Stir-fry *Zhishi* with bran, powderize. Take two qian with rice drink, twice daily (*Jizhong Fang*).
Postpartum abdominal pain: *Zhishi* (bran-fried) and Shaoyao (wine-fried) each two qian. Decoct in one sheng of water and take. Can also be taken as powder (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).
Ben-tun qi pain: *Zhishi*, roasted and powderized. Take one cun-bi with water, three times daily and once at night (*Waitai Mi Yao*).
Female genital swelling and hard pain: Half a jin of *Zhishi*, crushed and fried. Wrap in cloth and apply hot compress, changing when cool (*Zimu Milu*).
Dysentery with rectal prolapse: Grind *Zhishi* flat on a stone, honey-roast and warm, apply alternatingly until retracted (*Qianjin Fang*).
Childhood chronic dysentery, improper digestion: Powderize *Zhishi*, take one or two qian with water (*Guangli Fang*).
Intestinal wind bleeding: Half a jin of *Zhishi* (bran-fried), half a jin of Huangqin. Powderize. Take two qian-bi with rice drink at any time. Pellets made with paste are also acceptable (*Jingyan Fang*).
Childhood five types of hemorrhoids, regardless of age: Powderize *Zhishi*, make pellets with refined honey the size of paulownia seeds. Take thirty pellets on an empty stomach with water (*Jiyan Fang*).
Childhood head sores: Burn *Zhishi* to ash, mix with lard and apply (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).

Zhike
[Aroma and Flavor] Bitter, sour, slightly cold, non-toxic.
Zhen Quan stated: Bitter, acrid. Zhang Yuansu stated: Aroma, flavor, ascending and descending actions are the same as *Zhishi*.
Wang Haogu stated: Sinking, yin.
[Indications] Wind itching and numbness, unblocking joints, labor-induced cough, back and shoulder heaviness and fatigue, dissipating phlegm stagnation in the chest and diaphragm, driving away water, reducing distension, intestinal wind, stabilizing stomach, stopping wind-pain (*Kaibao Bencao*). Generalized urticaria, severe itching in skin like hemp seeds, intestinal wind and hemorrhoids, qi knot in heart and abdomen, hypochondriac distension and deficiency, digesting food, breaking mass and accumulation, five diaphragm qi disorders, lung qi edema, benefiting large and small intestines, removing wind lung qi, removing chest stuffiness (Zhang Yuansu).
[Elucidation] Zhang Yuansu stated: *Zhike* breaks qi, overcomes dampness and transforms phlegm, drains lung and moves large intestine. Overuse damages the highest qi in the chest; it should only be taken for two or three doses. For those with robust constitution and stabbing qi pain, assess the situation.
Wang Haogu stated: Do not use for those with weak qi and blood, as it depletes qi.
Li Shizhen stated: *Zhike* treats the upper part, *Zhishi* treats the lower part; the upper part governs qi, the lower part governs blood. Thus, *Zhike* treats diseases of the chest, diaphragm, skin, and hair, while *Zhishi* treats diseases of the heart, abdomen, spleen, and stomach. They are largely similar with minor differences. Zhu Gong's *Huo Ren Shu* states: To treat pi syndrome, first use Jiegeng Zhike Tang; this is not for treating epigastric pi. If one truly understands that it can eliminate... distinguish them. Since Wei and Jin dynasties, the uses of Shi and Ke were distinguished.
Both can benefit qi. When qi descends, phlegm and wheezing stop; when qi moves, pi and distension resolve; when qi flows freely, stabbing pain stops; when qi benefits, tenesmus is removed. Therefore, *Zhike* benefits the chest and diaphragm, while *Zhishi* benefits the gastrointestinal tract. However, Zhang Zhongjing used *Zhishi* as the key herb for chest bi and pi-fullness; various formulas used *Zhike* as a general herb for bleeding hemorrhoids/dysentery, large intestine constipation, and tenesmus. Thus, *Zhishi* does not only treat the lower, nor does *Zhike* only treat the upper. From Feimen (anus) to Pomen (mouth/anus), all are governed by the Lung, the Sanjiao communicates, and it is all one qi. Therefore, separating these two substances is acceptable, and not separating them causes no harm. Du Ren's formula records Princess Huyang... Formula. Use four liang of *Zhike* and two liang of Gancao, powderize. Take one qian each time, dissolved in white water. Starting from May, take once daily until delivery. Not only will birth be easier, but fetal evil diseases will be avoided. Zhang Jiegu's *Huofa Jiyao* changed to daily服用 of Zhizhu Wan to make the fetus slender for easier birth, called Shutai Wan. However, Kou Zongshi's *Yanyi* stated: A robust fetus has strength and is easy to deliver; administering *Zhike* drugs makes it weak, and claiming it facilitates birth is incorrect. Reasoning logically, Kou's view seems superior. Or, for those with excessive and stagnant qi in early pregnancy, it is appropriate to use it. It is said that in the eighth and ninth months of pregnancy, *Zhike* and Sugeng must be used to smooth qi; without stagnation in pregnancy, there will be no deficiency postpartum. For those with weak qi constitution, it is highly inappropriate.
Zhu Zhenheng stated: Difficult childbirth often occurs in depressed and sedentary people, and those of noble status who enjoy rich nourishment. The ancient formula Shoutai Yin was made for Princess Huyang. My sister suffered from difficult childbirth; she was fat and liked to sit. I thought this was opposite to the princess. Those who enjoy rich nourishment likely have excess qi, so consuming their qi to balance it makes birth easier. Now, being fat implies qi deficiency, and sitting long implies qi stagnation; one should tonify the mother's qi. Using Zisu Yin plus qi-tonifying herbs for several doses resulted in smooth delivery.
[Attached Formulas] Three old formulas, sixteen new formulas.
Shanghan hiccups: Half a liang of *Zhike*, one qian of Muxiang, powderize. Take one qian with white water each time; repeat if ineffective (*Benshi Fang*).
Abdominal distension in old and young: For blood and qi stagnation, use this to widen intestines and smooth qi, named Sicui Wan. Four liang of Shangzhou *Zhike* (thick and green-backed, remove pulp), divided into four parts: one part stir-fried with one liang of Cangzhu, one part with one liang of Luobozizi, one part with one liang of Ganxi, one part with one liang of Huixiang until yellow. Remove the four herbs, keep only *Zhike* powder. Use the decoction of the four herbs to cook flour paste and make pellets the size of paulownia seeds. Take fifty pellets after meals with rice drink (*Yijian Fang*).
Digest accumulation and smooth qi: Treats five accumulations and six聚, regardless of gender or age, for any qi accumulation. This is an immortal-transmitted formula. Three jin of *Zhike* (remove pulp), insert one Baiduoren into each, tie tightly, and boil in water. Simmer for one day. Add hot water if reduced, do not use cold water. When juice is exhausted, remove Baiduoren, slice and dry (do not fry), powderize. Make pellets with vinegar-cooked flour paste the size of paulownia seeds. Take thirty to forty pellets each time with appropriate decoction (*Jingyan Fang*).
Smooth qi and stop dysentery: Two liang four qian of *Zhike* (fried), six qian of Gancao, powderize. Take two qian with boiling water (*Yingtong Baiwen*).
Guide Honggangjiao (beriberi): Same as above, take with Mugua decoction (*Zhizhi Fang*).
Childhood constipation: One qian of *Zhike* (roasted, remove pulp) and one qian of Gancao, decoct in water and take (*Quanyou Xinjian*).
Intestinal wind bleeding: Regardless of duration. *Boji Fang*: Five qian of *Zhike* (charred but retaining nature), three qian of Yangjingtan (powder), mix evenly. Take with rice drink on an empty stomach at wugeng hour. If the patient walks five li, take another dose; effective on the same day. *Jianbian Fang*: One liang of *Zhike*, five qian of Huanglian, one zhong of water, decoct to half a zhong, take on empty stomach... Fang: Coarse powder of *Zhike*. Take five qian, decoct in one and a half sheng of water to one sheng. If distended and heavy, add one liang of Baizhu (*Huofa Jiyao*).
Postpartum rectal prolapse: Decoct *Zhike*, soak the prolapsed part; it will retract after a while (*Xiuzhen Fang*).
Childhood convulsions: Bu Jing Wan: Treats childhood convulsions due to fright qi, vomiting, phlegm obstruction, limb jerking, and deviated eyes. Equal parts *Zhike* (remove pulp, bran-fried) and Danshichixiao. Powderize. Take one zi per dose, half a qian for severe cases. For acute fright, take with mint natural juice; for chronic fright, take with Jingjie decoction plus three to five drops of wine, three times daily (*Xiao'er Fang*).
Toothache: Soak *Zhike* in wine and gargle (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).
Wind urticaria itching: Three liang of *Zhike*. Bran-fried and powderized. Take two qian, decoct in one sheng of water to six fen, strain and take warm. Apply juice externally (*Jingyan Houfang*).
Childhood soft carbuncle: One large *Zhike*. Remove white pith, grind mouth flat, apply edge with flour paste to the carbuncle. Pus and blood will drain naturally, leaving no scar (*Defang Fang*).
Benefit qi and brighten eyes: One liang of *Zhike* (bran-fried). Powderize. Steep in water as tea (*Puji Fang*).
Pi syndrome from premature purging: Yin syndrome of shanghan, pi syndrome from premature purging, fullness under heart without pain, soft upon pressure. Equal parts *Zhike* and Binglang, powderize. Take three qian, mixed with Huanglian decoction (*Xuanming Fang*). Take with jujube decoction (*Benshi Fang*).

Zhiru
Tree bark. Or said: Bark scraped from *Zhike*.
[Indications] Stroke causing straight body, inability to bend and stretch repeatedly, and facial paralysis/deviation. Scrape one sheng of bark, steep in three sheng of wine overnight. Take five he of warm wine each time; make again when wine is finished (Su Song).
Root Bark
[Indications] Soak in wine and gargle for toothache (Zhen Quan). Decoct juice and take to treat major...
Young Leaves
[Indications] Decoct as tea to remove wind (Shizhen. From *Chapu*).