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(Sourced from the Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)

[Names] Li Shizhen stated: The Spleen governs intelligence; this substance benefits the Spleen and Stomach, hence its name. This is consistent with the meaning behind naming Longan fruit as "Yi Zhi" (Benefiting Intelligence). According to Su Shi's records: Yi Zhi is produced in Hainan; its flowers and fruits are long spikes divided into three sections. By observing these upper, middle, and lower sections, one can predict the harvest of early, mid-season, and late rice. In a year of great abundance, all sections bear fruit; in a year of great famine, none bear fruit; it is rare for all three sections to ripen simultaneously. As a medicinal material, it is only used for treating water-related diseases and has no benefit to intelligence. Could its name derive from its ability to know the yearly harvest? This is another theory, though ultimately it seems far-fetched.

[Collection and Explanation] Chen Cangqi stated: Yi Zhi originates from Kunlun and Jiaozhi countries, but is now found in various prefectures and commanderies of Lingnan. Gu Wei's *Guangzhou Ji* states: Its leaves resemble Acorus calamus, growing over ten feet long. Small branches emerge from the root, standing eight or nine inches high, without calyxes. The stem resembles bamboo arrows, and the seeds emerge from the center. One branch bears ten seeds clustered together, the size of small dates. The inner kernel is black, and the skin is white; kernels that are smaller are of better quality. Chewing them helps control saliva. Alternatively, they may be split into four parts, the kernels removed, and the outer skin boiled with honey to make zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), which taste pungent. Lu Xun of the Jin Dynasty presented Liu Yu with Yi Zhi zongzi, referring to this.

Tao Gong stated: Yi Zizi resembles unopened Forsythia capsules. The seedlings, leaves, flowers, and roots are indistinguishable from legumes, except the seeds are smaller.

Li Shizhen stated: According to Xi Han's *Nanfang Caomu Zhuang*: Yi Zhi flowers in February, with flowers and fruits connected, ripening in May and June. Its seeds are like pen tips, pointed at both ends, seven or eight fen long. Mixed with Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis), it imparts fragrance when drinking wine. It can also be salted, dried, or made into zongzi. Based on this, Gu Wei's claim that it lacks flowers is incorrect. Current Yi Zizi resembles date pits, with skins and kernels similar to Caodoukou (Grains of Paradise).

[Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae]

[Properties and Flavor] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.

[Indications] Nocturnal emission due to deficiency and leakage, dribbling after urination, benefiting Qi and calming the Spirit, tonifying insufficiency, stabilizing the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), and regulating various Qi mechanisms. For frequent nocturia, take 24 seeds, crush them, decoct with salt, and ingest; this yields remarkable results (cited from *Zhi*). Treats external cold invading the Stomach, harmonizes the Middle Jiao and benefits Qi, and reduces excessive salivation (Li Gao). Benefits the Spleen and Stomach, regulates Yuan Qi, and treats Kidney deficiency leading to slippery discharge (Wang Haogu). Cold Qi abdominal pain, Heart Qi insufficiency, dream-emission with red turbid urine, Heat damaging the Heart system, hematemesis, metrorrhagia, and other syndromes (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Liu Wansu stated: Yi Zhi is pungent and hot; it can resolve stagnation and promote the free flow of Qi. Wang Haogu stated: Yi Zhi is primarily a Spleen herb, governing the Ministerial Fire and Imperial Fire. In Jixiang Wan, it enters the Lung meridian; in Sizijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), it enters the Spleen meridian; in Dafengsui Dan, it enters the Kidney meridian. There is a mutual mother-son relationship among the Three Zang organs. It should be used concurrently in tonifying formulas, but not in large doses.

Li Shizhen stated: Yi Zhi is strongly pungent, a herb that promotes Yang and retreats Yin, suitable for those with weak Qi in the Sanjiao and Mingmen (Gate of Life). According to Yang Shiying's *Zhizhi Fang*: The Heart is the Mother of the Spleen. Digestion involves more than just harmonizing the Spleen; since Fire generates Earth, Heart herbs should be incorporated into Spleen and Stomach formulas to achieve synergy. Thus, ancients often used Yi Zhi in digestive formulas to benefit Fire within the Earth element. Additionally, Hong Mai's *Yijian Zhi* records: Lu Ying, a scholar from Xiuchuan, suddenly suffered from continuous hematemesis, Qi rebellion,惊颤 (tremors), mania, staring blankly, and wanting to open the door and go out late at night. This persisted for two nights, and various prescriptions failed. He dreamed of Guanyin (Avalokitesvara) transmitting a formula, instructing him to take only one dose to permanently cure the disease. Upon waking, he recorded the formula, prepared the medicine accordingly, and recovered. The formula: Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae kernel 1 liang, Cinnabar (raw) 2 qian, Exocarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride 5 qian, Moschus 1 qian. Pulverized into fine powder. Take 1 qian per dose, administered on an empty stomach with Decoctio Junci (Juncus effusus tea).

[Attached Formulas] Eight new formulas.

Frequent urination due to insufficient Qi of the Bladder: Lei Zhou Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae (salt-fried, remove salt) and Tiantai Laurus Neurocadis Radet Cortex (Wu Yao) in equal proportions. Pulverize. Use wine-boiled Dioscorea opposita starch to form pills the size of Sophora japonica seeds. Take 70 pills per dose, administered on an empty stomach with salt water. Named Suoquan Wan (Urine-Retaining Pill) (from *Zhu Shi Ji Yan Fang*).

Heart deficiency with slippery urination, and red/white turbid urine: Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae kernel, Poria cocos, and Atractylodes macrocephala in equal proportions. Pulverize. Take 3 qian per dose, mixed with plain boiled water. For white turbidity with abdominal fullness, applicable to both men and women. Use Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae kernel (soaked in salt water and fried), Magnolia officinalis bark (fried with ginger juice) in equal proportions, plus 3 slices of fresh Ginger and 1 Jujube. Decoct in water and ingest (from *Yong Lei Qian Fang*).

Red turbid urine: Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae kernel and Polyporus umbellatus each 2 liang, Polygala tenuifolia and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (water-decocted) each half jin. Pulverize. Form pills with wine paste, size of Sophora japonica seeds. Take 50 pills on an empty stomach with Ginger decoction. Sudden abdominal distension with incessant diarrhea day and night, unresponsive to other drugs, indicates Qi collapse. Use Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae kernel 2 liang, decoct strongly and drink; immediate recovery occurs (Wei Shi's *De Xiao Fang*).

Metrorrhagia in women: Fry Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae and grind finely. Mix with rice gruel and salt, take 1 qian (from *Chan Bao*).

Fresh breath and eliminating odor: Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae kernel 1 liang, Glycyrrhiza uralensis 2 qian. Grind into powder and lick (from *Jingyan Liangfang*).

Threatened miscarriage with bleeding: Rhizoma Alpiniae Oxyphyllae kernel half liang, Amomi Fructus Rotundus 1 liang. Pulverize. Take 3 qian per dose, administered on an empty stomach with plain boiled water, twice daily (Hu Shi's *Ji Yin Fang*).