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(From *Tang Bencao*)

[Names] Hezi (Chebula Fruit).
Li Shizhen states: "Helile" is a Sanskrit term meaning "given by the Heavenly Master."

[Collection and Explanation] Su Gong states: Helile grows in Jiaozhou and Aizhou.
Su Song states: It is now found throughout the Lingnan region, with Guangzhou having the highest yield. The tree resembles *Hura crepitans* (Sandbox Tree), and its flowers are white. The fruit resembles Gardenia or Olive, is yellowish-green, and the peel adheres closely to the flesh. It is harvested when ripe in July and August; those with six ridges are superior. *Lingnan Yiwu Zhi* records:
Those that are extremely small and not astringent all have six ridges. Each year, the prefecture pays tribute only using those from this temple. The temple has an ancient well; dipping tree roots into the water makes it tasteless/sweet. Whenever the fruit ripens and distinguished guests arrive, the monks decoct soup to entertain them. The method uses five freshly picked Chebula fruits, one cun of Licorice Root (*Gancao*), broken apart, drawn well water, and decocted together until the color resembles new tea. This temple is now known as Ganming Ancient Temple, still existing, with six or seven old trees remaining. The customs in Nanhai
must strictly follow the methods of the past. When Chebula is unripe, those blown down by the wind are called "Suifengzi," dried and stored; smaller ones are better, and locals treasure them highly.
Gegebitou ye (Note: Likely refers to specific morphological description or variant name). If Helile has only six ridges, or more or fewer, they are mixed-ridge Le,
known as Langjing Le, too astringent to be usable.

[Processing] Lei Xiao states: When using Helile, soak in wine, then steam for one *fushi* (approx. 2 hours). Scrape off the ridges with a knife, take the flesh, cut, and roast before use. If using the seed, remove the flesh.

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, warm, non-toxic. Zhen Quan states: Bitter, sweet.
Xiao Bing states: Bitter, sour. Lei Xiao states: Sour, astringent, warm.
Li Haogu states: Bitter, sour, neutral. With bitter heavy and sour light, the flavor is strong, belonging to Yin, and descending.

[Indications] Cold qi, abdominal distension and fullness, promotes digestion/appetite (*Tang Bencao*).
Breaks up Qi stagnation in the chest and diaphragm, promotes fluid circulation, stops urinary flow issues, darkens beard and hair (Zhen Quan).
Expels accumulated matter, stops chronic diarrhea, dysentery (red and white) (Xiao Bing). Resolves phlegm, directs Qi downward, transforms food, opens the stomach, relieves irritability and regulates water metabolism, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, stops vomiting and cholera, deficiency-pain in heart and abdomen, Ben Tun (running piglet) kidney Qi rebellion, lung asthma and rapid breathing, Five Ge Qi (obstructions), intestinal wind bleeding, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, pregnancy leakage, fetal restlessness about to deliver, distension and stifling sensation with asthma. For all dysentery patients with urgent anal pain, postpartum vaginal pain, combine with wax, burn to smoke fumigate, or decoct for fumigation and washing (Meng Shen).
Treats phlegm-cough and throat obstruction; holding three to five pieces in the mouth yields excellent results (Su Song). Firms the Large Intestine, astringes Lung Qi.

[Elucidation] Kou Zongshi states: Even those with Qi deficiency should slowly roast Helile and take small doses. Although this herb astringes the intestines, it also dissipates Qi due to its bitter-astringent flavor.
For those with Qi excess, it has the function of descending fire.
Li Shizhen states: When used with Wumei (Mume Fruit) and Wubeizi (Chinese Gallnut), it has an astringent effect; when used with Ju Pi (Citrus Peel) and Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), it directs Qi downward; when used with Renshen (Ginseng Root), it tonifies the Lung and treats cough.
Li Dongyuan's claim that cough medicines do not use Helile is incorrect. However, for recent-onset coughs, it should not be used abruptly. Ji Han's *Caomu Zhuang* records that drinking it long-term
can darken the beard.
Some say: Helile peel treats cough, flesh treats eye dryness and pain. Persians carried Helile and Dufupi (Areca Peel) on ships to prevent emergencies. If a large fish excretes slippery mucus blocking the water for miles, preventing boat passage, boiling these herbs to wash away the mucus quickly dissolves it, demonstrating its power to regulate Qi and resolve phlegm.
Shen Wei states: *Jin Guang Ming Jing* (Golden Light Sutra) in the chapter "Water Flowing Elder Son Removing Illness" records: For heat diseases, take Helile as a medicine. Also, *Guang Yi Ji* records:
Gao Xianzhi obtained Helile in the Dashi country, five inches long. Placing it in his sash caused abdominal pain and severe diarrhea over ten times. He suspected Helile was causing harm.
Later he asked a Dashi elder. The elder said: Carrying this item eliminates all diseases; diarrhea indicates the expulsion of evil matter. Gao treasured it, but later was executed, and its whereabouts were lost.
Su Song states: Helile treats dysentery, which is not recorded in *Tang Bencao*. Zhang Zhongjing had formulas for treating Qi dysentery. Liu Yuxi's *Chuanxin Fang* records: I suffered from red and white dysentery. Having taken various medicines for a long time without cure, it turned into white pus. General Linghu transmitted this formula: Use three Helile fruits, half roasted, half raw. Take all the peel, powder it, and take with one he of boiling water. If it is purely watery dysentery, add one qianbi of Licorice powder; if slightly purulent and bloody, add two qianbi; if mostly blood, add three qianbi.

[Attached Formulas] Ten old formulas, five new formulas.
Direct Qi downward and transform food: One He Li powdered, decocted in one sheng of water in a pottery vessel for three to two boils. Add medicine, decoct for three to five more boils until color resembles yeast dust. Add a little salt and drink. (*Shiyi Xinjing*).
All Qi disorders and undigested food: One He Li, hold in mouth at night, chew and swallow by morning. Another formula: Three He Li, wrapped in wet paper, roasted until cooked, remove seeds, chew finely, swallow with cow milk. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Chronic Qi cough: Hold one raw He Li in mouth and swallow juice. After recovery, if taste is lost, decoct one bowl of Betel Nut soup and drink; taste returns immediately. This is from Zhilianzhou.
Rebellious vomiting and inability to eat: Two liang of He Li peel. Stir-fry, powder, make pills with paste size of Sophora seeds. Take twenty pills on empty stomach with water, three times daily. (*Guangji Fang*).
Wind-phlegm cholera, indigestion, constipation: Three He Li, take peel, powder. Mix with wine and take at once. Three to five times is excellent. (*Waitai Miyao*).
Pediatric cholera: One He Li, powder. Take half with boiling water; if not stopped, take again. (*Zimu Milu*).
Pediatric wind-phlegm obstruction, inability to speak, shortness of breath, stifling sensation, shaking limbs: He Zi (half raw, half roasted, remove seed) and Dafupi in equal parts. Decoct in water and drink. Named Ersheng San. (*Quanyou Xinjian*).
Wind-heat rushing to head, heat stifling: Two He Li (powder), one qian Manganese Nitrate (Mangxiao). Mix in vinegar, stir to dissolve, rub on hot areas. (*Waitai Miyao*).
Qi dysentery and watery diarrhea: Ten He Li wrapped in flour, roasted over charcoal until cooked, remove seed, powder. Take at once with rice gruel. Can also be made into rice pills. Add one part Mu Xiang.
Another long-term use formula: Helile, aged Citrus Peel, and Magnolia Bark, each three liang. Pound and sieve, honey pills size of Sophora seeds. Take 20-30 pills at a time with plain water.
(*Tujing Bencao*).
Watery diarrhea and dysentery: Roasted Helile two parts, Myristica Seed one part, powder. Take two qian per dose with rice drink. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Dysentery turning white: Three He Zi, half roasted half raw, powder. Mix with boiling water and take.
For watery dysentery, add one qian Licorice powder. (*Pujifang*).
Red and white dysentery: Twelve He Zi, six raw six roasted, remove seed, roast and powder. Red dysentery: take with raw Licorice soup; White dysentery: take with roasted Licorice soup. Cure within two doses. (Zhao Yuanyang *Jiji Fang*).
Pruritus ani and genital sores: Burn large He Zi to ash, add a little Musk. Wash lesion with rice water first, then apply. Alternatively, decoct Schizonepeta, Phellodendron, Licorice, Verbena, and Green Onion white for washing. Formerly, alchemist Zhou Shouzhen cured Tang Jing's rotting penis tip of one to two cun using this method successfully. (Hong Mai *Yijian Zhi*)

[Seed]
[Indications] Grind with white honey and apply to eyes to remove wind-induced redness, dryness, and pain; divine efficacy (Su Song).
Stop cough and treat dysentery (Li Shizhen).

[Leaf]
[Indications] Direct Qi downward, resolve phlegm, stop thirst and treat diarrhea/dysentery. Decoct and drink; efficacy same as Helile (Li Shizhen. Tang Dynasty Bao Ji wrote poem "Thanking Official Li for Gift of Helile Leaves during Illness").