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(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])

[Names] Chao Gou Zi (from *Bencao Shiyi*), Tian Zhu Zi.
Li Rui stated: Gou Li is the same as Tian Zhu Zi.
Li Shizhen stated: The characters "Gou" and "Zhu" have similar pronunciations in local dialects. Its appearance resembles that of an oak tree, so it should be written as "Gou Li".

[Collected Explanations] Chen Zangqi stated: Gou Li grows in the valleys of Jiangnan. The trees are several feet thick in circumference, do not shed leaves in winter, and its fruits resemble chestnuts but are rounder and smaller. There is also a fruit called Que Zi, which is similar in shape but round and black; long-term consumption prevents hunger. For details, see the entry under Zhu Zi.

Kernel
[Properties and Flavors] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Consumption prevents hunger, thickens the intestines and stomach, and makes one fat and strong (Chen Zangqi).

(Pronounced like "Xiang". From *Tang Bencao*)
[Correction] Moved from the Wood section.
[Names] Xiang Dou (from *Shuowen Jiezi*), Zao Dou (same), Li (pronounced Li Qiu), Zuo Zi (pronounced Zuo), (Same as "Zhu". Xu, Shu).
Tao Hongjing stated: According to *Erya*: Xu is Zhu. It also says: Li, its fruit is . Sun Yan's annotation states: Xu is also called Zhu. Li is a tree similar to Chu. , the housing for the fruit. Its fruit is named Xiang, wrapped by . The *Book of Songs · Tang Feng* says: Gathering on lush Xu trees. The *Book of Songs · Qin Feng* says: Mountains have lush Li trees. Lu Ji's annotation states: This is Zuo Li. People in Qin call it Li, people in Xu call it Zhu, or sometimes Xu. Its fruit is called Zao, also Zao Dou. Its shell can be boiled to extract juice for dyeing black cloth. Currently, in the capital Luoyang and Henei regions, it is also called Zhu. This is likely a common term across regions, referring to the same object.
Li Shizhen stated: Li is Zuo wood. Its true names are Xiang Dou and Zao Dou, because its bowl-like shell resembles a dou (a measuring vessel) and can be used to dye black cloth. Southerners pronounce Zao similarly to Zuo, hence the phonetic similarity.

[Collected Explanations] Su Song stated: Xiang Shi are the seeds of the Li tree. They grow in valleys everywhere. The trees are two to three zhang high. They bloom yellow flowers in the third and fourth months and bear fruit in the eighth and ninth months. Their fruit is called Zao Dou. Both Hu and Li trees have shell casings, but those of Li are superior.
Kou Zongshi stated: Li leaves resemble chestnut leaves and are found everywhere. The wood is hard but unsuitable for construction materials, which is its nature. However, when made into charcoal, no other wood compares. Although its shells can dye black cloth, if exposed to rain, the color becomes pale. Hu trees also have shells, but they are smaller and inferior to those of Li.
Li Shizhen stated: There are two types of Li trees: one that does not bear fruit, named , with red heartwood, as mentioned in the *Book of Songs*: "Se bi Zuo "; the other bears fruit, named Xu, and its fruit is Xiang. When young, both types have upright branches; when old, their branches become curved. The leaves resemble Zhu leaves, with diagonal vein patterns. They bloom yellow flowers like chestnuts in the fourth and fifth months. The fruit resembles lychee pits but has a point. The calyx forms a cup-shaped casing covering half the fruit. The kernel resembles old lotus meat. Mountain people harvest it during famine years for food, or crush and soak it to extract starch. In abundant years, it can be used to fatten pigs. Northerners also cultivate it. The trees are two to three zhang high, solid, heavy, with spotted grain patterns. Large ones can serve as pillars and beams; small ones serve as firewood and charcoal. The *Rites of Zhou · Zhifang Shi* records: "Forests and mountains are suitable for producing substances for dyeing, such as Zuo and Li," referring to this. Its tender leaves can be decocted as tea.

Fruit
[Processing] Lei Xiao stated: Harvest after frost, remove shells, steam from Si hour to Wei hour, cut into five pieces, and dry in the sun for use.
King Ding of Zhou stated: Take the nuts, change the water, soak fifteen times, wash away the astringent taste, steam until thoroughly cooked, and eat to relieve hunger.
[Properties and Flavors] Bitter, slightly warm, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats dysentery, thickens the intestines and stomach, and promotes robustness (Su Gong). Astringes the intestines and stops diarrhea. Boiled and eaten, it relieves hunger and sustains during lean years (Zhu Danxi/Daming).
[Elucidation] Sun Simiao stated: Xiang Zi is neither a fruit nor a grain yet is most beneficial to humans. When fasting from grains is difficult, eating it is excellent. It absorbs Qi without having a distinct odor, absorbs flavor without having a distinct taste, aids digestion, stops dysentery, and strengthens the body without causing exhaustion.
Li Shizhen stated: Fruits from trees are called Guo; Xiang is likely a type of Guo. During famines, people collect it to stave off hunger. Previously, Zhi Yu entered the Southern Mountains, was very hungry, and ate collected Xiang Shi; Du Fu, while residing in Qinzhou during the Tang Dynasty, gathered Xiang and Li to sustain himself. These examples confirm this practice.
[Attached Prescriptions] Five new prescriptions.
Water and grain dysentery, defecating over a hundred times day and night: Two liang of Xiang Shi, one liang of Chu Ye (roasted). Grind into powder. Take one qian before meals, mixed with Wu Mei Tang (Dark Plum Decoction).
Incessant bloody dysentery: Add half a liang of Suo Sha Ren to the above prescription.
Dysentery with rectal prolapse: Roast Xiang Dou Zi until carbonized (preserve nature). Grind into powder. Mix with lard and apply externally (*Zhizhi Fang*).
Hemorrhoidal bleeding: One sheng each of Xiang Zi powder and Glutinous Rice Flour. Stir-fry until yellow, mix with boiling water to form dumpling-like shapes, steam over rice, and eat. Effect seen within four or five doses. (Li Lou *Qifang*). Hard stone abscesses that do not suppurate: Use one Xiang Zi, grind with vinegar on a bluestone to make juice, and apply. Change when dry; effect achieved within ten applications.

Shell Casing
[Processing] Zhu Danxi (Daming) stated: For medicinal use, crush finely, stir-fry until charred or roast until carbonized (preserve nature), then grind into powder.
[Properties and Flavors] Astringent, warm, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] As a powder or decoction, it stops dysentery. Can also be used for dyeing black cloth (Su Gong). Treats intestinal wind, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, and cold-heat diarrhea.
And
[Attached Prescriptions] Five new prescriptions.
Dysentery with rectal prolapse: Roast Xiang Dou Qiao until carbonized, grind into powder. Mix with lard for external application, and decoct for washing (*Zhizhi Fang*).
Intestinal wind with bleeding: Fill Xiang Dou Zi shells with white plum flesh, bind two shells together with iron wire, calcine until carbonized, grind into powder. Take two qian, washed down with rice drink. Another method: Fill with sulfur, calcine, grind, and take with wine. (Yu Jushi *Xuanqifang*).
Malignant gum disease (Zouma Yagan): Fill Xiang Dou Qiao with salt, seal tightly, roast thoroughly, remove fire toxicity, grind into powder, add a little Musk. Rinse mouth with rice water first, then apply (*Quanyou Xinjian*).
Wind-worm toothache: Five Xiang Dou (with salt inside), one Gleditsia Sinensis pod (with salt inside). Calcine together, grind into powder. Rub on teeth three to five times daily.

Bark and Root Bark (from *Bencao Shiyi*)
[Properties and Flavors] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats malignant sores and swelling caused by exposure to wind and dew; decoct and wash daily until pus and blood cease; also treats dysentery (Chen Zangqi). Stops watery dysentery, resolves scrofula (Zhu Danxi/Daming).
[Attached Prescriptions] One new prescription.
Ulcerated abscesses, swellings, warts, and moles: Four dou of Zuo Li wood ash, four dou of mulberry branch ash, one dou and five sheng of smelted lime. Moisten with boiling water, steam in a steamer for one day. Take seven dou of boiling water from the pot below, filter through the ash in the steamer to obtain juice, boil down to one sheng. Add a chicken-egg-sized amount of tangled hair until dissolved, then add cut colorful silk threads until dissolved. Store in a bottle, sealed tightly. Apply a small amount to punctured lesions. Do not let chickens, dogs, women, or children see the preparation process (*Puji Fang*).