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Jizhi (alias for Platycodonis Radix, specifically from Runzhou)
Platycodonis Radix from Hezhou
Jizhi (alias for Platycodonis Radix, specifically from Shuzhou)

Pungent, bitter; slightly warm in nature. The flavor is strong while the qi is light, belonging to yang within yin, with slight toxicity. Although abundant in Mount Song, it is also common near roadsides. Harvest the roots after the Autumn Equinox; those with a bitter taste are used medicinally. Remove the radicle and aerial parts completely, soak in rice washing water overnight, then dry by baking. Enters the Lung and Gallbladder meridians of both the hand and foot. It is incompatible with Bletillae Rhizoma (Baiji), Longan Aril (Longyanrou), and Gentianae Radix (Longdan). It opens the chest and diaphragm, eliminates upper jiao qi stagnation, clears the head and eyes, and disperses exterior cold pathogens. It drives away stabbing pain under the ribs and unblocks nasal congestion. For urgent sore throat and swelling, seek it out immediately; for evil qi and gu poison, rely on it. It purges lung heat, stops cough, and expels phlegm; treats lung abscess by expelling pus and nourishing blood.
It also dissipates anger and especially treats palpitations (Zhengchong). When used together with Guolao (Licorice Root, Gancao), it acts as a "vessel agent" (Zhouji zhi ji), carrying other herbs upward to prevent them from sinking, and guiding General (Rhubarb Radix, Dahuang) to ascend. It resolves pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, and elevates men's blood and qi.

Another variety called Jizhi has a sweet flavor and cold nature. It grows in valleys everywhere; its seedlings resemble Platycodonis Radix. Its root is very sweet and delicious, capable of being passed off as Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen). Locals steam and flatten it to sell as Ginseng; this is exactly that substance. It is good at resolving various toxins but has no other efficacy. Crushed and applied externally for snake and insect bites; taken raw for drug poisoning. If stored together with toxic substances, its own toxicity naturally dissipates. Wild boars injured by poisoned arrows often survive by eating this plant.

Gualou from Hengzhou
The name of Gualou Root
Gualou from Junzhou

Bitter, sweet; cold in nature. The flavor is strong while the qi is thin, belonging to earth containing water, thus yin. Non-toxic. It sprouts in spring in remote mountainous areas; the seedling is a vine that extends long. Leaves are forked and hairy (resembling Benincasae Fructus leaves). Flowers are pale yellow with six petals (resembling Lagenariae Sicerariae Flos). Fruits are fist-sized, turning from green to reddish-yellow. Those with yellow skin, small pedicel, and round shape are named "Gua"; those with red skin, thick/sharp/long pedicel are named "Lou". Although names differ, indications and treatments are the same. Harvest after Frost Descent, crush whole fruits.
Alternatively, mix with Clam Shell Powder (Ge Li Fen) (select purple-edged clams, grind 1 jin Gualou and 0.5 jin Ge Li Fen), or mix with Alum powder (Mingfan) (1 jin Gualou and 4 liang Mingfan). Store each in new tiles, place in windy and sunny spots, wait until very dry, then grind into fine powder. The one with Alum is called Rusheng Dan, made into pills using Ginger Juice paste. (Swallow with Fresh Ginger Decoction, from He Liangbi's formula.) The one with Clam Shell Powder is called Shengzhen Haifen, prepare enough for one year's use. (From *Zhuzheng Bianyi*). Both primarily treat phlegm-wheezing, cough, and asthma; divine efficacy is obtained immediately upon ingestion.
Extract seeds, shell them, and press the kernels to extract oil. (Wrap in thick paper, press with bricks to extract oil.) Do this only once to avoid causing nausea; do not repeat multiple times to preserve the herb's moistening property. It is incompatible with Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), Dried Lacquer (Ganqi), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi), and Aconiti Radix (Wutou). It clashes with Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Ganjiang) and is compatible with Lycii Cortex (Gouqi). Sweet flavor rapidly tonifies Lung; moistening nature effectively directs qi downward. It cleanses filth and opens stagnation, hence essential for Cold Damage Jie Xiong (chest binding); it subdues fire and descends phlegm, hence sought for deficiency consumptive coughs. It relieves thirst, generates fluids, beautifies skin, and removes wrinkles. Promotes lactation: fry kernels until fragrant, make into powder, take with wine. (Fry kernels until fragrant and cooked, make into powder, mix with one spoonful of wine, lie on back for a short time.) Stops various bleeding: stir-fry and add to decoctions. (Treats all blood disorders.) Crush stems and leaves, extract juice, boil concentrated, effective for summerheat stroke.
Additionally, Tianhuafen is the root of Gualou. Dig deep, sun-dry, scrape off rough skin, slice cleanly. Excellent at moistening central dryness and thirst, greatly descending upper diaphragm hot phlegm. Expels pus for swellings/toxins, promotes flesh regeneration for ulcers. Resolves traumatic blood stasis, removes epidemic heat mania. Drives out alcohol jaundice, removes yellowing of body and face. Regulates menstruation, stops frequent urination. Also treats unilateral hernia: soak in wine, simmer slightly. Take according to method; pain relief is swift as if robbed. (First, wrap scrotum warmly in brocade bag; take 5 qian Tianhuafen soaked in one bowl of pure wine from morning to afternoon, simmer gently, expose to night dew under the sky, next morning sit on low stool, hands on knees, drink down for cure; if ineffective, take another dose.) Make into powder, mix with porridge for daily consumption, also moistens dryness and tonifies deficiency.