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The young shoots of *Dichroa febrifuga* are named Shuqi (蜀漆, *Dichroae Radix*). Their therapeutic functions are identical.

(Dichroa) has a bitter and acrid taste, is cold in nature, and is toxic. It treats chills and fever caused by Cold Damage (Shanghan), as well as warm malaria with heat onset. It acts to forcibly expel phlegm and arrest malaria, drive out old phlegm and accumulated fluid retention, and dissipate mountainous miasma (shān lán zhàng qì).

Shuqi (蜀漆, *Dichroae Radix*)
Has an acrid and bitter taste, belongs to pure Yang, and is toxic. When used raw, its action moves upward and inevitably induces vomiting. If steamed or stir-fried with wine, its action becomes milder, and small doses will not cause vomiting.

It treats malaria, cough with rebellious Qi, chills and fever, hard masses in the abdomen, accumulations of pathogenic factors such as Jia (瘕聚, abdominal masses), and breaks blood stasis. Before use, the fishy smell must be washed away. It can be used together with bitter and sour herbs to guide Gallbladder pathogenic factors outward. (Cited from Zhang Jiegu) Miasma in Lingnan, contracted through chills and heat, mostly resides between Ying and Wei, skin, and flesh. To eliminate the root of miasma in the skin pores, nothing works better than Dichroa. However, since its nature induces vomiting, it should only be taken cold combined with Qibao San (Seven Treasures Powder); then vomiting will not occur, and efficacy is verified. (Cited from Li Zhai) In patients with malaria, phlegm-saliva and yellow fluids may stagnate under the heart or knot in the hypochondrium, generating chills and fever. The method requires using Dichroa to induce vomiting and expel them. Fluids in the Upper Jiao can be vomited out by Dichroa; fluids in the hypochondrium can be broken down and drained downward by Dichroa. However, blood-invigorating herbs are necessary as assistants to achieve perfect results. For cases of pure heat malaria or internal heat excess syndromes, administering Dichroa... [Text fragment missing/unintelligible].

[Discussion] The Classic states: "Summer injury by heat leads to intermittent fever in autumn." This implies that summer-heat is depressed within the meridians, and upon entering autumn, is constrained by wind-cold, causing Yin and Yang to contend... [Text fragment missing/unintelligible]. Regarding deficiency syndromes... treating summer-heat malaria... Sun An treated... when Yang Qi rises and heat subsides, this is an unchangeable principle. Within the meridians, thus it cannot resolve immediately. Only by opening depression and promoting ascending and dispersing actions can the meridians become smooth. As for diseases in the Yin division, then release via sweating. However, if using bitter, sweet, and cold herbs to promote ascending, one must ensure they were not previously used, or that Stomach Qi was not further damaged, so that Yin emerges with the assistance of Yang's ascending power. If it has not sunk to the point of... observing the complexion indicates summer-heat injuring the Blood division; using Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with bitter, acrid, and cold herbs resulted in healing after two days with lip sores appearing. This occurred... afterwards. Even tonifying Stomach agents, how could they be casually administered when pathogens remain stagnant? Mr. Miu's statement... is a definitive discussion. Danxi also said: If seeking sweat yields no sweat, and regulating blood yields insufficient sweat, one must seek further... to separate it from Yin-Yang entanglement and recover abruptly. This likely refers to the precise matching of medicine to pathology; even tonics... Dichroa is a coercive agent (Jie Ji), yet relying on it as the supreme wonder drug... shows profound ignorance. Some say: Without phlegm... phlegm-resolving herbs have their own seasonal administration methods, which yield cumulative effects like Mr. Miu's methods; why is this herb needed? ...accumulated fluids suit only those with robust form and Qi.

Mr. Miu believes that because Dichroa induces immediate vomiting, its nature is violent and fierce, most damaging to True Qi. Therefore, if malaria is not caused by miasma or old phlegm and accumulated fluids, do not use it.

[Differentiation and Treatment] Select specimens that are yellow in color and shaped like chicken bones for best quality. Raw use causes severe vomiting. Soak in wine for one day, then steam, stir-fry, or boil with vinegar.