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Wushi Zi (Galla Chinensis), also known as Meishi Zi, originates from Persia and various regions of Dashi. The galls perforated by insects are used in medicine.

It is bitter in taste and warm in nature. It primarily warms the middle jiao and harmonizes qi, nourishes blood, generates essence, and darkens beard and hair. It treats intestinal deficiency-cold dysentery, yin sores, yin sweating, yin-toxic impotence (used after being calcined to ash), rectal prolapse, and dental diseases. For pediatric malnutrition accompanied by cold, slippery diarrhea that cannot be controlled, it is a crucial herb for consolidating and astringing essence and qi. When combined with Lotus Stamen (Lianxu), Ligustrum Lucidum Fruit (Nvzhenzi), Myrsine Officinalis Root Bark (Nanzhu), Lycium Chinense Fruit (Gouqi), Polygonum Multiflorum Root (Shouwu), Rehmannia Glutinosa Root (Dihuang), Polygonatum Sibiricum Rhizome (Huangjing), Eclipta Prostrata Herb (Hanliancao), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu), and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), it can darken beard and hair. When combined with Oyster Shell (Muli), Raspberry (Fupenzi), Schisandra Chinensis Fruit (Wuweizi), Lycium Chinense Fruit (Gouqi), Plantago Asiatica Seed (Cheqianzi), Rehmannia Glutinosa Root (Dihuang), Lotus Stamen (Lianxu), Dragon Bone (Longgu), Deer Antler (Lurong), Astragalus Complanatus Seed (Shayuanzi), Fish Swim Bladder (Yubiao), Amomum Villosum Seed (Sharen), and Phellodendron Amurense Bark (Huangbai), it can tonify and benefit essence and qi, treating nocturnal emission and seminal leakage.

For unremitting bloody dysentery: Take 1 liang of Wushi Zi, grind into fine powder, make pills the size of small beans using rice paste, take before meals, and swallow 50 pills with rice water.

For postpartum dysentery: Take one Wushi Zi, calcine until the carbonized state remains (burnt but retaining efficacy), grind into powder, and administer with wine; if heat signs are present, immediately administer with liquid drink, twice daily.

For pediatric cold accumulation diarrhea: Take 2 qian 5 fen each of Wushi Zi, Aucklandia Root (Muxiang), Coptis Chinensis Rhizome (Huanglian), Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui), and Tangerine Peel (Qingpi), and 1 fen of Asafoetida Resin (awei). Dissolve in wine, add a little flour, mix evenly, and form paste pills.

For yin sweating: Calcine Wushi Zi to ash. First bathe the affected area with hot water, then wrap the ash in cloth and apply/pat it onto the skin. This is very effective.

[Discussion]
Wushi Zi benefits yin and has an astringent property, which differs from Nutmeg (Roudoukou) that benefits qi and has an astringent property. Therefore, it is most suitable for treating bloody dysentery and postpartum dysentery in women. However, its flavor is bitter and warm, taking advantage of its ability to directly benefit the qi within yin, serving as the source for generating blood and the foundation for transforming essence. (For instance, cold dysentery and uncontrollable cold slippery diarrhea may stop due to the benefit of yin qi; this can be termed astringency, although fundamentally, its action is not primarily based on astringency.) Li Yan stated that Wushi Zi treats yin-toxic impotence. It is well known that yang qi aggregation forms toxicity. Now, stating that impotence arises from yin toxicity implies that true yin fails to perform its transformative functions, leading to aggregation and toxicity formation. The Classics state: The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) both originate from the uterus, ascend along the interior of the back, and serve as the sea of meridians. Their branches floating outward ascend along the right side of the abdomen, meet at the throat, and branch off to connect with the lips and mouth. When blood and qi are abundant, they fill the skin and warm the flesh; when blood is particularly abundant, it permeates the skin and generates body hair. The use of this herb is a key remedy for darkening beard and hair, greatly benefiting the Chong and Ren vessels. One can refer to the principles of "abundant blood and qi filling skin and warming flesh" and "excess blood permeating skin and generating hair" to understand the efficacy of nourishing blood and generating essence. The human body is divided into yang qi and yin qi. This herb can tonify yin qi, serving as the foundation for nourishing blood and generating essence.

It should not be used for patients with damp-heat stagnation in the intestines and stomach causing red-and-white dysentery accompanied by significant food stagnation. (Commentary by Zhong Chun)

[Processing]
Select small grains without insect holes. Avoid contact with copper and iron vessels, and prevent exposure to sudden fire or shock. First, grind in a sand mortar using Jiangshui (fermented grain water), dry by roasting, and grind again. If it turns the color of black rhinoceros horn, it is ready for medicinal use.