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[Pipae Folium]
The taste is slightly pungent and bitter, followed by a slight sweetness. The qi is thin while the flavor is strong; it belongs to Yin within Yang, possessing a descending nature. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Its nature is good at descending Qi.

It treats sudden persistent hiccups (stuttering), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) with regurgitation, and cough due to Lung Heat. It also treats thirst disorders and dry mouth in women after childbirth. It harmonizes the Stomach, descends rebellious Qi, clears Heat, and resolves summer-heat toxicity.

For cases of *Hong Kong foot* (gouty arthritis) with rebellious upward rushing: Pipae Folium inherits the clear and cold Qi of Heaven and Earth, remaining evergreen throughout the four seasons. Its taste is bitter, and its nature is Ping (neutral/cool). As stated in the Classics: "All rebellious upward rushing symptoms belong to Fire." When Fire Qi flares upward, it causes sudden persistent hiccups. Since this leaf's nature is good at descending Qi, when Qi descends, Fire subsides and Phlegm flows smoothly, so that those who vomit stop vomiting, those who are thirsty stop being thirsty, those who cough stop coughing, and those with rebellious rushing stop rushing.

A woman suffered from chronic cough due to Lung Heat, her body felt as hot as if roasted by fire, and she was emaciated, on the verge of developing Consumption (Lao disease). Using equal parts of Pipae Folium, Tectonae Herba (Mu Tong), Jionghua Flos (Kuan Dong Hua), Asteris Radix et Rhizoma (Zi Wan), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xing Ren), and Morus Cortex (Sang Bai Pi), with half the amount of Rheum Radix et Rhizoma (Da Huang), these were processed into powder and formed into pills the size of cherries using honey. One pill was held in the mouth to dissolve after meals and before sleep. The illness was cured before the course of medication was finished.

When combined with Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di), Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Cao), Lycii Fructus (Gou Qi), Mori Cortex (Sang Pi), Imperatae Rhizoma (Mao Gen), Asparagi Radix (Tian Dong), Perillae Fructus (Su Zi), Schisandrae Fructus (Wu Wei Zi), Trichosanthis Radix (Gua Lou Gen), and infant urine (Tong Bian), it treats Cough and Hemoptysis due to Yin Deficiency.

When combined with Bamboo Ramenta (Zhu Ru), Papayae Fructus (Mu Gua), Reishi Juice (Lu Gen Zhi), Dendrobii Caulis (Shi Hu), Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen), Poria (Fu Ling), it treats Vomiting due to Stomach Heat.

When added with infant urine (Tong Bian), human milk (Ren Ru), Phragmitis Rhizoma Juice (Zhu Li), Perillae Fructus (Su Zi), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao), and Saccharum Japonicae Juice (Zhe Jiang), it treats Dysphagia (Ye Ge) and Regurgitation (Fan Wei).

Conversely, for Stomach Cold vomiting and Wind-Cold cough, it should be avoided. (Zhong Chun)

[Processing]
Freshly harvested Pipae Folium weighs one liang per leaf; dried leaves weigh one liang per three leaves, which indicates sufficient Qi. Wipe off all hairs on the underside of the leaf with coarse cloth, then wash with Licorice Decoction.

[Hugtao Ren]
The taste is sweet, neutral, and warm. It enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. It primarily nourishes the Lung, benefits the San Jiao, moistens blood vessels, tonifies the Kidney, and benefits the Ming Men (Gate of Life). It treats asthmatic cough due to deficiency-cold, transforms Phlegm, promotes urination, and can also treat urinary frequency. It treats trauma and Stone Lin (lithiasis). Taking a single dose without peeling the skin and eating it on an empty stomach best consolidates Essence. Taken with Psoraleae Fructus (Pogu Zhi/Bu Gu Zhi) in honey pills, it tonifies the Lower Jiao. Since Hugtao Ren belongs to Wood, and Psoraleae Fructus belongs to Fire, their combination creates the wonderful effect of Wood generating Fire. (Han Zhihe)

Compiled by Hong: A child suffered from Phlegm-Asthma, unable to eat or drink for five days and nights. His wife dreamed that Guanyin instructed her to administer Ginseng and Walnut Decoction (Renshen Hugtao Tang). After decocting a small amount equivalent to a clam shell, he was force-fed it, and his asthma subsided. The next day, using only the walnut skin, the asthma returned. Using the nut with the skin again, he recovered after two nights.

To resolve Phlegm and stop cough: Chew three pieces of Walnut Meat and three slices of Ginger before bed, swallow with two or three sips of water, then chew the walnut and ginger again as before, and lie down quietly. It will surely heal.

Combined with Psoraleae Fructus, Tribuli Fructus, Nelumbinis Stamen, Cervus Cornu Detestatum, Ophiopogonis Radix, Morinda Officinalis Radix, Corni Fructus, Schisandrae Fructus, and Rubi Fructus, it tonifies the Kidney.

(Cause) leading to Water weakness and Fire excess, dry mouth and tongue, and Essence depletion. Walnut Meat and Poria each four liang, one Aconite Root (Fuzi), taken with Rice Decoction. For elderly people with asthmatic cough, shortness of breath, and restlessness in sleep, add a little refined honey, form into pills the size of a bullet, decoct 0.7 fen before sleep, take in one dose.

For persistent chronic cough: Soak Walnut in water, peel, grind evenly, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of Chinese cabbage seeds. If stones are present inside, use one sheng of Walnut Meat, taken with fine wine; effective within no more than three doses. For Fish Mouth Abscess (Yukou Biandu), take it; defecate once or twice, pus will discharge through the stool. Grind with Apricot Seeds (Ju He) and take with wine; it tonifies the Kidney and treats lower back pain.

[Discussion]
Winter Qi closes and stores; Summer Qi flourishes and shows. The Qi of herbs and trees responds to each season. However, Pipae blooms white flowers in deep winter and bears yellow fruit in mid-summer. This is because it possesses Central Qi to calm Hyperactive Fire. Those who do not descend become Heat, occurring mostly in the Middle Jiao. Therefore, Stomach Cold vomiting and Wind-Cold cough are contraindicated. (Zhong Chun)

[Discussion]
Hugtao Ren resembles the shape of the Ming Men (Gate of Life). Its outer skin and sap are green-black, enabling it to enter the North and connect to the Ming Men. The Ming Men is originally Yang within Yin, connecting upward to the Lung. Treating Stone Lin, restoring Righteous Qi to wrap [the essence]. More importantly, it generates Yang from Yin. Since the Ming Men governs Qi, generating Yin from Yang is equivalent to enriching Yang from Yin. Thus, it cannot be said merely to tonify Yang; it also tonifies Marrow. Generally, combined with Psoraleae Fructus to tonify Marrow, the efficacy of this substance accounts for more than half. (Qing'e Wan uses ten liang of Psoraleae Fructus; thus it is known that this pill tonifies Marrow, and one can know which ingredient holds the superior role.) The Classics state: "When Essence is formed, Brain Marrow is generated." Essentially, Essence is a transformation of Yang within Yin, and is formed by Yang within Yin, pulsating from Qi. Cultivators say "When Qi is abundant, Essence is full," which is not separate from Yin. Hence it is also said: "When Essence is full, Qi is abundant." Essence and Qi are mutually rooted and mutually beneficial. Therefore, Psoraleae Fructus without Walnut is like a jellyfish without a shrimp.