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Originally green. Stored in vessels, they naturally turn red and ripe, known as raw persimmons (Sheng Shi). Take large persimmons, peel them, flatten them, sun-dry and dew-expose until dry, then place in earthenware jars. Wait for a white frost to form on the surface, then take them out; this is called white persimmon (Bai Shi), commonly referred to as dried persimmon cakes (Shi Bing). Both forms are suitable for treating diseases. Raw persimmons have a cold nature; when sun-dried into persimmon cakes, their cold nature is slightly mitigated. One should adjust usage according to the syndrome to counterbalance it.

The taste is sweet, neutral, and astringent; the nature is cold. It enters the blood aspect of the Hand and Foot Taiyin meridians. It benefits the stomach (treating phlegm-heat in the Upper Jiao, allowing the stomach to first receive the benefit of its sweet and cold properties), binds the intestines, and has the functions of resolving phlegm, stopping cough, and stopping bleeding.

Persimmon cakes have a slightly reduced cold nature.

For patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding lasting ten years, mix other herbs, decoct evenly, add persimmon cakes, and continue boiling.

Alternatively, steam until cooked, break open, decoct in water, and drink daily.

Persimmon frost (Shi Shuang) clears various heat pathogens in the Heart and Lungs of the Upper Jiao, generates fluids, stops thirst, calms cough, resolves phlegm, and treats sores and pain in the throat, mouth, and tongue. It excels at clearing and purging fire pathogens in the Upper Jiao and also strengthens the Spleen and benefits the Stomach. Combined with Bai Pi (Cortex Mori Radicis), Bai Bu (Radix Stemonae), Tian Dong (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae), Mai Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis), Sha Shen (Radix Glehniae or Adenophorae), Bei Mu (Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae), Su Zi (Fructus Perillae), Pi Pa Ye (Folium Eriobotryae), Ju Hong (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), and Gua Lou Gen (Radix Trichosanthis), processed into pills for sucking, it treats cough with phlegm caused by fire in the Lung meridian.

[Discussion] The persimmon tree flowers and sets fruit in April, ripening only in August or September. This indicates it exclusively receives the Qi of Metal. Danxi stated that it belongs to Metal but contains Earth, primarily due to its significant function of benefiting the stomach. Its Qi moves toward the Stomach, causing Heaven Qi and Grain Qi to separate and then combine within the body. The Qi received by the Lungs and Stomuns merges into one, generating transformation within, thereby nourishing the Heart and Lungs of the Upper Jiao. If the Stomach is affected by hyperactive Yang Qi, its sweet and cold nature should be used to counterbalance it. However, the aforementioned benefits of opening the stomach, resolving phlegm, stopping thirst, arresting hot coughs, treating lung abscesses (Fei Wei), and moistening dryness are all clear evidence of Qi and Blood flowing through and conforming to the celestial cycles. Improper consumption may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. (Persimmon calyx [Shi Di] has a sour/astringent and neutral taste; Meng Shen advocated it for treating hiccups and belching.)

[Discussion] Persimmon calyx exclusively receives the Qi of Metal for contraction, with the function of descending Qi. Materia Medica records it as astringent and neutral. Astringency represents the Qi of contraction, while neutrality represents Yang returning to Yin, corresponding to the season of Autumn. For bleeding conditions, treatment should be administered according to the etiology, and the formulas follow this principle...