以建平宜都及梓州龙州者为上。木皮鳞皱。肉浓色紫多液者。入药最良。
皮
味苦辛微甘。气大温。气味俱浓。其体重浊。阳中之阴。降也。入足太阴手足阳明经。
主治温中散结气。除胀满。（因其辛以提滞气）疏胃湿滞。治胃中冷逆呕吐。及腹疼泄利。
疗寒湿霍乱。化水谷。止吐酸水。除冷积。更同他药治湿热诸证及下痢。 性宜有毒。以其
得阳气之正。故无毒。（仲淳） 浓朴平胃除腹胀。若元气虚弱。虽胀。宜斟酌用之。误服
脱人元气。惟寒胀大热药中兼用。乃结者散之之神药也。（洁古） 气实人误服参 。胀闷
作喘。宜此泻之。（丹溪） 与枳实大黄同用。则泻实满。苦能下气也。与陈皮苍术同用。
则除湿满。温能益气也。与解利药同用则治伤寒头痛。与治痢药同用则浓肠胃。（海藏） 浓
朴辛热苦温之药。辛能散结。苦能燥湿。温热能祛风寒。所主诸证。何莫非肠胃气逆壅滞。
及痰饮留结。饮食生冷所致。至于益气浓肠胃。盖指邪气去正气自益。积滞消肠胃自浓之意。
非消散之外。复有补益之功也。（仲淳） 同陈皮枳壳麦芽山楂草果砂仁矾红。治伤食腹胀。
同苍术黄连橘皮甘草葛根白术。治湿热作泻。 同槟榔木香黄连滑石橘皮白芍甘草。治滞下
初起。 同白术人参白芍茯苓。消腹胀。 佐生姜陈皮藿香砂仁半夏。止胃寒呕吐。 同三
棱蓬术槟榔人参青皮。治积年冷癖坚块。 有患肠风下血。大便时鲜血四射。淋漓不止。年
久面色痿黄。腰痛腿酸。四肢无力。阳事痿弱。缘下血投苦寒剂经年。故致病剧也。先制煎
方服之。后照方倍加为两。作丸服效。姜朴五钱。神曲一钱。土炒白术一钱。炒麦芽一钱。
北五味一钱焙研。加陈黄米四十九粒。水二碗。煎八分。空心服。凡肠风下血者。多系脾胃
虚寒。不能摄血。服之皆效。虽酒客湿热下注放血者。服之亦效。按浓朴佐参术诸补剂。化
补中之滞以消胀。其义固然。兹方乃用以为君。白术止助其健运。五味稍敛其耗散。又有消
导之味。而取效于下血。可以思其用矣。
〔论〕 草木之四时不凋者。或得于纯阴。或得于纯阳。浓朴气味苦辛。色性赤烈。纯
阳之木也。其苦味应于花赤而皮紫。是味归于形。其形色紫赤应于气之温。是形归乎气。不
可想其纯阳而能散结之用欤。 （天地之气。至夏而阳盛阴衰。在气化应然。原非偏至之戾
气也。浓朴所谓纯阳。即禀乎此气。其能散元气者。亦如夏时之宣泄已极。非谓其辛热太甚
也。）夫苦能下泄。苦从乎温。则不下泄而温散。卢氏所云从内而外。以司夏出横偏之令者。
若苦合于寒。则直下泄。如枳壳辈是已。夫气之生化在中土。此味苦中觉有微甘。所以直归
中土而散结气。苦味从温。所以能就气分而散之。凡病乎寒湿之邪者。实为的对。其病乎湿
热者。有苦寒以清热燥湿。而假此苦温以散其结。亦罔不奏功。至先哲首以除胀满为言。惟
虚而无邪之胀满。不宜混用。若寒湿实邪。固其正治。即湿热为病。如浓味积热及外感郁热
者。亦实胀也。苦寒药中。可假浓朴以除之。或中气虚而患湿热。则必审虚与实。孰多孰少。
更审乎时之久暂。以定攻补之多少。此味又未可去也。如苦寒除邪之味多。而健脾者少。用
此散湿热之结。恐苦寒直攻。不能径散也。又如苦甘健脾之味多。而除热者少。用此化补益
之骤。恐苦甘径补。不能直受也。（湿热不宜纯甘。虚而有湿热者。宜于苦甘。） 即此推之
他证。凡可投浓朴者。悉如斯矣。 浓朴始尝味苦。苦中微甘。最后有辛。意非辛也。乃苦
温之余烈。俗所云麻味也。故以姜制之。犹制半夏之义耳。然则浓朴从苦温以散结。不若枳
壳从苦寒以泄滞矣。夫气以温热为升为补。而苦甚者。乃从升补中以散之。以寒凉为降为泄。
而苦甚者。乃从降泄中以导之。故浓朴之治。宜于寒。或宜于湿。而枳壳之治。宜于热。或
宜于燥。当各从其所对以投之。如施浓朴于燥热之结。犹可借从治以奏功。若施枳壳于寒湿。
是气本下而复降之。不惟无益而有害矣。
缪氏云。性味散而不收。略无补益。凡病气虚不能归元。血槁不能润降。（膈证等） 老
人娠妇及产后。咸忌。
〔修治〕 去粗皮。用姜汁拌浸。仍用姜渣同炒。以姜渣黑色为度。
The best quality *Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) comes from Jianping, Yidu, Zizhou, and Longzhou. The bark has a scaly, wrinkled texture. Those with thick flesh, purple color, and abundant juice are the most effective for medicinal use.
[Bark]
Taste: Bitter, pungent, slightly sweet. Nature: Greatly warm. The flavor and qi are both strong and dense; its substance is heavy and turbid. It belongs to Yin within Yang, and its action is descending. It enters the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian and the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.
Main indications: Warms the middle jiao and dissipates stagnant qi, removes distension and fullness. (Because its pungency lifts stagnant qi.) Resolves dampness stagnation in the stomach, treats cold reversal vomiting due to cold in the stomach, as well as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Treats cold-damp Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome), transforms food and fluids, stops acid regurgitation, removes cold accumulation. It can also be combined with other herbs to treat various heat-damp syndromes and dysentery. Although its nature seems toxic, it is actually non-toxic because it embodies the upright Yang qi. (Note by Zhongchun) *Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) calms the stomach and removes abdominal distension. However, if the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is deficient, even if there is distension, it should be used with caution. Misuse can deplete the person's Yuan Qi. It is only appropriate to use it alongside large hot herbs for cold-type distension, making it a miraculous herb for dispersing stagnation. (Note by Jiegu) For individuals with excess qi who mistakenly take Ginseng and subsequently experience distension, oppression, and wheezing, this herb is suitable to drain the excess. (Note by Danxi) When used together with *Aurantii Fructus Immaturus* (Zhishi, 枳实) and *Rhei Radix et Rhizoma* (Dahuang, 大黄), it drains excess fullness because bitterness can direct qi downward. When used with *Chenpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) and *Atractylodis Rhizoma* (Cangzhu, 苍术), it removes damp-fullness because warmth can benefit qi. When used with exterior-resolving herbs, it treats headache due to Shanghan (Cold Damage). When used with dysentery-treating herbs, it thickens the intestines and stomach. (Note by Haizang) *Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) is a pungent-hot and bitter-warm herb. Pungency can disperse nodules, bitterness can dry dampness, and warmth-heat can dispel wind-cold. All the syndromes it treats are essentially caused by rebellious and obstructed qi in the intestines and stomach, retention of phlegm-fluids, or consumption of cold/raw foods. Regarding its ability to benefit qi and thicken the intestines and stomach, this refers to the idea that when pathogenic factors are removed, healthy qi naturally benefits, and when accumulations are resolved, intestinal and stomach functions naturally strengthen. It does not possess tonifying effects beyond its dispersing actions. (Note by Zhongchun)
Formulas/Combinations:
Combined with *Chenpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), *Aurantii Fructus Immaturus* (Zhishi, 枳实), *Shenqu* (Massa Medicata Fermentata), Hawthorn, *Tsao-ko Fruit* (Caoguo, 草果), *Amomi Fructus* (Sharen, 砂仁), and Alum-processed Red Earth (Fan Hong), it treats food-stagnation abdominal distension.
Combined with *Atractylodis Rhizoma* (Cangzhu, 苍术), *Coptidis Rhizoma* (Huanglian, 黄连), *Chenpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Licorice, *Puerariae Radix* (Gegen, 葛根), and *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术), it treats diarrhea caused by heat-dampness.
Combined with *Arecae Semen* (Binglang, 槟榔), *Costi Rhizoma* (Muxiang, 木香), *Coptidis Rhizoma* (Huanglian, 黄连), Talcum, *Chenpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao, 白芍), and Licorice, it treats early-stage Li Xia (dysentery with tenesmus).
Combined with *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术), Ginseng, *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao, 白芍), and Poria, it reduces abdominal distension.
As an assistant to Ginger, *Chenpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), *Agastaches Herba* (Huoxiang, 藿香), *Amomi Fructus* (Sharen, 砂仁), and Pinellia, it stops vomiting due to stomach cold.
Combined with *Bupleuri Radix* (Sanleng, 三棱 - note: text says Sanleng, usually Curcuma zedoaria is Ezhu/Pengzhu, but sticking to text entity), *Curcumae Rhizoma* (Pengzhu, 蓬术), *Arecae Semen* (Binglang, 槟榔), Ginseng, and *Bupleuri Radix* (Qingpi, 青皮), it treats chronic cold masses and hard lumps.
Case Study:
A patient suffered from Changfeng Xiexue (Intestinal Wind bleeding), where bright red blood sprayed out during defecation, dripping continuously for years. The complexion was sallow, lower back and legs were sore, limbs were weak, and sexual function was impotent. This condition worsened because bitter-cold formulas had been taken for years to treat bleeding. First, a decoction was prepared and administered according to the formula. Later, the dosage was doubled to make pills, which proved effective.
Formula: Ginger-processed *Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex* (Jiang Houpo, 姜厚朴) 5 qian, *Massa Medicata Fermentata* (Shenqu, 神曲) 1 qian, Earth-fried *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Tu Chao Baizhu, 土炒白术) 1 qian, Fried Malt (Chao Maiya, 炒麦芽) 1 qian, North Five-flavor Berry (Bei Wuwei, 北五味) 1 qian (baked and powdered), plus 49 grains of aged yellow rice. Decoct two bowls of water until reduced to 0.8 bowl. Take on an empty stomach.
Most cases of Intestinal Wind bleeding are due to deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach failing to control blood; this formula is effective. Even for drinkers with bleeding due to damp-heat pouring downward, this formula is effective.
Commentary: Using *Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) to assist tonics like Ginseng and *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术) resolves stagnation caused by tonification to reduce distension; this principle is sound. However, in this formula, *Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) is used as the Sovereign herb. *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术) merely aids transportation, and Five-flavor Berry slightly astringes leakage. Combined with digestive herbs, it achieves efficacy in treating bleeding. One may reflect on its application here.
[Discussion]
Plants that do not shed leaves in the four seasons either derive from pure Yin or pure Yang. *Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) has a bitter-pungent taste and red-acrid nature, belonging to pure Yang wood. Its bitter taste corresponds to red flowers and purple bark, meaning flavor returns to form. Its purple-red form corresponds to warm qi, meaning form returns to qi. One cannot fail to recognize its pure Yang nature's ability to disperse nodules. (The qi of Heaven and Earth becomes Yang-excess and Yin-deficient in summer. This is natural in Qi transformation, not a deviant pathogenic qi. The "pure Yang" of *Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) derives from this qi. Its ability to scatter Yuan Qi is like the extreme release in summer, not implying excessive pungent-heat.) Bitterness can drain downward. If bitterness follows warmth, it does not drain downward but warms and disperses. As Lu Shi stated, moving from inside to outside, executing the expansive command of summer. If bitterness combines with cold, it drains directly downward, as seen with *Aurantii Fructus* (Zhike, 枳壳). The generation and transformation of Qi occur in the Central Earth (Spleen/Stomach). This taste is bitter with slight sweetness, so it directs straight to the Central Earth to disperse stagnant qi. Because bitterness follows warmth, it can disperse at the Qi level. For diseases caused by cold-damp pathogens, it is indeed a specific remedy. For heat-damp diseases, although bitter-cold herbs clear heat and dry dampness, borrowing this bitter-warm herb to disperse stagnation is also effective. Early philosophers first emphasized removing distension and fullness. Only distension without pathogenic factors (deficiency type) should not be mixed indiscriminately. For cold-damp excess pathogens, it is the correct treatment. Even for heat-damp diseases, such as those from rich food accumulation or external constraint-heat, it is excess distension. In bitter-cold formulas, *Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) can be borrowed to remove it. If Middle Qi is deficient while suffering from heat-damp, one must examine whether deficiency or excess predominates, and consider the duration to determine the ratio of attacking and tonifying. In such cases, this herb cannot be omitted. If there are many bitter-cold herbs to eliminate pathogens but few to strengthen the Spleen, using this herb to scatter heat-damp stagnation prevents bitter-cold herbs from attacking directly without dispersing. Conversely, if there are many bitter-sweet herbs to strengthen the Spleen but few to clear heat, using this herb transforms the sudden influx of tonification, preventing bitter-sweet herbs from being directly absorbed. (Heat-damp should not be treated with purely sweet herbs; deficiency with heat-damp requires bitter-sweet combinations.) Extending this logic to other syndromes, whenever *Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) is applicable, the principle remains the same.
*Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) tastes bitter initially, slightly sweet in the middle, and finally pungent. The intent is not pungency, but the residual intensity of bitter-warmness, commonly described as a numbing sensation. Therefore, it is processed with Ginger, similar to the processing of Pinellia. Thus, *Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) disperses nodules via bitter-warmness, whereas *Aurantii Fructus* (Zhike, 枳壳) drains stagnation via bitter-coldness. Qi rises and is tonified by warmth-heat; severe bitterness disperses within this rising-tonifying process. Qi descends and drains via coolness-cold; severe bitterness guides within this descending-draining process. Therefore, the treatment with *Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) is suitable for cold or damp conditions, while *Aurantii Fructus* (Zhike, 枳壳) is suitable for heat or dryness conditions. Each should be matched to its corresponding pathology. Applying *Magnoliai Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 厚朴) to dry-heat stagnation might still achieve results through counter-treatment. However, applying *Aurantii Fructus* (Zhike, 枳壳) to cold-damp means directing downward qi further downward, which is not only ineffective but harmful.
Mu Shi said: Its nature and flavor are dispersing and not astringent, lacking any tonifying effect. It is contraindicated for conditions where Qi is deficient and cannot return to its origin, or Blood is dry and cannot moisten and descend (such as Ge Zheng / Diaphragmatic Syndrome). It is strictly forbidden for the elderly, pregnant women, and postpartum women.
[Processing]
Remove the rough outer bark. Mix with Ginger Juice and soak. Stir-fry together with Ginger residue until the ginger residue turns black.