Library

Nature is cold, flavor is bitter. The qi and flavor are both dense. It sinks and descends, belonging to Yin. It enters the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) Meridian. It serves as a guiding herb for the Foot Taiyang (Bladder) Meridian. Its nature belongs to Metal but possesses characteristics of Water and Fire. (Zhu Danxi) It primarily clears excess fire in the Bladder (Xiang Huo - Ministerial Fire residing in Liver/Kidney), tonifies insufficiency of Kidney Water, strengthens the Kidneys, and solidifies bone marrow. It treats male impotence and various disorders of the Lower Jiao caused by damp-heat. Huangbai grows in soil, reaching several zhang in height, gathering Yang Qi to generate internal heat syndromes. Its nature can be subdued by dampness or extinguished by water. For such conditions, herbs like Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) are used to directly subdue the fire. The so-called Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire) is Heavenly Fire, also known as Dragon-Lei Fire. (Because fire emerges from water, it is named so.) It is also Yin Fire. It is an indispensable herb in damp-resolving formulas. (Furthermore) Whenever pathogenic heat resides in the Blood aspect of the Lower Jiao, with patients not feeling thirsty and having... [text fragment] sensation of energy surging in the feet and knees. Combined with Cangzhu (Atractylodes Rhizome)... Huangbai is indeed a Kidney herb, however... below, assisted by Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Gouqi (Goji Berry), Dihuang (Rehmannia Root), and five other herbs. It can be combined with Zhudanshi (Swine Gallbladder Bile) and Shuiyinfen (Mercuric Oxide Powder) to treat various hot-toxic insect sores that fail to heal for a long time; combined with Qiandan (Lead Tetroxide), it generates flesh and stops pain; combined with Mugua (Chaenomeles Fruit), Fuling (Poria), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Cangzhu, Shihu (Dendrobium Stem), and Dihuang, it removes dampness and strengthens walking; assisted by Baishao (White Peony Root) and Gancao (Licorice Root), it treats abdominal pain due to fire-heat, Zangdu (visceral toxin), hemorrhoids and fistulas, and continuous bleeding. Use Chuan Huangbai, soaked thoroughly respectively in honey, human milk, and rice wash water, then roasted dry, cut, and ground into powder. Form pills using Linmi fan (stored rice flour). Take thirty to fifty pills each time on an empty stomach with warm wine. Use thick-skinned, yellow-colored Cui Gen (Cinnamomum bark? Context suggests Huangbai root bark), stir-fried with honey until charred, ground into powder. Roast garlic until soft, peel... take thirty to fifty pills with rice drink, three times daily. Qingxin Wan (Clear Heart Pill) treats persistent nocturnal emissions, palpitations, and mental confusion. One qian, formed into pills the size of wutong seeds with refined honey. Take fifteen pills each time, washed down with Maidong (Ophiopogon Decoction). (Master Dazhi) Fengsui Formula: Gancao (Licorice Root) five qian, is a wonderful formula for clearing ministerial fire and benefiting Kidney water. For hot sores, one liang of Huangbai powder, lightly...

[Discussion] Zhu Danxi stated that Huangbai has the efficacy of tonifying Yin and clearing fire. However, it should not be used if it is not fire within Yin. The so-called Yin fire is fire within water, which is the root of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) in the human body. It should be warmed and nourished, not cleared with cold herbs. If congenital Yuan Yin deficiency leads to blazing Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire), relying solely on this herb is insufficient for relief. Only when acquired Qi and Blood are damaged by the Six Excesses or Seven Emotions, thereby affecting Yuan Yin, does Yuan Yin become injured. When Yuan Yin is injured, Water cannot coordinate with Fire, and Yuan Yang lacks Yuan Yin as its residence. Thus, Shao Huo (Lesser Fire) transforms into Zhuang Huo (Exuberant Fire), causing illness throughout the San Jiao (Triple Burner) Original Qi. This is what is meant by "Yin deficiency leads to lack of Qi." This herb originates from Northern Cold Water. By leveraging the principle of similar energies seeking each other, it assists Yin, thereby subduing Yang. (As Danxi said, "subduing it according to its nature"). Assisting Yin to nurture Yang allows Qi to feed on Shao Huo, restoring Yuan Qi, strengthening Kidney Yang, and solidifying bone marrow. Therefore, it can treat Wei Jue (flaccidity and coldness) of the Lower Jiao. Not only that, whenever Yin is damaged and Yang becomes hyperactive, the hyperactive Yang inversely erodes Yin. Syndromes such as bone-steaming fever, nocturnal emission, and blood loss all rely on this herb as a key remedy. Regarding the treatment of damp-heat, referring to the *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*'s mention of "accumulated heat in the Five Zang organs and intestines/stomach," this can be understood. Earth and Water combine virtue to establish the land, and the three regions of the Stomach all root in the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). If Kidney Yin Qi is insufficient, heat accumulates in the Stomach. Stomach stagnation and accumulated heat prevent the Yin Qi of Damp Earth from transforming, leading back to dampness pathology. This indicates that Yin Qi insufficiency spreads from Kidney to Spleen. When Kidney and Spleen diseases combine, many disorders of the Five Zang and intestines/stomach arise from damp-heat. The jaundice, intestinal hemorrhoids, diarrhea, dysentery, and leukorrhea listed in the *Ben Cao Jing* are indeed diseases of damp-heat. Even the flaccidity, paralysis, and coldness of the Lower Jiao are rarely without involvement of Central Earth dampness. Danxi's principle of treating Wei syndrome by exclusively focusing on Yangming (Stomach/Spleen) is precisely for this reason. Thus, from Danxi's phrase "subduing it according to its nature," we know that using Huangbai is not about Water overcoming Fire, but Water nourishing Fire. From Danxi's meaning of "treating Wei syndrome by exclusively focusing on Yangming," we know that using Huangbai is not merely to allow Kidney Yin to reach the Stomach, but also to enable Stomach Yang to transform within the Kidney. (Because where heat is accumulated, Stomach Yang cannot transform; when Kidney Yin reaches the Stomach, Stomach Yang transforms). Since Kidney combines with Spleen, why is responsibility placed on the Stomach? Generally, Cui Pi (Huangbai bark) delivers Kidney Yin to the Spleen. The Spleen then acts to transport the Qi of the Three Yang and Three Yin meridians for the Stomach, clearing the accumulated heat in the intestines and stomach. Although the Spleen transports the Qi of the Three Yang and Three Yin for the Stomach, the organ capable of transporting the Qi of the Three Yang and Three Yin is attributed to the Stomach. Hence, responsibility is placed on the Stomach. Furthermore, Yuan Yin is the mother Qi of acquired Ying Blood. Therefore, Danxi's Jiuchao Mo (wine-fried powder) called Qianxing San (Hidden Walking Powder) entering the Blood aspect is most exquisite. Luo Zhouyan said: There is congenital Yuan Qi Yin, which is endowed by the mother Qi of Kidney Water, being the Qi of Yuan Essence. Its true Yin essence is deeply hidden within the Left Kidney, while its subtle function operates silently within spirit and mind; this is termed formless. Acquired Yuan Qi Yin is the mother Qi of Ying Blood transformed in the body, which is the congenital formable Yuan Qi Yin. This is also the natural truth endowed by Heaven. Its substance hides within the Spleen and Stomach, manifesting transformation at the Renying pulse point. Thus, its pulse appears in the Heart region, and its function manifests in the Blood. He also said: If Yuan Yin is not severely damaged, but the formable Kidney Water Yin is suddenly injured, causing Xiang Huo to move and attack the Yin Essence division, resulting in disease, the method of Zhibai Dihuang Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, Rehmannia Pill) to nourish Yin and descend fire can be freely used. However, regarding the mother Qi in Kidney Water, if the congenital Yuan Yin essence is injured, leading to rootless deficient fire pathology, administering this herb recklessly will inevitably damage Yuan Qi and sever vital energy. Observing both discussions together, what is meant by damaging Yuan Yin is damaging the essence that generates the body and the mother Qi of Kidney Water. Sudden injury to Kidney Water Yin results from disease in acquired Qi and Blood, suddenly injuring the mother Qi of formable Ying Blood. Essentially, Kidney Water Yin is the mother of Ying Blood. This distinction is extremely accurate. Thus, the appropriateness of using Huangbai will not be erroneous, avoiding long-term use causing cold in the middle, nor withholding it when needed, ensuring the prescription hits the disease.

Mou Shi stated: For individuals with both Yin and Yang deficiency, complicated by weak Spleen and Stomach, or diarrhea and aversion to cold, upper heat and lower cold, and urinary incontinence, these cases are all contraindicated.

[Differentiation and Treatment] Those produced in Shu (Sichuan) with bark thickness of two to three fen and bright yellow color are superior. Raw use reduces excess fire; cooked use does not injure the Stomach; wine-processing treats the upper body; salt-processing treats the lower body.